The meeting takes place in two historical buildings of Ghent University: the "Pand" and the "Aula". Both places are situated in the city center of Ghent and are on walking distance from each other. The lectures will be held in the Aula, the meals in the Pand.
Situation plan - Conference venue

The Aula

Street view of the Aula - Gevel van de Aula

In 1816, the Dutch administration chose Ghent as founding place for a higher education institute. Simultaneously, the city council felt it needed a building to host official festivities and decided to construct the Aula Academica in the city centre. The then unknown architect Louis Roelandt was appointed to design it. The first stone was laid in 1819 and the building was inaugurated in 1826.

Nowadays the heart of the Ghent University beats in the Aula. Here, the students receive their diploma, diverse colloquia and debates are organised, and numerous prominent people are entertained and honoured. The Aula is used as the logo of the Ghent University and, as such, truly symbolises the Alma Mater.

Some may have heard of the Aula Academica in a more artistic context. In 2000, during the open-air exhibition Over the Edges, the artist Jan Fabre clad the columns of the Aula with smoked ham. This piece of art, known as The Legs of Reason Skinned, seemingly transformed the pillars into limbs of red marble

The Aula consists of several spacious rooms that will allow a comfortable organisation of the different parts of the Conference. Registration will take place in the Academic Council Foyer, which will also house a permanent secretariat. The sessions will be held in the auditorium that can accommodate up to 400 attendees. In the adjacent Academic Boardroom, a parallel projection will be organised. In the Peristilium, coffee breaks will be held and there will be room for sponsor exhibitions. Wifi will be available for people bringing their portable.

Address
Aula Academica
Voldersstraat 9
9000 Gent

The Pand

"Het Pand" is a former Dominican monastery, located on the banks of the river "Leie". The oldest parts of this impressive building date from the 13th century. During five centuries it was extended and refashioned in different styles. Since its rehabilitation and restoration, finished in 1991, "Het Pand" has been offering a wide range of possibilities for the organisation of scientific congresses and cultural events. "Het Pand" houses some valuable collections, such as the rich ethnographical and archaeological collections of the university, the Museum for the History of Medicine, full-size photographs of paintings of Brueghel and Early Flemish Masters, and an interesting collection of stained glass.

Address
Het Pand
Onderbergen 1
9000 Gent