ABOUT THE SOCIETY 

The Oxford University Society of Belgium was launched in 1993 at the Brussels Residence of Britain’s Permanent Representative to the European Union, Sir John Kerr, in the presence of the University’s Chancellor, Lord Jenkins. It shares the aims of the parent organisation in Oxford while enabling Oxford alumni living in Belgium to maintain contact with the University and with each other.

The society consists of University of Oxford degree holders and students, or former and current faculty members of the university who hold links to Belgium: either as Belgian nationals, expats in Belgium, or anyone fond of Belgian culture.

This website will guide you on what we offer, how to keep up to date with the society’s activities and how to become a member.

WHAT WE DO 

OUSB offers a variety of different activities to suit the preferences of all its members. Most of our events are co-organised with the Cambridge Society of Belgium and we often benefit from the reciprocity of extended invitations for events organised by Ivy League alumni associations. Our major activities include:

Annual Dinner 

Our black tie annual dinner serves as an excuse to continue the spirit of mesmerising Oxford dinners. With Latin prayers substituted by excellent keynote speakers, we ensure that our annual dinners are not merely a social and culinary experience but also provide takeaway food for thought.

Oxbridge Mixers

Organised co-jointly with ‘The Other Place’, Oxbridge mixers involve informal pub/bar gatherings occurring on a ~bi-monthly basis. Join to meet fellow Oxbridge alumni and learn what brought them to Belgium.

Speakers Talks 

Throughout the year we organise a few meetings with distinguished guests who share insights about their work and life experiences. Our previous guests included Baroness Greenfield, Sir Jonathan Faull, Philip van Parijs and Heather Grabbe. Given the limited number of places at such events, the more intimate context allows more informal discussions, providing our members with a unique opportunity to ask insightful questions.

Croquet Match

Our annual Oxford vs Cambridge croquet match organised in picturesque Genval is an event not to be missed. Join us to be entertained by spectacular shots, blitzkrieg conversations, and jealous gazes of Cantabs as we take hold of the trophy.

Miscellaneous activities 

Besides the above-mentioned events, our society organises a variety of other activities. Some of our past events included a Christmas Carol singing evening, museum tours, pub meetings, and many others. Sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date!

KEEP UP-TO-DATE

Do you want to keep up-to-date with our activities? We have four main communications channels:

Mailing list

To join our mailing list, please join our Society. You will be automatically added to our newsletter upon becoming a paid-up member of the Society.

The OUSB mailing list is our main communications channel. We aim to update you on our events on a regular basis to make sure you won’t miss a registration deadline to our events or to those organised by our reciprocal alumni societies.

WhatsApp group

Click here to join our WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BFBRXKZXmoa6hNaGJYBDEK 

LinkedIn group

Our LinkedIn group serves to promote the most important events organised by our society. Join here to keep up to date. 

Facebook group

Join our Facebook group to be informed of the events organised or co-organised by our society or to post about events that may interest our members.