History
The University of Lucerne traces its historical roots back to a theological school from the confessional age. It has therefore grown against the same historical background as the universities of Geneva, Lausanne, Bern and Zurich.
However, expansion and reorganization did not begin in Central Switzerland until the 20th century: in 1938 the higher education institution became the theological faculty, which was granted academic degrees in 1970. In 1978 a university project aimed at five faculties failed in a referendum.
A new attempt was only possible after two decades: the Faculty of Humanities was created in 1993, and in 2000 the Lucerne population finally approved the University Act with a large majority, thereby advocating the establishment of the University of Lucerne. In 2005 the Federal Council decided on Swiss recognition for the University of Lucerne in accordance with the University Promotion Act. In September 2011, the University of Lucerne was able to move into its new main building at Frohburgstrasse 3, right by the train station and next to the KKL.
The vote in favor of the November 2014 referendum on the revision of the University Act paved the way for a fourth, economics faculty. This started operations in the autumn semester of 2016.
Another milestone was the start of the new Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, which reports directly to the Rector, at the beginning of August 2019.
Mission statement
The personal university
Personal relationships and dialogue are important to them. They form a research, teaching, learning and working community that is determined by respectful interaction, appropriate participation, transparent communication, attractive working conditions and mutual trust. Students receive high-quality teaching with a good supervisory ratio and fair performance reviews. All members of the university (researchers, lecturers, students and technical-administrative staff) help shape the university and are responsible for its development.
Focused on people and society
They explore topics on everything that has made, made and will make up people in their individual and social existence: How they believe and hope, think and talk, cooperate and regulate, decide and act, stay healthy and get healthy. As a scientific institution, they focus in particular on the following areas: theology, cultural studies, social sciences, law, economics, health sciences and medicine.
Responsible through partnership internally and externally
They take responsibility comprehensively and are committed to transparency, good cooperation, compliance with the rules, provision of optimal infrastructure, efficient use of resources, provision of an optimal research, learning and working environment as well as careful use of resources. They ensure independence, neutrality and impartiality in research and teaching, and they are open to the future, ready for dialogue and innovative. They live diversity and are actively committed to equal opportunities and against discrimination.
Engaged in five tasks
They dedicate themselves to scientific research and teaching with a targeted public policy orientation, the promotion of young talent and academic further education, and they provide services for the public. They strive for excellent research and teaching. These are scientifically sound, solution-oriented, interdisciplinary and innovative. They specifically support their students by imparting education and skills for the current and future working world.
Anchored in Lucerne - connected to the world
They are regionally, nationally and internationally networked in science, education, culture, economy, politics and society. Anchored in central Switzerland, in the canton of Lucerne and in the cultural city of Lucerne, they are connected to the national and international research and teaching community across language barriers; To this end, they maintain a worldwide scientific network with recognized partner institutions.
Forward-looking and relevant to society
With their work they contribute to the expansion of knowledge and understanding, to the development of society as a whole and to the improvement of the quality of life. The supporting pillars are scientific professionalism and the social relevance of the research topics. They use the potential of digitization in the interest of the quality and efficiency of research, teaching and administration.
Self-critical and open to improvement
They regularly check whether they are achieving the goals they have set.
