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Connect, share real expertise, and inspire the next generation of IT talent

After a great first edition, we’re running the 2nd International IT Week from March 8 to March 12, 2027.

Again, we’re skipping the dry, formal conference setup. Instead, we’re inviting academic and tech colleagues from across Europe and across the globe to our campuses in Kortrijk and Bruges for five days of practical teaching, good discussions, and solid networking. If you like sharing hands-on knowledge and connecting with global peers without corporate fluff, you’ll feel right at home.

Howest - International IT-week

Why join us?

We keep things approachable, valuable, and focused on real interaction:

Engage directly with students

Introduce your home institution and chat about exchange opportunities over informal drinks.

Share what you know

Host an interactive session, introduce a favorite tool or topic, and see how our students work with it.

Build your global network

Connect with international colleagues from Europe and worldwide who share your passion for quality education and tech.

Discover Kortrijk & Bruges

Get to know our host cities through relaxed, local social activities.

The Schedule

The week is split between two of our main locations: 3 days in Kortrijk to kick off, followed by 2 days in Bruges.

DayLocationFocus
Day 1 (Mon, Mar 8)KortrijkWelcome, campus tour & social evening
Day 2 (Tue, Mar 9)KortrijkVibe-Coding Hackathon
Day 3 (Wed, Mar 10)KortrijkGuest Workshops, Keynotes & International Fair
Day 4 (Thu, Mar 11)BrugesGuest Workshops, Keynotes & International Fair
Day 5 (Fri, Mar 12)BrugesWrap-up, takeaways & farewell lunch

International IT Week 2026 in pictures

Scroll through the photo album on Flickr to get a feel for the event.

Call for Workshops & Keynotes

Wednesday (Kortrijk) and Thursday (Bruges) are our core teaching days. To ensure various student groups benefit across both campuses, selected sessions will be scheduled twice (once on each campus).

We are looking for 2-hour interactive workshops or 45-minute keynotes aimed at our Bachelor and Associate Degree students (Software Dev, AI, Cybersecurity, XR, IoT, Web, or Full Stack).

  • Technical topics: Applied dives into frameworks, emerging tools, live demonstrations, ...
  • Professional & soft skills: Cross-border teamwork, presentation techniques, or navigating global tech work environments….
  • Dutch sessions welcome: Partners from Dutch-speaking regions are warmly invited to present in Dutch for our local student groups.

Ways to Get Involved

Vibe-Coding Hackathon (Kortrijk)

Vibe-Coding Hackathon (Kortrijk)

Take on a coaching role. Students work in mixed teams on short, practical tech challenges. You’re welcome to mentor, observe, or help guide their problem-solving process.

International Fair & Student Meetup (Wed & Thu)

International Fair & Student Meetup (Wed & Thu)

An informal drop-in session over drinks where you can talk with students about studying or interning at your institution.
Pro-tip: Bringing a bit of institutional swag or promotional material is often a hit with students.

Practical Details

Practicals

  • Dates: March 8 – March 12, 2027
  • Language: English (Dutch optional for specific sessions)
  • Who: Teaching and non-teaching staff from European and international partner and prospective partner institutions worldwide – we focus on IT people

Costs & Funding

  • Event Fee: None (participation is completely free).
    Optional social activities (eg brewery visit) are organized on a self-pay basis.
  • Travel & Stay: Covered by participants or their home institution.
  • Erasmus+ & International Grants: We encourage applying for Erasmus+ Staff Mobility grants through your home university. Non-Erasmus partners worldwide can check with their local international office for funding options.

Accommodation

Participants organize their own stay. Please wait for official confirmation of your application before booking travel or accommodation. Confirmed attendees will receive a recommended list of hotels in Kortrijk and Bruges.

Application Process

To keep the week personal and interactive, participation is capped at 20 guests (max. 2 per institution).

Quick Selection Turnaround

Once you submit a proposal, we will review it and respond within 10 days to confirm acceptance or suggest minor adjustments to align better with our curriculum.

Deadline: preferably before End of November 2026 (or sooner/later depending on acceptances)

Ready to submit your proposal?

Click the link below to access the application form:

Submit Your Candidate Proposal Here

Have questions beforehand?

If you'd like to test an idea or discuss your session topic before applying, feel free to reach out directly:

Contact Claudia Eeckhout

We look forward to the possibility of welcoming you to Belgium for what promises to be another unforgettable week of learning and connection.