History

From Leuven (1878) to Louvain-la-Neuve (1974)

Founded in 1878 on the initiative of the Brussels Scientific Society, the Louvain Agricultural College was attached to the University's Faculty of Science as an Agronomic Institute from 1892.

Its curriculum followed that of the official education system, comprising three years of study leading to the title of agricultural engineer.

In 1887, the Institute added a brewery college.

In 1895, however, the Louvain Agronomic Institute organised an optional fourth year of study, allowing students to specialise in Belgian agronomy, agricultural education, forestry, chemistry or agricultural industries.

This initiative was followed in 1897 by the official education system and enshrined and then extended by the Royal Decree of 8 April 1920, which extended the duration of studies to four years and provided for the above-mentioned specialisations, to which horticulture was to be added.

In 1923, a Royal Decree officially recognised the diploma of agricultural chemical engineer awarded for more than twenty years by the Louvain Agronomic Institute.

In 1934, this diploma was approved by the State and a new reform extended the duration of studies to five years.

The law of 27 June 1947 recognised that the degrees awarded by the State Agronomic Institutes or approved by the State were academic degrees. From then on, the syllabuses were laid down in the laws on the award of academic degrees and the syllabus for university examinations.

The gradual evolution of this integration into the University culminated in the recognition of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in 1965. Finally, the 1967 law completely modified the organisation of studies, defining the subjects of the programmes and allowing the creation of specific courses within the framework of the agronomic engineering and chemical engineering and agricultural industries diplomas. In application of the ‘Lebrun’ decree of 05 September 1994, the academic degrees awarded to our Faculty were changed to agricultural engineer and chemical and bioindustry engineer.

In 1974, the Faculty moved from Leuven to the Croix du Sud in Louvain-la-Neuve.

... and its evolution in the 21st century

In order to better present its many scientific activities, the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences changed its name. In 2001, it became the Faculty of Biological, Agricultural and Environmental Engineering. In the same year, the degrees of agricultural engineer and chemical and bioindustry engineer were changed and replaced by the single degree of ‘BIO-INGENIOR’. This change of degree was supported by a thorough reform of the course curricula, while ensuring a smooth transition between the old and new degrees.

This reform has been implemented gradually. Since 2005-2006, the new programme has been fully implemented for all five years of study.

In parallel with this internal reform, the Bologna reform began in the first year of the baccalauréat in 2004-2005. The first ‘Bachelor of Engineering Sciences: Bioengineering Orientation’ diplomas were awarded in June 2007.

In June 2009, the first graduates of the Master of Bioengineering: Agricultural Sciences, Master of Bioengineering: Chemistry and Bioindustries, and Master of Bioengineering: Environmental Sciences and Technologies were announced.

In September 2010, a new Master of Bioengineering: Management of Forests and Natural Areas was created to meet the needs of an ever-changing society.

In September 2014, the Faculty became the Faculty of Bioengineering.

Its deans:

• 2021 to date : Professor Christine Dupont
• 2016 - 2021 : Professor Philippe Baret
• 2013 - 2016 : Professor Yvan Larondelle
• 2009 - 2013: Professor Jacques Mahilon
• 2004 - 2009: Professor Bruno Delvaux
• 2000 - 2004: Professor Joseph Dufey
• 1995 - 2000: Professor Tomas Avella-Shaw
• 1990 - 1995: Professor Etienne Persoons
• 1987 - 1990: Professor Pierre André
• 1982 - 1987: Professor Frédéric Lints
• 1978 - 1982: Professor Louis De Backer
• 1974 - 1978: Professor José Degand
• 1972 - 1974: Professor Joseph Meyer
• 1970 - 1972: Professor Georges Bublot
• 1967 - 1970: Professor Raymond Antoine
• 1966 - 1967: Professor Albert De Vuyst