Solvay Business School

Ernest Solvay founded the Commerce school

In 1903, Ernest Solvay founded the Commerce school Solvay. It was set at the Cité des Sciences (Parc Léopold), although it was part of the Free University of de Brussels (ULB).

Pioneering business courses

Ernest Solvay's ambition was to train men capable of management and entrepreneurs through a rigorous (non-technical) university education on the lines of the pioneering business courses that were beginning to emerge towards the late 19th, early 20th century in Germany and the United States.

Economic and social disciplines

Respecting the founder's objectives, the programme has always insisted on introducing to business a true elite, capable of mastering not only the economic and social disciplines, but also the sciences (mathematics, chemistry and physics). That is why the strict regime at the business school has marked generations of students. Besides the diversity of course contents, the business school has another striking characteristic: the diversity of its faculty staff, uniting academics and practitioners, scientists, experts and businessmen.

Solvay Business School today

In 2003, the Ecole de Commerce Solvay, renamed Solvay Business School, has resolutely turned towards Europe and the world. It now teaches over 800 students in management engineering (the title of the degree has changed) who spend six months in a partner institution abroad. It also has nearly 800 students following numerous post-graduate courses corresponding to general or specialist management studies.
Issue: Belgium, 17 March 2003

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Stamps of Belgium
Postage Stamps 2003