The development steps from 1961 from the Abendtechnikum to the Liechtenstein School of Engineering (LIS) and the University of Applied Sciences to the University have found their continuation in the last ten years as a university. Today, the University of Liechtenstein positions itself as an internationally accredited and networked educational and research institution with strong roots in the country and the Lake Constance region. The University of Liechtenstein is strategically well positioned and an indispensable partner for business and society as an innovation center for shaping the future, emphasize those responsible. Through the high quality of its offerings, it strengthens the prosperity, attractiveness, and international reputation of Liechtenstein and the region. "I am particularly pleased to have helped drive and implement the development of the University of Liechtenstein as head of government and to be its president today," Klaus Tschütscher, president of the University Council, says on the occasion of the anniversary and hopes for an appropriate celebration later in the year. Until then, the University of Liechtenstein presents ten selected facts from the last 10 years:
World's first RIBA accreditation at all program levels.
During a process lasting several years, the Institute of Architecture and Planning at the University of Liechtenstein underwent an audit by the renowned British accreditation agency RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects). In November 2018, the Institute became the first and only institution worldwide to receive RIBA accreditation for all program levels (BSc, MSc and PhD).
Students: Half stay in the region
In August 2019, the University of Liechtenstein conducted an evaluation that underscores the institution's importance to the local economy: it showed that around a quarter of students remain in Liechtenstein after completing their education or training, and another quarter remain in the Rhine Valley.
Experiencing internationality
With students from about 60 nations, more than 100 cooperations with excellent universities, about 120 mobilities of exchange students per year, Erasmus+ projects awarded by AIBA together with European partners, intercultural offers on campus, and also the design of the Liechtenstein presentation at the Venice Biennale, the University of Liechtenstein contributes to the international reputation of the country.
Campus Talks
Since 2014, the Campus Talks have been a series of events for the public, in which experts and the public examine and discuss socially relevant topics from different angles.
More students
As of the cut-off date of November 15, 2020, the University of Liechtenstein had 707 students in consecutive study programs, the highest number since its inception.
From research container to base camp
With funding of more than 3.8 million euros from the European Union, the "Fluidglass" project to develop an active solar thermal façade was the University of Liechtenstein's highest-funded research project to date. After being redesigned by students, the test container with an adjustable, transparent shading system including a heating/cooling system and solar collector served as the "Basecamp Vadozner Huus", a temporary platform for various event formats on the parking garage at the market square.
New offerings for new topics
The technological and social developments of the last ten years are reflected in new continuing education offerings at the University of Liechtenstein, which combine the expertise gained from the research conducted with practical relevance and implementation. These include, for example, certificate programs on digital finance industry law, compliance, or blockchain and FinTech.
Entrepreneurial university
From the long-standing business plan competition to support and accompany new business ideas, the "Startup Platform" was recently developed under joint sponsorship with the government to optimize business models with the support of experts. In the 2018 GUESSS study on the entrepreneurial orientation of students, the University of Liechtenstein took a top position for the sixth time in a row. It thus lives up to its mission of offering the best conditions for business founders.
Recognition by the business community
The establishment of new endowed chairs, most recently on cyber security, the awarding of prizes (Banking Award, prizes from Hilti and LIA at the graduation ceremony, I&F Award) or the granting of scholarships to excellent students, the support of events and the cooperation in a number of projects express the recognition of the university's achievements. These partners include the Banking Association, Hilti AG, LGT, Bank Frick, Peter Marxer Lecture Foundation and many more.
Students shape the campus themselves
In the course of the last ten years, students have also taken a close look at their campus environment and remodeled a seminar room themselves for unusual forms of teaching and learning. The new, striking model-making workshop was also designed and built by students in the summer semester of 2017. And the "solar tree" landmark in front of the Spoerry site, including photovoltaic systems, was also originally designed by students. With around 1000 m2 of module surface, the University of Liechtenstein covers around half of its annual electricity requirements by generating renewable energy.
