Two candidates in the rector election at the University of Liège (2026)

Elected by universal suffrage weighted by the university community, the next Rector of ULiège will take office for a four-year term starting on October¹, 2026.

Following the decree of November 21, 2013, relating to rectoral elections at the University of Liège and the University of Mons, the entire university community (academic, scientific, and administrative staff, as well as students, representing approximately 30,000 voters) is invited to vote on Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16, 2026, for the rector election. 

Voting will be based on a weighted universal suffrage system, with academic staff votes counting for 65%, scientific staff votes for 10%, administrative staff votes for 10%, and student votes for 15%.

Voting will be conducted electronically in private booths.

To be elected, candidates must obtain more than 50% of the weighted votes cast. A valid vote is a vote in favor of a candidate or "for no one" (blank votes are not counted). If no candidate achieves this majority after the first round, a second round will be held on Wednesday, May 6, and Thursday, May 7, 2026.

The position of Rector is open to any full professor at the University of Liège who enjoys civil and political rights.

Candidates for the 2026 rectoral election 

The Electoral Commission, which met on March 11, declared the two nominations received to be valid (subject to any appeals), listed here according to the order determined by the Electoral Commission:

• Damien ERNST, full Professor at the School of Engineering 
• NYSSEN Anne-Sophie, full Professor at the Faculty of Psychology, Speech Therapy, and Educational Sciences

The rector election campaign is now underway. Official information sessions for the university community will be organized before the first round of elections.

Find out more about the rector election (access restricted to the ULiège community)