Agency for International Education AffairsPRINCIPALITY OF LIECHTENSTEIN

EEA/Norwey Grants Conference and Contact Seminar

26.04.2012

Agenda

- The Principality of Liechtenstein „Encounter with a Small State“

- Active engagement countries

- Exellence in Liechtenstein

- Interested disciplines

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The Principality of Liechtenstein

- Liechtenstein is the fourth smallest country in Europe. The area of Liechtenstein is 160 square kilometres. The total length of the country is 24.5 kilometres. Liechtenstein has no airport and no train station.

- Liechtenstein has 36’500 inhabitants and 34’200 working places. Every day 17’000 commuters come to Liechtenstein for work.

- Liechtenstein is a constitutional hereditary monarchy. The Reigning Prince, Hans-Adam II, is the Head of State and represents the country vis-à-vis other states and rules the country in balance with the people.

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Educational system

- The educational system of Liechtenstein is influenced by the school system of the German speaking countries.

- Students undergo nine years of compulsory schooling at the five grade primary school, followed by the secondary schools. The four year secondary schools are divided into three tracks: Oberschule, Realschule and Gymnasium.

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- Vocational training in Liechtenstein follows a dual system, with practical training in an apprenticeship and accompanying theoretical education in the vocational school.

- Tertiary education offerings are largely oriented towards the needs of the Liechtenstein economic location.

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Active engagement countries

- Due to capacity reasons Liechtenstein can unfortunately only be active in some countries. The country focus was done by the Foreign Ministry of Liechtenstein.

- Czech Republic- Poland- Slovenia- Slovak Republic- Spain

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Exellence in Liechtensetin – Dual VET-System

- Most VET programmes consist of part-time classroom instruction at a VET school combined with a part-time apprenticeship at a host company. Such VET programmes are referred to as dual-track VET programmes.

- VET programmes closely match the needs of the labour market, both in terms of occupational skills and the number of available jobs. The close correlation with the labour market explains why

Liechtenstein has one of the lowest youth unemployment rates among European countries (3,4%).

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- Two-year VET programme allow more practically minded learners to obtain a federally recognized certificate that matches the needs of a specific occupational profile. Graduates of the two-year VET programme may enroll directly in a three- or four-year VET programme leading to the Federal VET Diploma.

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- Three- or Four-year programme Provide learners with the skills needed to carry out a specific occupation and gain access to tertiary- level B professional education and training, called PET.

- PET programmes combine solid practical skills with established theoretical expertise. They also pre pare learners for managerial and/or specialized positions.

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Interested disciplines

- Liechtenstein has four institutions of higher learning with different orientations:

- Liechtenstein University of Applied Science specializes in architecture and, in the fields of business, in entrepreneurship, financial services and business information systems. Far more than half of the students at the Liechtenstein University of Applied Science are from abroad, especially Switzerland and Austria.

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- The International Academy of Philosophy

- The Liechtenstein Institute as a scientific research centre for topics specific in the fields of Law, History and political Science.

- The Private University in Liechtenstein, which offers courses of study and doctoral programs in the medical science and law.

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- CIPRA is an autonomous non-governmental, non-profit umbrella organisation that has been committed to the protection and sustainable development of the Alps since 1952. With its international executive office in Liechtenstein, its representatives in seven Alpine states and around one hundred member organisations and institutions CIPRA today represents an important alpine-wide network. E.g. for one project: mountEE aims to give support to municipalities in three European mountain areas (Scandinavia, Alps, Pyrenees) in order to help them change their way of construction and renovation towards more energy efficiency and sustainability, with a focus on public buildings, including social housing. Renewable energy plays an important role here.

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Contacts

Marion Kindle-Kuehnis

marion.kindle-kuehnis@aiba.llv.li

Agency for International Education Affairs 24.01.2012