The Bruxelles-Capitale region has an exceptional number of higher education institutions, with four universities and their research laboratories, 15 elite schools and institutes, around 70,000 students and 10,000 scientific researchers. Instruments for the promotion of research are the Institute for the Encouragement of Scientific Research and Innovation of Brussels (IRSIB) and Research in Brussels (RIB). The strategic choices for the region's science policy relates to three key sectors: information and communication technology, life sciences and the environment.