VLIR-UOS, the Flemish funding body supporting academic partnerships with institutions in Africa, Asia and Latin America, has published a new report examining the economic costs and benefits of academic cooperation with the Global South. 

The independent study, conducted by Syspons and Orange & Teal, assessed the return on investment of all VLIR-UOS projects implemented between 2017 and 2021, focusing specifically on their secondary benefits for Belgium. The impact of these projects in the partner countries had already been assessed separately. 

Using a cost-benefit analysis, the study estimates that VLIR-UOS activities generated EUR 472.5 million in benefits for the Belgian economy, compared with total expenditure of EUR 220.7 million. This corresponds to a net benefit of EUR 251.8 million. The researchers stress that this is a conservative estimate, as several wider benefits of academic cooperation cannot readily be expressed in monetary terms. 

Overall, the findings point to a substantial return on investment of 2.1: for every euro invested, Belgium receives an estimated EUR 2.10 in return. The study therefore illustrates how impact in the Global South can go hand in hand with significant benefits for Belgium, highlighting six main areas achieving positive impact: 

• Research and teaching at Flemish higher education institutions (HEIs), including publications and doctoral degrees contributing to the allocation of research funding: EUR 21.3 million 
• Academic visibility and international positioning of Flemish HEIs, particularly through the recruitment of international students: EUR 207.4 million 
• Employability and career prospects of Belgian students participating in international cooperation activities: EUR 72.7 million 
• Direct and indirect economic effects, including expenditure and wider economic activity generated through the projects: EUR 171 million 
• Use of knowledge and networks by Belgian stakeholders: identified as a significant benefit but not monetised 
• Strategic diplomacy and alumni networks acting as connecting agents between Belgium and partner countries: likewise not monetised 

Beyond the aggregate figures, the study brings together dozens of concrete examples illustrating the mutually beneficial nature of academic cooperation. It shows that partnerships designed primarily to contribute to sustainable development and strengthen higher education and research capacity in the Global South can simultaneously generate substantial academic, economic and strategic value for Belgium.