KU Leuven is Europe’s most innovative university, says Reuters

The University of Leuven (KU Leuven) is at the number one spot on Thomson Reuters’ new list of Europe’s Most Innovative Universities, compiled by the media giant’s Intellectual Property & Science division. Ghent University (UGent) ranked 22nd, while the Free University of Brussels (VUB) just squeaked in to the top 50.

KU Leuven reached first place because of its high volume of influential inventions, said Reuters in a statement. “Its researchers submit more patents than almost any other university in Europe, and outside researchers frequently cite KU Leuven inventions in their own patent applications.”

The news agency also praised KU Leuven’s work in microelectronics, nanotechnology and ICT systems. An special mention went to its Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, which recently proved that an experimental antiviral drug designed to fight hepatitis C slows down the development of the Zika virus.

KU Leuven was also one of the first European universities to structurally invest in the valorisation of scientific research via the tech transfer office KU Leuven Research & Development established in 1972. “This helped the university spin off more than 100 companies across a range of industries,” said Reuters.

UGent’s place on the list has to do with its two science parks “that bring university research labs and private companies – including Siemens, Renson and Mitsubishi Electric – together to collaborate”. It mentions the university’s number of spin-offs, technology licensing agreements and research collaborations.

VUB impressed, meanwhile, with its 150 research groups and its new Brussels Human Robotic Research Centre, BruBotics.

The European ranking is a first for Reuters, though KU Leuven came in 16th place on its last global ranking. Although the Imperial College London was the only European university ahead of KU Leuven in the global ranking, it has now fallen one place behind it in the new European ranking. The University of Cambridge rounds out the top 3.

Photo courtesy KU Leuven