Every four years KU Leuven organizes Rectorial elections. Until Wednesday 29 March professors could officially declare their candidacies to the chair or the secretary of the Electoral Committee. This has produced two candidates.

Luc Sels

Professor Luc Sels has been dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics since 2009. In 1989 he obtained his licentiate’s degree in social sciences. He obtained his doctoral degree in social sciences in 1995. The following year he became assistant professor at the Faculty of Business and Economics. He has been full professor since 2004.

Rik Torfs

Professor Rik Torfs has been Rector of KU Leuven since 2013. In 1979 he obtained his licentiate’s degree in law. One year later he obtained his licentiate’s degree in notarial studies and in 1981 the licentiate’s degree in canon law. In 1987 he obtained his doctoral degree in canon law. He became assistant professor of canon law in 1988 and full professor in 1996.

First voting round on 9 May 2017

The electoral campaign starts on 18 April. The candidates will have the opportunity to present their CV and programme on the Rectorial election website. They will also enter into debate with each other. The dates and venues for the debates will be announced in the coming weeks.

The first voting round will take place on 9 May. Senior Academic Staff, teaching staff, assistants, researchers, administrative and technical staff, and students will be able to cast their vote, which will be possible on most KU Leuven campuses. The candidate to receive the absolute majority of the validly cast votes in the first round is elected, on condition that 50% of the Senior Academic Staff members have voted.

If the first round does not produce a winner a second round will be held on Tuesday 16 May followed by a third one on Tuesday 23 May if necessary. The Rector-elect will take office on 1 August.