The institution in the Belgian city hopes that the Joinby community app will give students who are looking for connection a helping hand.

“After a lonely and difficult period, we now want to fully focus on meeting our students at the start of the new academic year,” said Veerle Hendrickx, general director at KdG.

“Gaming, studying, cooking together, going for a walk, going to the theatre or a cafe, exchanging reading or music tips… it’s all possible.

“The app allows new students to look for a buddy who will guide them through Antwerp’s student life”

“The app allows new (including international) students to look for a buddy who will guide them through Antwerp’s student life. Some study programs use the app to assign a godfather or godmother to their new students.”

Users can search for other students based on shared interests. Since September, almost 1,300 KdG students have already registered to meet each other.

“Students of KdG should have a place where they are safe and feel always welcome,” Benno Nekeman of Joinby said.

“Opening a private community by the university is a scalable answer to facilitate students in need, by peer to peer contact.”

Via the app, students can join or create clubs or activities, as well as connect via a 1-on-1 chat function.

“We hope that the registrations will continue to flow in so that students can feel well surrounded again and can start the new academic year invigorated. And that this online environment, like our campuses, will become an open and vibrant meeting place,” Hendrickx added.