History of the University of Liechtenstein

Since 1985, the areas of professional education and technology and knowledge transfer have been continuously expanded, and the Evening Technical College evolved into the Liechtenstein School of Engineering (LIS). In 1992, LIS was recognised by the state as a university of applied sciences and the Department of Information Systems was established. In 1997, LIS was transformed into the University of Applied Sciences Liechtenstein as a foundation under public law. The state and business organisations continued to act as its sponsors.

As part of the strategic reorientation, the technical disciplines of mechanical engineering and civil engineering were closed in 2002. The Department of Information Systems was gradually developed and expanded into the Department of Business with the Institutes of Entrepreneurship, Financial Services and Information Systems. In March 2002, the new university campus was opened in the renovated facilities of the former Spoerry textile factory in Vaduz.

In 2003, the SME Centre began its work as the first affiliated institute, followed in 2004 by the opening of KOFL (the Liechtenstein Institute for Economic Research) as another affiliated institute.

In February 2005, the University of Applied Sciences was transformed into the University of Liechtenstein of Applied Sciences (Act on the University of Liechtenstein of 25 November 2004).

In July 2008, the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein granted the University of Liechtenstein the right to offer doctoral degree programmes. On 1 September 2009, the Graduate School was opened, bringing together master’s and doctoral education under one institutional roof.

In November 2010, the Parliament adopted the Act on the University of Liechtenstein, which entered into force on 1 February 2011.