Architect and lecturer at the University of Liechtenstein joins international future project “Quartiers de demain” launched by the French government

Oscar Buson, architect and lecturer in practice at the Liechtenstein School of Architecture in the Urban Design & Spatial Development Unit, is participating with his office Raum404 in a major European architecture project: Quartiers de demain. The competition, initiated by French President Macron, aims to explore new approaches to urban development and was officially presented in March 2025 at the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine in Paris.

From 492 national and international submissions, 30 interdisciplinary teams were selected – among them Raum404, led by Oscar Buson, alongside renowned practices such as Studio Gang (USA), Dominique Perrault (FR), and 51N4E (BE), as well as academic partners including ETH Zurich and Harvard University. The project’s objective is to develop forward-looking urban visions supporting the social and ecological transformation of urban districts, with a strong focus on sustainability, quality of life, and participation.

A site with potential: Le Mans, Quartier des Sablons

The Raum404 team is working at one of the ten selected project sites: the Quartier Les Sablons in Le Mans – a representative example of modern urban planning facing social challenges. Together with two other interdisciplinary teams, Raum404 aims to activate existing potentials, demonstrate new pathways for district development, and involve local residents actively in the design process.

The concepts are being refined through an innovative dialogue process, engaging closely with residents, local authorities, and experts. Starting in May 2025, all ten sites launched so-called “Manufakturen” – open workshops for co-creation. A national gathering followed in June in Paris.

“It is an extraordinary opportunity to contribute within this international context – and at the same time to make the University of Liechtenstein visible.”
— Oscar Buson

Presentation to the President and exhibition in Paris

The teams’ results were presented to the French government in November 2025 and will be exhibited from December 2025 to March 2026 at the Cité de l’Architecture, Palais du Trocadéro, in Paris.

Implementation of the projects is scheduled to begin in 2026.

Project information and links

Project website: quartiers-de-demain.archi.fr
Location: Le Mans – Quartier des Sablons
Announcement report: Article featuring the selected teams (in French)
Video insights: YouTube – Overview | YouTube – Details

At the graduation ceremony of the University of Liechtenstein on Friday, March 21, 2025, two doctoral degrees were conferred, and 30 graduates of the University of Liechtenstein were awarded their diplomas. In addition, six graduates received awards for outstanding achievements.

In his welcome address, Rector Dr. Christian Frommelt emphasized: “With your successful graduation, you have proven that you can adapt to various challenges and deliver excellent performance. With your resilience, you are well equipped to find your path in our fast-paced world, whether you choose to pursue an academic career or work in a company in the future.”

Dr. iur. Manuel Walser, LL.M., Walser Rechtsanwälte AG, explained in his keynote speech: “I would like to leave you with a quote from Peter Drucker, a pioneer of modern management theory: ‘The best way to predict the future is to create it.’ Approach it with courage, knowledge, and diligence, and I am certain you will find success and—at least as important—enjoyment and fulfillment in what you do. And if you happen to make a mistake or take a decision which, in hindsight, turns out to have been wrong, it is still a hundred times better than having done nothing at all.”

Associate Professor Dr. Sebastian Stöckl hosted the graduation ceremony.

Rector Dr. Christian Frommelt and the respective program directors conferred academic degrees on the graduates in the fields of Architecture and Economics.

Doctoral Degrees in Economics

At this year’s graduation ceremony, two students in the field of Economics were awarded their doctoral degrees:

Amandine Herbé was awarded her doctoral degree with the distinction summa cum laude for her dissertation “How to improve both supply chain resilience and sustainability? An Information Systems perspective.” Her supervisor was Prof. Dr. Jan vom Brocke.

Kasem Zotkaj was awarded his doctoral degree with the distinction magna cum laude for his dissertation “Sustainable Taxation.” His supervisor was Prof. Dr. Martin Wenz.

Outstanding Achievements

Six graduates were recognized for their exceptional achievements with awards presented by Liechtenstein companies and associations.

Awards in the field of Architecture

The LIA, the Liechtenstein Association of Engineers and Architects, traditionally honors the top graduates of the Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Architecture. The award for the Bachelor’s program went to Luis Friedemann, while the award for the Master’s program was given to Edwin Juerg Baertschi.

Awards for Economics

The “Promotion of Young Technical Talent” Foundation of Hilti AG once again honored the most innovative theses from the Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Economics. The award in the Bachelor’s program in Business Administration was presented to Laura Boltizar. The prize in the Master’s program category went to Ermal Gashi (Finance program).

The Liechtenstein Bankers Association (LBV) traditionally awards prizes for the highest overall average across all modules in the Bachelor’s program with a specialization in Financial Services (IFS) and in the Master’s program in Finance. The award in the Bachelor’s program was presented to Natalie Galli, while the award in the Master’s program went to Ermal Gashi. In addition, the LBV grants a prize for outstanding academic and practice-relevant theses. The award in the Bachelor’s program in Business Administration with a specialization in Financial Services (IFS) was given to Natalie Galli. The prize in the Master’s program in Finance was awarded to Mykola Subtelnyi.

The graduation ceremony was accompanied musically by Infinitus Brass.

Graduates by degree program

Five doctorates were awarded at the University of Liechtenstein's graduation ceremony on Friday, 27 September 2024, and 116 graduates of the University of Liechtenstein received their diplomas. Awards for outstanding achievements were also presented to nine graduates.

The Rector of the University, Dr Christian Frommelt, and the respective programme directors awarded the graduates their academic degrees in the fields of architecture and economics. The diplomas in MBA Technology and Innovation were presented by Prof Dr Leo Brecht and Dr Christian Frommelt.

In his welcome speech, Christian Frommelt emphasised: «Those who focus on diversity and flexibility benefit in many ways in our fast-moving world. The University of Liechtenstein has not only equipped you with cutting-edge expertise, but has also provided you with the soft skills that will give you the best possible start to your future thanks to its manageable and personalised structure.»

Keynote speaker Carsten Huber, Artistic Director and Managing Director of the Liechtenstein Symphony Orchestra and the Vaduz Classic Festival, appealed to the graduates: «Stay curious, creative and don't be afraid to change direction and break new ground. Be honest, cautious and open to change. Today's complex and crisis-ridden times need above all courageous, creative thinkers and determined doers. Think about where you can make an impact with your skills and passion - both professionally and privately.»

Assistant Professor Dr Sebastian Stöckl, Academic Director of the Liechtenstein Undergraduate & Graduate School, hosted the graduation ceremony.

Exceptional performance

Nine graduates were honoured for their outstanding achievements with prizes from Liechtenstein companies and associations.

Prizes for the economic sciences

As in previous years, Hilti AG's «Promotion of young technical talent» foundation honoured the most innovative theses from the Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in economics.
The award in the Bachelor's degree programme in Business Administration was presented to Robin Hager. The prize in the Master's degree programme went to Shania Allhusen (Master's degree programme in Entrepreneurship & Management).

CIT Coin Invest AG honours the best average of all modules (incl. Master's thesis) in the Master's degree programme in Entrepreneurship & Management. The award went to Bettina Beutner.

Awards in the field of architecture

The LIA, the Liechtenstein Association of Engineers and Architects, traditionally honours the best graduates of the Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in architecture.
Patricia Clara Defranceschi received the award for the Bachelor's degree programme, while Lina Gaspari received the award for the Master's degree programme.

Doctorates in the field of economics

At this year's graduation ceremony, five students in the field of economics were awarded their doctorates. 

Graduates by degree programme with programme manager, director of studies and rector

At the graduation ceremony of the University of Liechtenstein on Friday, 27 September 2024, 49 graduates of the university’s professional education programmes received their diplomas. In addition, sponsors presented five awards for exceptional achievements to 11 graduates.

In his welcome address, Rector Dr. Christian Frommelt emphasized: “With your successful graduation, you have proven that you can adapt to completely unexpected challenges and deliver top performance. With your resilience, you are ideally equipped to find your path in our fast-paced world, whether you choose to pursue an academic career or work in a company.”

The keynote speaker, Sabina Hodzic, B. Eng., MBA, Senior Manager NVH, thyssenkrupp AG, and a 2022 graduate of the MBA in Technology and Innovation, highlighted in her speech: “Dear graduates, I warmly congratulate you on the successful completion of your Master’s programme. I would like to encourage you not to see this as a one-off achievement, but as the beginning of a lifelong learning journey.”

The Rector of the University, Dr. Christian Frommelt, together with the respective programme directors, conferred the academic degrees in the MBA in Technology and Innovation as well as the LL.M. in Banking and Financial Market Law, LL.M. in Corporate, Foundation and Trust Law, and LL.M. in International Taxation. The evening was hosted by Prof. Dr. Martin Wenz, Academic Director of the Liechtenstein Executive School.

LL.M. in Corporate, Foundation and Trust Law: “I&F Family Wealth Preservation Award”

The certificates of the I&F Award were presented to Veronica Hermes, Katja Moosleithner, Mirjam Schüssler, Lukas Voellmecke and Adrian Vogler by Anton Rüf, CFO and Member of the Executive Board, Industrie- und Finanzkontor Etablissement, Vaduz.

The purpose of the I&F Family Wealth Preservation Award is to deepen the understanding of fiduciary activities in Liechtenstein and to raise awareness of the role and importance of private wealth and family values.

LL.M. in Corporate, Foundation and Trust Law: “Marxer & Partner Award”

The prize for the best Master’s thesis in the LL.M. in Corporate, Foundation and Trust Law was awarded to Maximilian Jörg. The prize was presented by Dr. Florian Marxer, Attorney and Partner, Marxer & Partner Attorneys at Law, Vaduz.

LL.M. in Corporate, Foundation and Trust Law: “First Prize for Excellence”

The award for the best academic performance in the LL.M. in Corporate, Foundation and Trust Law went to Hannah Blecha. The prize was presented by Angelika Moosleithner, Owner and Member of the Group Board, First Advisory, Vaduz.

LL.M. in International Taxation: “IMT Tax Excellence Award”

The best academic performance in the LL.M. in International Taxation was achieved by Dajana Ehm, Stephanie Marxer and Jennifer Piras. The prize was presented by Dr. iur. Christa Burschowsky, IMT Financial Advisors AG, Vaduz. Eleven graduates were recognized for their exceptional achievements with awards.

Graduates of the degree programs with program managers and program director

At the University of Liechtenstein's graduation ceremony on Friday, March 22, 2024, one doctorate was awarded and 49 graduates of the University of Liechtenstein received their diplomas. Awards for outstanding achievements were also presented to seven graduates.

In his welcoming address, Rector Dr. Christian Frommelt emphasized: "With your successful graduation, you have proven that you can adapt to completely unexpected challenges and perform at your best. With your resilience, you have the best prerequisites to make your way in our fast-paced world, regardless of whether you will be working in academia or in a company in the future."

Dr. Thomas Nägele, LL.M., NÄGELE Rechtsanwälte GmbH, explained in his Keynote speech: "It takes the inner urge to find new solutions and the courage to try things out."

Rector Dr. Christian Frommelt and the respective course directors awarded the graduates their academic degrees in the fields of architecture and economics.

Doctorate in Architecture

At this year's graduation ceremony, a student from the Architecture department was awarded a doctorate:

Luis Gabriel Hilti was awarded a doctorate with the grade "summa cum laude" for his dissertation "Imagined Territories: Design Principles for Transformative Urbanism", his PhD supervisor was Prof. Dr. Anne Brandl.

Exceptional performance

Seven graduates were honored for their outstanding achievements with prizes from Liechtenstein companies and associations.

Awards in the field of architecture

LIA, the Liechtenstein Association of Engineers and Architects, traditionally honors the best graduates of the Bachelor's and Master's degree courses in architecture. The award for the Bachelor's degree course went to Elena Gruber, while Sophia Döffinger received the award for the Master's degree course.

Prizes for the economic sciences

As in previous years, Hilti AG's "Promotion of Young Technical Talent" foundation awarded prizes for the most innovative theses from the Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in Business Administration. Carina Marxer received the award in the Bachelor's degree program in Business Administration. The prize in the Master's program went to Advije Rizvani (Business Information Systems).

The Liechtenstein Bankers Association (LBA) traditionally honors the best average of all modules from the Bachelor's degree course with a specialization in Financial Services (IFS) and from the Master's degree course in Finance. The award in the Bachelor's degree program was presented to Nicolas Baumann, while the award in the Master's degree program went to Dario Sinnesberger.
The LBV also awards a prize for an outstanding academic and practically relevant thesis. Tom Hermes received this award in the Master's degree course in Finance.

Student speeches

The student speeches by Valérie Winkelmann (Bachelor's degree in Architecture), Lennart Krebs (Master's degree in Entrepreneurship and Management) and Carlos Vazquez (Master's degree in Architecture) concluded the graduation ceremony.

Graduates by study program