HIVA-K.U.Leuven > About HIVA > History

History

2009

Henceforth the official name of the institute is HIVA-K.U.Leuven – Research Institute for Work and Society.

2007

In collaboration with Prevent vzw, HIVA again organises training courses on health, safety and welfare at work. ’Lucina Academy for Working Life’ is established for this purpose.

2005

HIVA is active in ten fields of research: Work and Organisation, Labour Market, Poverty and Social Integration, Civil Society and Social Economy, Migration, Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development, Education and Lifelong Learning, Development Cooperation, Welfare State, Housing.

1995

Restructuring into three research sectors: Education and Labour Market, Labour, and Social and Economic Policy. Later, the Sustainable Development research sector is added.

Mid-80s to 90s

Very sharp increase in the number of research assignments. The research topics largely reflect the social concerns: introduction of new technologies, unemployment, study of the labour market and employment measures, operation of public services, social security and the welfare state, the public sector, welfare issues, history of the Christian Labour Movement.

During this period, the first satellites emerge. In 1988, WEDEM (the Academic Documentation Centre for Ethnic Minorities) is founded. Later on, this centre is integrated into the Flemish Centre for the Integration of Migrants.

In 1991, the Interface Migrants is founded, forming the basis for the expansion of an Ethnic Minorities research sector.

In the same year, the Interface Employment, Labour and Training (WAV) is opened, as a strategic partnership between various university research groups.

In 1989, the Education and Training sector (HIVA training) moves to Kasteel de Maurissens in Pellenberg. This later becomes Lucina.

1974

Foundation of the new Higher Institute of Labour Studies (HIVA) as a strategic alliance between K.U.Leuven and the Christian Labour Movement.

HIVA aims to concentrate on the study of workers’ problems in a broad sense (including education, health care and use of leisure time). To this end, interdisciplinary research programmes will be set up and implemented.

Gradually, research expands and assignments, staff numbers and turnover all increase.

1966

Reform of the institute becomes imperative. As a result of the imminent split of Leuven University, the HIA is also divided into two independent departments. This leads to a lengthy transition phase.

From this period onwards, the degree programmes offered at the HIA are gradually phased out. The Institut Supérieur du Travail (IST) retains its ‘licence en sciences de travail’ (labour studies degree). The HIA focuses more closely on research.

1951

The inter-faculty Higher Institute of Labour (HIA) is founded, under the patronage of the Christian Labour Movement. It offers three degree programmes: social labour studies, labour organisation and industrial medicine.