Colonial University of Belgium

The Colonial University of Belgium (French: Université coloniale de Belgique, Dutch: Koloniale Hogeschool van België) was an institute of higher education located in Antwerp.

Founded in 1920, the institute was established to prepare students for a careers as colonial functionaries in the Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi.

In order to train future settlers for a (high) administrative function in the colony, the initiative was taken to found the École coloniale supérieure (Dutch: Hogere Koloniale School) by the Royal Decree of 11 February 1920 by Louis Franck, Minister of Colonies.

In 1923, the school was restructured to become the Université coloniale de Belgique (Dutch: Koloniale Hoogeschool van België (UNIVOG)).

The buildings near the Middelheim Open Air Sculpture Museum were officially inaugurated in November 1923 by King Albert I of Belgium.

The building of the former Colonial University currently serves as the rectorate of the University of Antwerp and seat of the Antwerp University Association . [ 1 ]