Sina Vogt has successfully completed her three-year commercial apprenticeship at the university and now holds the professional title Kauffrau FZ (Qualified Commercial Employee).

The graduation ceremony took place in a festive setting at the BZB in Buchs, where around 150 apprentices received their diplomas. About 30% of the graduates come from the Principality of Liechtenstein; this year, 50 graduates received their certificates of competence from Minister Dominique Hasler.

We are delighted with Sina's achievement and congratulate her wholeheartedly. Following her apprenticeship, Sina will continue her education by attending the vocational baccalaureate school (BMS).

Liechtenstein has the highest association density in the German speaking region. The leading field of activity is culture and music.

The Center for Philanthropy at the University of Liechtenstein has, for the first time, recorded the associations active in Liechtenstein and analysed their areas of activity. According to the findings, Liechtenstein has a higher association density than Switzerland, Austria and Germany. Most of the 851 associations operating in Liechtenstein are active in culture and music, followed by sport and exercise and leisure and social activities. Other major fields include social affairs and professional representation of interests and environment, nature conservation, animal welfare. In total, 17 fields of activity were recorded, including school and kindergarten, health care and accident, rescue service, volunteer fire brigade.

Most of the associations active in Liechtenstein are based in Vaduz (227), followed by Schaan (118) and Mauren or Schaanwald (96). The study also identified 16 Swiss and one Austrian association in which people from Liechtenstein also engage in matters concerning Liechtenstein.

“Formal voluntary work in associations makes a significant contribution to social cohesion. The high level of association activity in Liechtenstein is therefore a positive sign of the great importance of civic engagement in the Principality,” says Prof. Dr. Marc Gottschald, Director of the Center for Philanthropy at the Liechtenstein Business Law School.

According to the study, 72 per cent of the associations pursue charitable purposes. This high proportion also demonstrates, says Gottschald, the great importance of voluntary work for the benefit of civil society.

As only around four out of ten associations are entered in the commercial register, the researchers led by study director Michael Nenning had to consult several additional sources in order to obtain a complete picture of the association landscape in the Principality. This is now available for the first time, with the reporting date of 31 December 2023.

From June 13 to 15, 2024, 55 doctoral candidates and professors from southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland gathered at the University of Liechtenstein for the International Doctoral Seminar, following an invitation by Marco Menichetti, Dean of the Liechtenstein Business School and Professor of Sustainable Finance.

The IDS (International Doctoral Seminar) has been hosted annually for many years by different universities. The last time it was held at the University of Liechtenstein was in 2011. Since then, the event has continued to evolve and has become an important platform for emerging researchers in the field of finance.

Dedicated entirely to banking and financial research topics, the event offered a space for presenting and discussing current research findings. This year’s program featured 13 presentations, including two contributions from doctoral candidates at the University of Liechtenstein: Lukas Salcher addressed the challenges of predictability in finance in his talk “Lost in Translation: How Predictability Turns into Performance,” while Merlin Bartel explored the global dimension of financial factors in “How Global is Factor Predictability?”

A highlight of the seminar was the joint dinner on Friday evening, which welcomed key representatives from the financial industry: David Gamper, Managing Director of the Liechtenstein Investment Fund Association (LAFV), Fredy Wolfinger, President of the Association of Independent Asset Managers in Liechtenstein (VUVL), and Simon Tribelhorn, Managing Director of the Liechtenstein Bankers Association, contributed their perspectives and presented the Liechtenstein financial center.

Marco Menichetti emphasized the importance of connecting academic research with real-world practice. He noted that engaging with leading industry practitioners can motivate and inspire young researchers. According to Menichetti, events like these not only support academic growth but also encourage the discussion of practical questions and the development of innovative solutions.

The International Doctoral Seminar at the University of Liechtenstein once again demonstrated the value of collaboration between universities. Such events not only support young academics but also strengthen ties to the industry. The resulting partnerships and networks are invaluable for the future of financial research.

The University of Liechtenstein is pleased to announce that thirteen students have once again successfully completed the certificate program "Blockchain and FinTech." In a festive graduation ceremony held on June 7, the certificates were presented to the graduates by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Martin Angerer, the program director, and Jonas Gantenbein from Bank Frick.

The certificate program is offered by the Bank Frick Innovative Finance Lab, a collaboration between the University of Liechtenstein and Bank Frick. The program imparts the latest knowledge and skills in dealing with disruptive and promising technologies in the financial industry. During the ceremonial certificate presentation, the top students of the class were also honored. In addition to Ricarda Mauch, the award was given to Sven Lagger, who then delivered the traditional student address.

“The Blockchain and FinTech certificate program at the University of Liechtenstein, with a special focus on finance, has become widely known far beyond the Rhine Valley and attracts participants from across the German-speaking region each year. Liechtenstein plays a pioneering role here, and the training to become a Blockchain and FinTech specialist offers outstanding future opportunities for our participants,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Martin Angerer, head of the program.

Long-Term Partnership and Cutting-Edge Knowledge

The program is part of a long-standing cooperation between the university and Bank Frick. The organizers view this course as a key success factor for the local financial center and the development of specialized professionals.

“The unique combination of knowledge from the disciplines of finance, fintech, and blockchain is invaluable for the Liechtenstein financial sector. The certificate program skillfully bridges the gap between today's established financial world and the innovations of tomorrow. It is extremely difficult to find qualified professionals in this field, which is why this program is so important,” said Jonas Gantenbein from Bank Frick.

The program provides high-quality knowledge about the opportunities, potential, and challenges of blockchain and other emerging financial technologies. It maintains a balanced mix of instructors from academia and industry experts. The course content is continuously updated to reflect the latest developments in this disruptive field and academic progress.

In addition to a new round starting in January 2025, next year will also see the launch of an advanced certificate program offering deeper dives into various topic areas. Detailed information and registration options will soon be available again on the university's website: https://uni.li/innovative-finance.