AI for everyone: VIVES organizes first large-scale AI professional development day in Flanders

May 27, 2026
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VIVES University of Applied Sciences recently brought more than 500 employees together for an organization-wide professional development day on artificial intelligence. With this initiative, VIVES is taking a deliberate step toward building AI literacy as a core competency and embedding a human-centered, safe, and responsible approach to digital transformation across the organization. Together with partners such as Microsoft and delaware, VIVES is translating AI ambition into concrete support for employees, with a strong focus on adoption, guidance, and everyday impact.

The AI adoption program is part of the leadership role that VIVES aims to take on as a higher education institution: an integrated and human-centered digital transformation in which the organization is deliberately investing in employee training, strengthening digital skills, and preparing employees and students for rapidly evolving times shaped by AI technology. In addition, VIVES is one of the first universities of applied sciences in Flanders to launch a large-scale program for the adoption of Microsoft 365 Copilot, including more than 100 licenses and structured professional development for employees, in collaboration with delaware.

This approach starts with the AI and Digital Literacy project group, a VIVES-wide initiative that brings together AI expertise from different teams. Supported by a broad sounding board group, the project group is working on a participatory AI program for the entire organization. This program led to the development of the Guiding Principles: nine guiding principles that clearly set out how VIVES aims to use AI consciously and responsibly, while keeping employees at the center.

One of the principles, “Let pioneers run; leave no one behind,” captures this approach clearly.

VIVES wants to give employees room to experiment and innovate, while also investing in broad professional development so everyone can keep pace. Initiatives such as the PRO Day serve as a starting point, with further development through targeted programs and community-based learning across the organization.

The PRO Day itself featured a broad mix of inspiring keynotes, workshops, demos, and hands-on sessions, with contributions from both internal experts and external speakers. Employees could also visit an information fair where AI-related research projects, among other topics, were presented.


Microsoft: a pioneer in AI adoption

Hermien Heveraet, Solutions Director Microsoft Belux, delivered a keynote on the power of AI adoption. She applauds the university of applied sciences’ innovative approach:

“As a pioneer, VIVES shows how a future-oriented educational institution can use Microsoft 365 Copilot effectively. By integrating AI into the heart of its professional operations, employees gain access to powerful tools that automate time-consuming processes and allow them to focus on what matters most: the students.”

Strategic goal toward 2030
Digital transformation at VIVES is not about technology itself; it is about empowering people. It is no coincidence that this is a strategic goal in our future plan toward 2030: by investing in digital skills and smart tools, we are building an agile community that can face the digital age with confidence. This professional development day is an important first step in that process.
Kathy Dewitte, General Director

delaware on guidance and adoption

As a partner, delaware also contributed with its own sessions and a keynote:

“Everyone in education is experimenting with AI today. But technology, however powerful it may be, is money wasted if you do not guide your people in adopting it properly. By managing this program professionally and focusing on targeted use cases, we are helping VIVES unlock the real value of Microsoft 365 Copilot and maximize the return on its investment.”

Anouk Thomas, Business Development Lead at delaware

With this integrated approach, VIVES is making digital transformation concrete and workable for every employee. In collaboration with external partners, the university of applied sciences will continue to invest in further professional development in the coming years, supported by the entire organization and aligned with the evolving needs of higher education.

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