When Laurence Mettewie talks about the projects she’s worked on with her students, the examples come one after another, and her passion is immediately evident in her words. “I’m always amazed and in awe of everything our students are capable of doing,” she says. “When you give them a framework, autonomy, and responsibilities, they’re able to surpass themselves.” 

She intends to maintain this close relationship with her students even as a new chapter in her career has begun. Laurence Mettewie joined UNamur in 2004, following an early career in teaching and a dissertation at the VUB, and has been teaching Dutch language and linguistics there ever since. After serving as the Faculty’s Erasmus coordinator for more than fifteen years and as director of the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures, she is now the new dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters. 

 

What was your career path before becoming dean?

Before college, I had the opportunity to teach Dutch to a wide variety of students. That experience taught me a great deal and continues to shape my teaching style to this day.  

Since then, I have continued my research in applied linguistics, closely linked to the teaching of Dutch, linguistics, and multilingualism, while also serving as the Faculty’s Erasmus coordinator. I have been actively involved in various committees, at the NaLTT Institute, and have served as department chair. It is this combination of experience in teaching, research, and service to society that makes me feel ready to take on this new role today. 

What will be your priorities as dean?

I want to help ensure that the Faculty, in all its diversity, remains a fulfilling place for everyone, with a focus on well-being and work-life balance. I also hope to support a Faculty that is bold and committed to scientific, educational, and societal advancement. 

It must remain accessible to students. We must guide them toward success while encouraging them to push their limits and believe in themselves. Furthermore, we will need to better highlight everything we do. Our academic programs, our research, and our contributions to society are incredibly rich, but the general public rarely imagines the full scope of what goes on in a Faculty of Philosophy and Letters.

What inspires you in the way you work?

Teamwork. A small idea can gradually grow into a wonderful educational, cultural, or scientific project. When we think together and share the work, we become more efficient and creative. We come up with solutions we probably would never have thought of on our own in front of a computer. 

Any final advice for your colleagues at UNamur?

Be bold, get involved, and engage in dialogue. Keep your door open so you can connect with colleagues from all departments. And dream! 

And don’t forget to maintain a healthy work-life balance. That’s also how you can excel in both areas.