This year, the programme explored Southeast Asia - a region experiencing rapid economic growth and playing an increasingly strategic role in global finance. This trip was more than just an academic excursion; it was an eye-opening experience that reshaped how students view wealth management and the evolving financial landscape in Asia.

Throughout the week, students engaged with leading institutions across the finance sector. From exploring alternative assets at Alta Group and gaining market insights at CGS International Securities Singapore to learning about relationship-driven strategies at VP Bank Asia and blended finance solutions at LGT Private Banking - each session enriched their understanding from multiple angles.

They also gained valuable insights from Equanimity® (Blockchain) Holdings Pte. Ltd., Raffles Family Office, Julius Baer, and Deutsche Bank, highlighting how traditional and modern finance converge in Singapore. The visit to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) provided a comprehensive overview of regulatory frameworks, digital currency initiatives, and financial transformation in the region.

At Orbis Advisory, PwC Singapore, and SGX Group, students explored the elements that position Singapore as a global financial hub. They were also honored to be hosted by the Honorary Consul Gerald Ong and members of the Embassy of Switzerland in Singapore, which emphasized the importance of diplomacy in international finance.

Each visit contributed uniquely to the richness of the journey, offering insights that expanded the learning and sparked meaningful reflection.

Why does true gender equality in the workplace often remain an unattainable goal? A new study reveals that deeply ingrained ideas about motherhood and fatherhood significantly influence family roles, ultimately disadvantaging women in their careers.

Associate Professor Dr. Lindsay Howe from the University of Liechtenstein, along with researchers from the University of Cardiff and the Institute for Voluntary Action Research, examined how entrenched gender roles shape everyday life for families in South Africa – with surprising findings.

The study, based on focus groups, ethnographic research, and innovative data collection using "Volunteered Geographic Information" (VGI), found that many people – regardless of gender – still perceive fathers primarily as "breadwinners." As a result, many fathers fulfill their parenting duties only in brief moments between professional obligations. The researchers call this phenomenon "parenthetical parenting," which further reinforces existing inequalities.

What makes this particularly concerning is that the gap between ideal and reality affects families across all social classes. While many fathers aspire to take a more active role in parenting, societal and economic structures often prevent them from doing so. At the same time, the bulk of caregiving responsibilities still falls on mothers – with far-reaching consequences for their professional development.

Published in the renowned journal The Professional Geographer, this study builds on previous research by the authors. In a Time Magazine article (https://time.com/6249410/secret-tax-women-time/), they explored the hidden costs women bear due to caregiving responsibilities. The new findings now highlight that the issue is not just about mothers but also the challenges faced by fathers who wish to be more involved.

One thing is clear: As long as these traditional gender roles persist, true equality will remain elusive. However, the study’s insights could pave the way for a fairer distribution of work and caregiving responsibilities.

More about the study: https://www.uni.li/de/forschung/forschungsaktivitaeten/veroeffentlichungen/publikationen/@@publication_detail/9837.67

Prof. Dr. Konstantina Papathanasiou, LL.M., from the Chair of Economic Criminal Law, Compliance and Digitalization, has served as a visiting professor at the Faculté Libre de Droit (Paris campus of the Université Catholique de Lille) since 2016, where she teaches a course on German Criminal Law each year.

This year, she once again spent a week in Paris, inspiring highly motivated fourth-semester students with her expertise in criminal law, while also contributing to the international visibility of the University of Liechtenstein.

This question is at the heart of a new case study challenge for students enrolled in the Executive LL.M. in Company, Foundation and Trust Law at the University of Liechtenstein. The initiative offers participants the chance to win a total of CHF 9,000 in prize money. It marks the official launch of the I&F Family Wealth Preservation Award—a joint initiative of the University of Liechtenstein and the Liechtenstein-based fiduciary company Industrie- und Finanzkontor Ets.

The I&F Family Wealth Preservation Award gives Executive LL.M. students a unique opportunity to gain deeper insights into Liechtenstein’s fiduciary sector. The award is structured as a competition in which students solve a practice-oriented case study involving multiple legal and strategic dimensions. This year’s task centres on a third-generation family business that must be restructured in a way that:

• ensures its continuity for future generations,
• allows ongoing management by family members,
• preserves decision-making authority within the family,
• enables adaptability to unforeseen external developments, and
• maintains strong family relationships.

The task highlights that successful wealth structuring goes beyond legal frameworks—it requires broader strategic thinking. The I&F Family Wealth Preservation Award promotes a vital exchange between academia and professional practice. Winners will be selected by an expert jury in December 2025, and their solutions will be presented to the public at a formal award ceremony on 26 January 2026.

Statement by I.D. Gisela Bergmann, Princess of Liechtenstein, CEO and Managing Director of Industrie- und Finanzkontor Ets.: “With the I&F Family Wealth Preservation Award, we aim to deepen the understanding of fiduciary work in Liechtenstein. The core task of a trustee is to assess complex asset situations from a comprehensive and objective perspective, and to structure wealth so that it can be preserved, purposefully managed, and transferred across generations. Fiduciary activity in Liechtenstein involves far more than simply establishing legal entities. Through the Award, we enable students to engage with the diverse requirements of fiduciary practice and raise awareness of its long-term responsibilities.”

Statement by Prof. Dr. Alexandra Butterstein, LL.M., Programme Director of the Executive Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Company, Foundation and Trust Law: “We are very pleased about the strong interest in the I&F Family Wealth Preservation Award, which for the sixth time offers our students the valuable opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to a real-world context. This chance to tackle a multifaceted, complex case from wealth structuring—both academically and practically—perfectly complements the Executive LL.M. The Award specifically prepares participants for the demands of long-term wealth preservation, a skillset essential to their future professional practice.”

The latest BEST RECRUITERS Study 2024/25 has, for the twelfth time, examined the recruiting quality of around 450 of the largest companies and institutions in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein—delivering a detailed and differentiated analysis.

On 2 April in Zurich, the latest recruiting trends were presented, and the BEST RECRUITERS in the region were honoured. With outstanding results across all categories, Helsana Versicherungen AG claimed the overall victory this year. Among the approximately 150 guests were HR professionals, executives from top employers, and advisory board members such as Prof. Dr. Marco Furtner, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Leadership at the University of Liechtenstein, and Kuno Ledergerber, former Head of the Center for Human Capital Management at ZHAW.

Hilti AG Ranked 8th Overall

Of the 31 industry champions, three are based in Liechtenstein:

• Hilti AG secured first place in the Industrial category,
• thyssenkrupp Presta AG led the Automotive category, outperforming Swiss competitors,
• Ivoclar Vivadent AG took the top spot in Pharma/Biotech/Medical Technology.

While TikTok and video content continue to gain ground and usability has made significant progress, the results for cybersecurity, leadership communication, and response time to applications were, in part, sobering.

Significant Weaknesses in Cybersecurity

Only 6% of career websites are technically secured against data breaches. Essential measures such as security headers or encrypted connections are absent in the vast majority—an alarming gap, especially amid rising data protection standards. In addition, mobile career sites are plagued by long loading times, which test the patience of users.

Over Half of Inquiries from Young Candidates Remain Unanswered

A fictional 17-year-old applicant sent an email requesting job shadowing or internship opportunities. Backed by a motivation programme through the Regional Employment Office (RAV), the message served as a test for responsiveness. 59% of companies did not respond, and only 29% replied within three working days—a dramatic drop of 32 percentage points compared to the previous year. By contrast, inquiries about application status saw significantly higher response rates in earlier scenarios.

Leadership Rarely Addressed in Job Ads

Only 2% of the job ads reviewed contained statements about leadership style. Just three in ten employers addressed leadership in various dimensions on their career sites. Fewer than 20% specifically referenced leadership training, and clear leadership principles were found on only 14% of websites. First-hand testimonials from leaders were present on just 4%—and those featured lacked diversity.

Video Content Booming, Social Media Widely Used

Today, 72% of career websites incorporate video. Job ads are also evolving, with one in five now including video content. Notably, three-quarters of the videos focus on actual job tasks and work environments, rather than purely image-building.

Instagram is used by 49% of employers, while TikTok has grown to 17%, up six percentage points. YouTube usage is also increasing. X (formerly Twitter) continues to decline and is now used by just 6% of employers. In contrast, LinkedIn remains nearly universally used. Less encouraging: community management lags behind, with interaction rates on LinkedIn and Instagram under 10%.

More Structure and Better Findability

The usability of online job ads has significantly improved (from 52% to 71%), partly thanks to the first-ever technical analysis of job platforms. The search engine visibility of mobile career websites has also been greatly enhanced—although load times remain problematic.

Top 3 Recruiters 2024/25 in the Principality of Liechtenstein

1. Hilti AG
2. thyssenkrupp Presta AG
3. Ivoclar Vivadent AG