01 - Liechtenstein - Historical overview
First endeavours to establish a university in Liechtenstein came from
external initiators during the 1930s. Some were German scientists who
hoped to found university institutions in Liechtenstein based on the
apparent foreshadowing of then-political developments in Germany.
Formally,
Liechtenstein only established its own size-compatible university
institutions in the tertiary education system in the mid nineteen
eighties and introduced a respective law regulating the issues
concerning universities of applied sciences, university and research
institutions in 1992.
Indeed, the existing universities and
university institutions offer a very limited range of studies and study
places for Liechtenstein’s youth which is far short of meeting the
needs. Therefore, Liechtenstein is heavily dependent on the
understanding and goodwill of its neighbouring countries. In connection
with the efforts regarding the recognition of university entrance
certificates issued in Liechtenstein Matura, agreements
to grant Liechtenstein’s students free acceptance to Swiss and Austrian
universities have been concluded with Switzerland and Austria.
Of the approximately 700 university students, about 500
students are actually completing their studies at a Swiss university or
college. This figure justifies the important step in terms of
educational policy taken by the Principality of Liechtenstein to sign
the inter-cantonal agreement regarding university-funding in
Switzerland (agreement of 1981 and 1992 respectively). As a contract
partner, Liechtenstein now has the same rights as the non-university
cantons. This university-related agreement grants Liechtenstein’s
students free access to all cantonal universities and Swiss institutes
of technology.
According to the university agreement,
Liechtenstein makes an annual contribution to Swiss universities of
applied sciences and universities for every student studying in
Switzerland in the overall amount of approximately 3 million Swiss
francs per year, similar to Swiss non-university cantons.
Since
1976, several agreements have been in place between the Austrian
Republic and the Principality of Liechtenstein. Among other things they
guarantee the equal acceptance of students from Liechtenstein to
Austrian universities. In the study year 2006/07, 184 students from
Liechtenstein studied at an Austrain University. Austria does not
require Liechtenstein to make contribution payments towards the running
costs. In return, the Principality is supporting the fund for
scientific research in Vienna with an annual contribution of 250’000
CHF and is participating in sharing the costs of research projects
carried out in Austrian universities if required. Since Liechtenstein
established its own higher education institution governed by public
law, equal rights apply to Austrian students. Approximately 280
Austrian students (2006/07 winter term) are currently enrolled at the
Liechtenstein University of Applied Sciences (40 – 50 percent of the
total student population).
A similar agreement has been in
existence with the federal state Bavaria since 1971. In addition, an
agreement has been in place between the Tübingen university
(Baden-Württemberg) and the Principality of Liechtenstein since 1988.
According to the preamble, the common objectives are as follows: "In
trying to foster and deepen the mutual knowledge and understanding of
legal, political and cultural establishments in both neighbouring
countries, the government of the Principality of Liechtenstein and the
Eberhard-Karls- University have agreed to conclude the declaration on
hand regarding the scientific collaboration and the admission
regulations for studying."
The law concerning "Fachhochschulen,
university and research institutions" from 1992 has been repealed and
replaced by the framework law concerning "Higher Education
Institutions" from November 25, 2004. It has become the legal basis for
the tertiary education system and regulates the tasks and the position
of universities, their approval, study pathes, access conditions,
students’ rights and duties, questions concerning teaching staff,
quality assurance and national supervision. Liechtenstein is hereby
implementing the Bologna process guidelines on a legislative level. As
a small country, it welcomed these guidelines from the start and has
partially implemented them.
Eurydice - the information network on education in Europe
Date: 2009
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