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Prof. Dr. Bernhard Burtscher wins the Banking Association Prize 2025 for his Habilitation Thesis

Prof. Dr. Bernhard Burtscher wins the Banking Association Prize 2025 for his Habilitation Thesis

Ein Mann im Anzug steht lächelnd in einem modernen Gebäude mit schrägen Fenstern.

Prof. Dr. Bernhard Burtscher – Professor of Banking and Financial Market Law at the University of Liechtenstein – was awarded the Banking Association Prize 2025 (main prize).

 

The jury honored his habilitation thesis “Civil Law and Payment Transactions”, in which he comprehensively analyzes the interplay between the European Payment Services Directive PSD II and national civil law. Burtscher shows how European regulations can be harmonized with national legal requirements and highlights the effects on national dogmatics.

 

The jury described the work as a “genuine groundwork” that offers both theoretical and practical solutions for payment transactions. "On the other hand, it contains a wealth of important detailed results for banking law practice. The habilitation thesis is therefore highly significant," said Prof. Dr. Martin Winner, chairman of the jury.

 

The Banking Association Prize has been awarded since 1978 and is endowed with a total of 25,000 euros. With this award, Burtscher joins a long list of renowned prize winners and his work provides an important impetus for academic debate in banking law.

Ein Mann im Anzug steht lächelnd in einem modernen Gebäude mit schrägen Fenstern.

“Focus on Building” – Upcycling in the Spotlight of the Second Podcast Episode

“Focus on Building” – Upcycling in the Spotlight of the Second Podcast Episode

Vier Personen sitzen auf einer Bühne in Korbstühlen, vor einem dunklen Vorhang. Sie sind Teil einer Diskussionsrunde über Upcycling in der Architektur an der Universität Liechtenstein.

The second episode of the video podcast “Focus on Building” by Campus Radio at the University of Liechtenstein explores one of the most relevant topics in the construction industry today: upcycling in architecture. At its core lies the question of how existing materials and structures can be reimagined as resources—in terms of design, construction, and societal impact.

 

Prof. Dr. Daniel Stockhammer, Professor of Building Heritage and Circular Construction at the University of Liechtenstein and editor of the book “Upcycling: Reuse and Repurposing as a Design Principle in Architecture,” joins architecture students Stacey and Lorin to discuss design strategies, cultural responsibility, and international developments surrounding reuse in construction. The conversation takes place as part of the elective course Campus Radio.

 

“Upcycling challenges us not only to rethink architectural design, but also to approach existing resources with respect and creativity,” emphasizes host Andreas Krättli, lecturer at Campus Radio at the University of Liechtenstein.

 

The episode is now available on www.podcasthus.li, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, and via livestream at www.campusradio.li, as well as on the official channels of the University of Liechtenstein.

Vier Personen sitzen auf einer Bühne in Korbstühlen, vor einem dunklen Vorhang. Sie sind Teil einer Diskussionsrunde über Upcycling in der Architektur an der Universität Liechtenstein.

LSA Summer Festival and Alumni Reunion 2025

LSA Summer Festival and Alumni Reunion 2025

On Wednesday, 28 May 2025, the Liechtenstein School of Architecture (LSA), together with Alumni Relations and the Spinnerei, invited guests to the LSA Summer Festival and Alumni Reunion. Despite heavy rain, around 150 attendees, including approximately 30 alumni, numerous students, family members, and architecture enthusiasts, gathered on the University of Liechtenstein campus. They were rewarded with a diverse programme, inspiring conversations, and a great atmosphere.

 

 

Excursion: Experiencing Circular Construction Firsthand

 

The afternoon began at 4:00 p.m. with an alumni excursion to the ZirkuLIE component reuse warehouse in Triesen. There, Dr. Clarissa Rhomberg, an alumna of the university, and Clemens Quirin from vai Vorarlberg guided participants through the project. Despite the rainy weather, the excursion provided exciting insights into the future of circular construction in Liechtenstein.

 

 

Exhibition Opening and Award Ceremony

 

At 6:00 p.m., Prof. Dr. Daniel Stockhammer opened the LSA Summer Exhibition, showcasing models and projects by LSA students. The exhibition hall was well attended, with many guests taking the opportunity to experience the students’ creative work up close.

 

As part of the exhibition, this year’s LSA Awards were presented:

 

  • The LSA Student Engagement Award went to Sophie Breitruck (ULSV),
  • The Bachelor Thesis Award to Martin Dupont,
  • The Master Thesis Award to Lina Gasperi, and
  • The LSA Alumni Award (in cooperation with Alumni Relations) to Beat Burgmaier for his commitment to sustainability.

 

 

Heartfelt Farewells and Inspiring Reflections

 

Emotional moments marked the farewell of long-time members of the LSA community: The school bid farewell to Bernhard Gasser, Christoph Angehrn, and Prof. Dr. Lindsay Howe, who have significantly shaped architectural education at the University over the years.

 

A notable anecdote from an alumna now working in the Netherlands highlighted LSA’s international influence:

 

“During our studies, we were often shown reference projects by Dutch architects. Now, in our office, we present references from German-speaking architects—including projects by uni.li alumna and former lecturer Bianca Böckle (bothand architecture).”

 

 

Music, Food, and Good Vibes in the Rain

 

Musical entertainment was provided by the alumni band Betonleiter, featuring Simon Egger, Loris Vogt, Noah Laternser, and Julian Huber—creating the perfect festival atmosphere. The Spinnerei served refreshing drinks, and Pasta Barn delighted guests with freshly made pasta.

 

 

A Strong Sign of Community Spirit

 

The LSA Summer Festival 2025 was a vibrant testament to the strong sense of community within the LSA network—an event full of energy, inspiration, and joyful reunions. Despite the rain, it was a true highlight of the academic year—and a great party, too.

 

 

Photos: Fabio Schober

Criminal Law History Conference “Feuerbach 250” in Jena – Reflections and Impulses

Criminal Law History Conference “Feuerbach 250” in Jena – Reflections and Impulses

Eine Gruppe von Menschen steht vor einer Büste von Paul Johann Anselm von Feuerbach im Freien. Die Personen tragen formelle Kleidung und lächeln in die Kamera. Im Hintergrund sind grüne Büsche und Bäume zu sehen.

Foundational legal disciplines are not only intellectually stimulating, but also essential for a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of current law. This was clearly demonstrated by the criminal law history conference “Feuerbach 250 – Theory and Dogmatics, Criminology and Criminal Policy, History and Reception”.

 

The conference took place from 19 to 21 May 2025 at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, commemorating the 250th birthday of Paul Johann Anselm von Feuerbach (1775–1833). Feuerbach, the author of the Bavarian Penal Code of 1813, was born in Hainichen near Jena, studied philosophy and law at the University of Jena, and briefly held a professorship there. As a founder of modern German criminal law theory, he fundamentally shaped the conception of the rule-of-law-based criminal justice system. His famous maxim “Nullum crimen, nulla poena sine lege” became a globally cited legal postulate and, as Gustav Radbruch put it, marked a “turning point” in the history of criminal law.

 

A quarter-century after the last Feuerbach conference in Jena, the Faculty of Law once again dedicated itself to his legacy and influence—this time through a wide-ranging, interdisciplinary analysis. The event was organised by Prof. Dr. Anette Grünewald, Prof. Dr. Florian Knauer, Prof. Dr. Adrian Schmidt-Recla, and Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Edward Schramm.

 

Feuerbach and the Greek Penal Code

 

As part of the conference, Prof. Dr. Konstantina Papathanasiou delivered a lecture on the topic “Feuerbach and the Greek Penal Code”—a research area she has been pursuing intensively for the past three years. She has co-organised conferences on the topic, and corresponding conference volumes are currently in preparation.

 

The first Greek penal code was drafted in 1833 by the Bavarian jurist Georg Ludwig von Maurer, who served as a member of the Regency Council under King Otto, the youngest son of King Ludwig I of Bavaria. Although the French Code pénal of 1810 and Feuerbach’s Bavarian Penal Code of 1813—including the drafts of 1822, 1827, and 1831, along with corresponding rescripts and annotations—played a central role in Maurer’s work, he deliberately refrained from a mere adoption of these texts. Instead, he sought to create an independent body of law tailored to the needs of Greece.

 

Prof. Papathanasiou concluded her lecture with the following words: “Maurer’s Penal Code remained in force until 1950—outlasting all other contemporary penal codes by far. In this sense, the Greek Penal Code of 1834—using Maurer’s own words—can be regarded as the most comprehensive, most lenient, and longest-standing among historical criminal codes. In conclusion: The era of liberal criminal law did not begin with the Bavarian Penal Code of 1813, but with the Greek Penal Code of 1834.”

 

Prof. Papathanasiou also emphasized the importance of historical legal scholarship for the Principality of Liechtenstein. While the Liechtenstein Penal Code is largely based on the Austrian model, it has also developed its own distinctive features and deviations. Against this backdrop, she aims to raise the visibility of Liechtenstein’s national criminal law identity within academic discourse. A dedicated commentary on the Liechtenstein Penal Code is planned to mark its 40th anniversary in June 2027.

Eine Gruppe von Menschen steht vor einer Büste von Paul Johann Anselm von Feuerbach im Freien. Die Personen tragen formelle Kleidung und lächeln in die Kamera. Im Hintergrund sind grüne Büsche und Bäume zu sehen.

Ranked First Worldwide: Liechtenstein Once Again the Top Location for Philanthropic Engagement

Ranked First Worldwide: Liechtenstein Once Again the Top Location for Philanthropic Engagement

Außenansicht der Universität Liechtenstein mit modernem Glasgebäude und Bergkulisse im Hintergrund, umgeben von grüner Wiese.

In 2025, the Principality of Liechtenstein has once again been ranked the best location in the world for charitable foundations and philanthropic engagement. This is the result of the 2025 Global Philanthropy Environment Index (GPEI), recently published by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Liechtenstein has thus maintained its leading position, which it first achieved in the 2022 edition of the GPEI.

 

Together with 173 country experts, the researchers at Indiana University examined the conditions for philanthropic activity in 95 countries—four more than in 2022. The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy assessed the legal, economic, and socio-cultural environments, as well as how easy it is for foundations and philanthropists to engage domestically and internationally. The study, conducted every three years, aims to describe and improve the global environment for philanthropy. Ratings are given in six categories on a scale from 1 to 5. Liechtenstein achieved the highest average score worldwide at 4.92, ahead of Switzerland (4.88), the Netherlands (4.84), Belgium (4.78), Germany (4.74), Denmark (4.67), Singapore (4.61), and Sweden (4.54). The global average across all 95 countries is 3.60.

 

Dr. Thomas Zwiefelhofer, President of the Association of Liechtenstein Charitable Foundations and Trusts (VLGST), welcomed the reaffirmation of Liechtenstein’s top ranking: “The index clearly reflects the excellent framework Liechtenstein offers for philanthropic engagement. It also acknowledges the commitment of the VLGST, which represents the interests of 141 member charitable foundations and trusts in the country.” Karin Schöb, Co-Managing Director of the VLGST, added: “Competition among philanthropic jurisdictions has increased in recent years. This benefits charitable foundations overall, but also requires forward-looking strategies to remain competitive. We are therefore especially pleased that Liechtenstein continues to be recognised as the world’s leading location for philanthropy—and the VLGST, together with its members, will remain committed to maintaining this standing.”

 

 

University of Liechtenstein Took the Lead in Supporting the Study

 

“From an academic perspective, it is significant that Liechtenstein is included in the GPEI for the second time,” explained Prof. Dr. Marc Gottschald, Director of the Center for Philanthropy at the University of Liechtenstein, who supervised the study from a scientific standpoint. “That the world’s most comprehensive study of this kind places Liechtenstein once again at the top sends a strong signal for the country as a hub for philanthropy,” Prof. Gottschald continued.

 

Prof. Dr. Alexandra Butterstein, LL.M., Professor of Company, Foundation and Trust Law, who contributed again to the private law component of the study, also expressed her satisfaction with the result: “This outstanding ranking confirms the excellent legal conditions that Liechtenstein offers for philanthropic engagement.”

 

In addition to the Center for Philanthropy and the Professorship for Company, Foundation and Trust Law, the VLGST also contributed to the data collection. Prof. Gottschald is pleased with both the collaboration and the outcome: “The efforts made by the country to establish optimal conditions for philanthropic activity have paid off,” he stated.

 

The study is available on the Indiana University website at:
https://globalindices.indianapolis.iu.edu/environment-index/downloads/index.html

Außenansicht der Universität Liechtenstein mit modernem Glasgebäude und Bergkulisse im Hintergrund, umgeben von grüner Wiese.

Panel Discussion with Prof. Dr. Alexandra Butterstein, LL.M., at the STEP Alpine Conference 2025

Panel Discussion with Prof. Dr. Alexandra Butterstein, LL.M., at the STEP Alpine Conference 2025

On 7 and 8 May 2025, the renowned annual STEP Alpine Conference took place at the Congress Kursaal Interlaken. Experts from academia and professional practice gathered to jointly discuss current legal and economic issues in the field of private wealth structuring. A particular focus was placed on the protection of family businesses, including their identity and core values.

 

As part of the panel discussion on the topic “Liechtenstein – A Role Model for Compliant Wealth Preservation”, Prof. Dr. Alexandra Butterstein, LL.M., shed light on the civil law instruments available in Liechtenstein for the secure, multi-generational preservation of family wealth.

 

In her remarks, she focused in particular on the foundation and the trust as key structures for wealth planning, as their versatile design options make them highly suitable as succession instruments for families and their businesses. Both legal instruments can be equipped with a tailored governance system that meets not only the individual needs of the settlor or trustee but also the interests of the beneficiaries and those of the business itself. In this context, the involvement of family members—such as in the form of a family council—is essential for effective governance. However, the extent to which rights are reserved for the various parties involved requires individual assessment and advice.

Congratulations on Successfully Completing your Apprenticeship

Congratulations on Successfully Completing your Apprenticeship

Joshua Längle, ein frischgebackener Kaufmann EFZ.

Our apprentice Joshua Längle has successfully completed his three-year commercial apprenticeship at the university and can now officially call himself a Kaufmann EFZ.

 

The graduation ceremony took place at the BZB in Buchs. Around 140 apprentices received their diplomas there – around half of them from the Principality of Liechtenstein. This year, the graduates received their certificates in person from Cantonal Councillor Daniel Oehry, Rector Daniel Miescher and Head of Office Werner Kranz.

 

We are delighted with Joshua's success and congratulate him wholeheartedly!

Joshua Längle, ein frischgebackener Kaufmann EFZ.

Tradition Meets Technology: Overcoming Cultural Tensions in AI Adoption within Lean Quality Management

Tradition Meets Technology: Overcoming Cultural Tensions in AI Adoption within Lean Quality Management

On Monday, June 23, 2025, the inaugural lecture of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Benjamin van Giffen took place at the University of Liechtenstein. Under the title "Tradition Meets Technology: Overcoming Cultural Tensions in AI Adoption within Lean Quality Management", the new Professor of Information Systems & Digital Innovation shed light on the challenges and opportunities that arise from the interplay between traditional Lean principles and modern AI technologies.

 

The official program began at 5:00 PM with a ceremonial opening. In their welcoming remarks, Dr. Christian Frommelt, Rector of the University of Liechtenstein, Dr. Gunter Beitinger, Senior Vice President Manufacturing and Head of Factory Digitalization at Siemens, and Karsten Neugebauer, founder of VIQTORIOUS AG and former CEO of the G2K Group, emphasized the relevance of the topic for business, science, and society. They underlined the university’s role as a driving force for digital innovation in the region and beyond. A common thread throughout all the speeches was the connection between excellent research and practical application.

 

At the heart of the subsequent lecture was the question of how companies can manage cultural tensions that arise when implementing artificial intelligence into established management systems. Benjamin van Giffen emphasized that the integration of AI requires not only technological, but above all cultural and organizational change. Using real-world examples and solid scientific insights, he demonstrated how companies can successfully manage this transformation and achieve both efficiency gains and innovation-friendly structures.

 

The lecture combined theoretical depth with a strong practical orientation, offering the audience insights into current research projects and concrete recommendations for leaders and organizations undergoing digital transformation. Professor van Giffen particularly emphasized the importance of a human-centered innovation approach, grounded in Design Thinking and attentive to both ethical and governance-related aspects of AI use.

 

With this inaugural lecture, Professor van Giffen presented himself not only as a recognized expert in the design and scaling of AI systems, but also as a bridge-builder between academic excellence and business practice. His broad experience in research, teaching, and industry consulting – including collaborations with companies in Liechtenstein, Europe, and the United States – gives his work special relevance for both regional and international business.

 

Following the lecture, the University hosted a networking reception, where guests from academia, industry, and public administration took the opportunity to exchange ideas in an informal setting. In many conversations, the topic of the lecture was taken up, further explored, and discussed in the context of concrete entrepreneurial challenges. The reception also provided a valuable opportunity to meet Assoc. Prof. Dr. van Giffen in person and establish initial contacts for potential collaborations.

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Artificial Intelligence Meets Tourism: Research Published in International Journal

Artificial Intelligence Meets Tourism: Research Published in International Journal

The University of Liechtenstein is pleased to announce the publication of a new scientific study in the renowned academic journal Electronic Markets. The article, titled “Fine-Tuning Image-to-Text Models on Liechtenstein Tourist Attractions”, was authored by Dr. Pejman Ebrahimi, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Liechtenstein Business School, and Prof. Dr. Johannes Schneider, Professor of Data Science & Artificial Intelligence.

 

The study explores how effectively modern AI models can automatically generate text descriptions from images of tourist attractions – a technology with potential applications in tourism, cultural heritage communication, and accessible digital services. The research focuses on two of Microsoft’s image-to-text models: GIT and Florence-2.

 

Both models were specifically trained using image data from Liechtenstein – including landmarks such as Vaduz Castle, the Malbun alpine region, and various cultural events. The results show that the GIT model performs well even with relatively small training datasets. In contrast, Florence-2 demonstrates significantly better performance when larger amounts of training data are available.

 

This research offers valuable insights into the practical use of AI in tourism and heritage contexts. It highlights which models are best suited for specialized applications such as the automated creation of image descriptions for websites, apps, or digital travel guides.

 

The paper was published in Electronic Markets, a leading international journal on digital markets and information systems.

 

Ebrahimi, P., & Schneider, J. (2025). Fine-Tuning Image-to-Text Models on Liechtenstein Tourist Attractions. Electronic Markets, 35(55). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12525-025-00806-7

Congratulations to Marius Gramlich on his Doctorate with Top Marks

Congratulations to Marius Gramlich on his Doctorate with Top Marks

Foto von Marius Gramlich, umgeben von seinen Betreuern und Doktoratskolegen zur Feier seiner erfolgreichen Dissertation an der Universität Liechtenstein.

The University of Liechtenstein would like to congratulate Marius Gramlich on the successful defense of his dissertation with the highest distinction. The thesis entitled “Tokenomics on Crypto Exchanges and Experimental Asset Markets” was supervised by Prof. Dr. Martin Angerer and Prof. Dr. Fabian Schär from the University of Basel. They collaborated with Spiridon Penev (University of Sydney) and Yilong Xu (Utrecht University) – a successful example of the University of Liechtenstein's international research cooperation with leading partner institutions and researchers.

 

Marius Gramlich's dissertation is dedicated to the financial and economic facets of the token economy on crypto exchanges and experimental capital markets. The studies focus on trader behavior, market design and the efficiency of the markets, particularly with regard to their liquidity.

 

The dissertation includes innovative methodologies to measure the unit of account (as a function of money) and liquidity in crypto markets as well as the impact of fractionalization of assets through tokenization. The results provide new insights into the token economy with relevance for traders, market operators and regulators.

 

The research has already been presented at numerous international conferences and has been well received by the scientific community. The first of the three studies was published in the "Journal of Risk and Financial Management” at the beginning of the year.

 

We would like to congratulate Marius Gramlich on this outstanding success and wish him all the best for his professional and personal future!

 

Wir gratulieren Marius Gramlich herzlich zu diesem herausragenden Erfolg und wünschen ihm für seine berufliche und persönliche Zukunft alles Gute!

Foto von Marius Gramlich, umgeben von seinen Betreuern und Doktoratskolegen zur Feier seiner erfolgreichen Dissertation an der Universität Liechtenstein.
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