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Milestones since 2003 for the University

2022

  • The University and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research sign a new multi-year contract covering the period 2022-2025.
  • Prof. Jens Kreisel, Vice-Rector for Research, is appointed as new Rector of the University, starting his mandate on 1 January 2023.

2021

  • Formulation of a long-term strategy framework for the University
  • The University launches its new supercomputer AION, and is tapped to lead the first pan-European Master’s Programme in High Performance Computing.  

2020

  • University takes a core role in Luxembourg’s COVID-19 Task Force
  • Launch of the University’s Institute for Advanced Studies
  • New ERC grants awarded to:
    • Prof. Björn Ottersten for a radar system design
    • Prof. Tegawendé Bissyandé for software repair research
    • Prof. Alexandre Tkatchenko for a novel chemical discovery platform
  • New chairs created at the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance:
    • Chair in Digital Procurement
    • Chair in Sustainable Finance
  • University announces bilateral cooperation agreements with the Luxembourg Institute of Health and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology
  • Expansion of study offer with new programmes: Bachelor in Mathematics, Bachelor in Physics, Bachelor in Engineering, Bachelor in Medicine, Master in Technopreneurship, Master in Software Development and Validation, Master in Legislative Studies
  • University celebrates 1000th doctoral graduate
  • Launch of UNIVERSEH – The European Space University for Earth and Humanity with Université Fédérale de Toulouse (France), Université du Luxembourg (Luxembourg), Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf (Germany), Luleå tekniska universitet (Sweden) and Akademia Górniczo-Hutnicza im. Stanisława Staszica w Krakowie (Poland)
  • Formulation of a long-term strategic framework for the University
  • Elaboration of a gender equality policy
  • First student and staff satisfaction surveys
  • Establishment of the Office for Partnership, Knowledge and Technology Transfer
  • Inauguration of the Europe Direct Information Centre University of Luxembourg

2019

  • Extension of the University’s study programmes: New Interdisciplinary Space Master, redesign of the Master programmes in Economics and Finance and preparation of the Bachelor in Medicine
  • Development of a digital strategy for the University
  • New ERC grants for:
    • Paul Wilmes: ExpoBiome, exploring the interaction between microbial molecules and the human immune system in patients with Parkinson’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis
    • Jan Lagerwall: VALIDATE, verifying authenticity with liquid crystal-derived anti-theft encoding

2018

  • University proposes Jens Kreisel as new Vice-Rector for Research.
  • The University's fourth four-year plan (2018-2021) is presented to the public; it particularly highlights strategic research priorities & growing cross-disciplinary research priorities.
  • The "contrat d’établissement" (2018-2021) is signed by Yves Elsen, Chairman of the Board of Governors, Stéphane Pallage, Rector, and Marc Hansen, Minister Delegate for Higher Education and Research.
  • Prof. Stéphane Pallage, new Rector of the University, takes office on 1st January.

2017

  • HRH the Grand Duke appoints Prof. Stéphane Pallage as the new President of the University of Luxembourg on 9 October 2017.
  • Prof. Ines Thiele, researcher at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) at the University of Luxembourg, is selected for the highly prestigious research funding of the European Research Council (ERC).
  • Prof. Katalin Ligeti officially takes office as Dean of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance on Friday, 1 September 2017, marking a new chapter in both her career and the history of the Faculty.
  • Prof. Björn Ottersten, Director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) at the University of Luxembourg and expert in cognitive systems, receives an ERC Advanced Grant.

2016

  • Prof. Alexandre Tkatchenko from the Physics and Materials Science Research Unit won a highly esteemed “Consolidator Grant” awarded by the European Research Council (ERC). Tkatchenko investigates the interactions between molecules, which determine the properties and behavior of materials. Until now, five researchers of the University of Luxembourg have won an ERC Grant.
  • On 1 October 2016, the Board of Governors officially launched the Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C2 DH) as the third Interdisciplinary Centre of the University. The centre will be composed of researchers and experts committed to investigating, analysing and promoting the contemporary history of Luxembourg and Europe.
  • The University celebrated the inauguration of the new Robert Schuman Institute of European Affairs, after securing funding from the European Commission for the institute as a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence. The institute will focus on the interdisciplinary study of European affairs and the European Union.
  • The University has established the new funded Chair in Capital Markets and Post Trade at the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance in cooperation with seven partners from the financial and legal services sector.
  • The University ranks 58th in the field of computer science in the prestigious “Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings”, placing it in the league of reputed universities such as King´s College London (ranked 52th) and the University of Stuttgart (ranked 60th) or the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden (ranked 73th).
  • The University ranks 178 worldwide in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2016-2017.
  • The CVCE joins the University of Luxembourg on 1 July 2016.
  • The University ranks 14 worldwide in the Times Higher Education (THE) 150 Under 50 Rankings 2015-2016.
  • Prof. Lionel Briand, FNR PEARL Chair and Vice Director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) at the University of Luxembourg, has been awarded an “Advanced Grant” by the European Research Council (ERC) for his research in the field of software reliability and security. He is the first Luxembourg-based researcher to receive an Advanced Grant, the most prestigious of the European Commission grants.
  • Dr Massimiliano Esposito, a physicist at the Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, is the third scientist from the University of Luxembourg to be awarded a prestigious “Consolidator Grant” by the European Research Council (ERC).

2015

  • The University ranks 193 worldwide in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2015-2016.
  • The University signs its first cooperation agreement with LISER, the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research.
  • The University management, central administration and the Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education move to the Belval Campus, the new headquarters of the University - a symbol of the country’s vision to invest in high-quality public research as a major contribution to Luxembourg's economic future.
  • The ITTM spin-off of the University’s Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) provides data integration and knowledge management solutions and services to all bio-medical research areas.
  • The 2015 Charlemagne Youth Prize is awarded to students of the University of Luxembourg.
  • Prof. Jan Lagerwall, a physicist at the University of Luxembourg, is awarded the prestigious “Consolidator Grant” by the European Research Council (ERC). The “ERC Consolidator Grant” is one of the most sought-after competitive research grants in Europe. Lagerwall is the second scientist from the University of Luxembourg to be awarded an ERC Grant.
  • The Luxembourg National Research fund creates a National Centre of Excellence in Research on Parkinson’s disease (NCER), coordinated by Prof. Rudi Balling, director of the University’s Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB)
  • University open day is held on Belval Campus for the first time: over 3,000 visitors join the event!
  • The Committee for the Evaluation of the University of Luxembourge releases its "External Evaluation of the University of Luxembourg – Follow-up Report".
  • First University staff from the Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education move into their offices in the "Maison des Sciences Humaines" in Belval.
  • The Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) celebrates its 5th anniversary.
  • First University administrative staff move into their offices in the tower of the "Maison du Savoir" in Belval.
  • Prof. Rainer Klump, new president of the University, takes office on 1st January.

2014

  • Inauguration of the largest University residence hall: UNI-VAL I in Belval.
  • First meeting of the Board of Governors in the "Maison du Savoir" in Belval.
  • First graduation ceremony held at "Maison du Savoir" in Belval.
  • German Bundespräsident Joachim Gauck visits Belval.
  • The University's third four-year plan (2014-2017) is presented to the public; highlight on strategic research priorities & other research priorities.

2013

  • The University's second external evaluation is presented to the public by the Chair of the evaluation committee, Prof. Dr Páll Skúlason, and the Minister of Higher Education and Research, François Biltgen.
  • Official Laying of the foundations for the University's House of Numbers, the House of Arts and Students as well as for the University library – the House of Books – in Esch-Belval.
  • The city of Esch-sur-Alzette announces to finance a chair in Social Business and Social Management.

2012

  • The University starts being written about in the international press: DIE ZEIT, Times Higher Education, The Financial Times, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, etc., always in positive terms.
  • The new Chair of the Board of Governors, judge Marc Jaeger, is appointed.
  • Two PEARL chairs are awarded by the National Research Fund to the University with a total of more than nine million euros for five years. Professors Lionel Briand and Louis Chauvel are the chair-holders.
  • During her state visit to Luxembourg, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands visits Limpertsberg Campus and attends a round table discussion dealing with "Europe after the crisis". Furthermore, the Queen visits the LCSB on Belval Campus.
  • As part of an official visit in Luxembourg, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, gives a speech to students of the University of Luxembourg.
  • The University launches five doctoral schools in the areas of systems and molecular biomedicine, economics and finance, education, law and computer science.
  • The UNESCO awards the University a chair in Human rights. Prof. Jean-Paul Lehners is the chair-holder.
  • An agreement with the Max-Planck Institute Luxembourg for International European and Regulatory Procedural Law is signed.
  • The interdisciplinary centre SnT crosses the 50% external funding benchmark.

2011

  • The first Report on Contract Fulfilment is sent to the Government. It contains index data to check the progress in reaching the goals set out in the four-year plan.
  • The House of Biomedicine – the first building of the University in Esch-Belval housing the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) – is inaugurated.
  • A comprehensive agreement is signed with the Parliament to support it in the analysis of elections.
  • "Campus Carrières", a career office for students, is launched.
  • 60 Ph.D. candidates receive their degree.

2010

  • The University's second four-year plan (2010-2013) with its five priorities is presented to the public.
  • About 2,000 visitors attend the University's annual Open Day.
  • The world's largest steel producer, Arcelor-Mittal, finances a chair in Façade Engineering.
  • Invited by the University, the ERC's Scientific Council holds its meeting in Luxembourg and co-organises a workshop on "The evaluation of interdisciplinary research".
  • A major partnership agreement is signed with the global satellite operator SES. It includes a chair in Space Law and an important cooperation agreement with SnT.
  • The Deutsche Bank announces the funding of a chair in International finance. A token chair is handed over to the University through the intermediation of the Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker.

2009

  • The University's first interdisciplinary research centre is launched: the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT).
  • The new Board of Governors and its Chair, Raymond Kirsch, are appointed.
  • The ground-breaking ceremony for the first building of the University at Esch-Belval, the "Maison du Savoir", is held.
  • The company ATOZ announces a funded chair in International and European Taxation.
  • Prof. Dr Rudi Balling is appointed Director of the future Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), the University's second interdisciplinary centre.
  • The a.s.b.l. Luxembourg Business Academy is set up with the Chamber of Commerce.
  • The Government decides to split the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance between the future Belval site and the Limpertsberg Campus.
  • Prof. Dr René Leboutte receives the Jean-Monet Chair in History of European Integration.

2008

  • The Government announces a strategic partnership initiative with three U.S. research institutions in order to develop a centre of expertise in molecular medicine. A Luxembourg "biobank" will be founded by the three Public Research Centres and the University. An important agreement is signed between the University and the Institute of Systems Biology (Seattle).
  • Dutchman Prof. Dr Christian Wolff is appointed new Director of the University's Luxembourg School of Finance.
  • Five years after its birth, the young University counts 4,000 students – including 200 Ph.D. students – nearly 30 study programmes, about 20 partnerships with foreign universities as well as 150 professors and lecturers.
  • meet@uni.lu, the annual business contact trade fair for students organised by the University, becomes a great success with 100 participating companies and 2,000 visitors.

2007

  • In the framework of a State visit, Queen Sofia of Spain and the Grand Duchess Maria Teresa pay the University of Luxembourg a royal visit on Limpertsberg Campus.
  • The partnership of the University with the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce launches the unique study course "Master in Entrepreneurship and Innovation".
  • The first "spin-off" company arises in the field of health technology from the Life Sciences Research Unit of the University.
  • The project of the University's central auditorium building in Esch-Belval, the "Maison du Savoir", is presented to the public.
  • The City of Luxembourg signs a contract with the University for the second funded chair in Urban Development Research.
  • The first external evaluation of the University is launched.

2006

  • The National Research Fund conducts theForesightstudy, aimed at identifying which research domains should be prioritised within the public sector.
  • First agreements with foreign universities are made, for example with Chinese universities during the Luxembourg State visit to China.
  • The Japanese manufacturer TDK Corporation endows the University with several million euros for a funded chair to research solar cell materials using compound semi-conductors.
  • A foundation is established in order to give financial aid and advice for the University's Luxembourg School of Finance.

2005

  • A new president takes over the young University of Luxembourg: the physicist Prof. Rolf Tarrach, a Spaniard with German origins.
  • Several new Bachelor programmes start in autumn 2005.
  • The new president presents the University's strategic framework for the next four years.
  • The Government decides about the future site of the University: the administration, the Science Faculty and the Humanities Faculty shall find a new home on the Belval-West brownfield site in the future "Cité des Sciences".

2004

  • The first Rector of the University of Luxembourg, the Canadian Prof. François Tavenas, passes away in February 2004, only a few weeks after he assumed the post.
  • The Government agrees to encourage the establishment of scientific and technological centers of excellence – i.e. concentrate efforts on a limited number of state-of-the-art sectors, which have an international dimension and which shall benefit the country at large.

2003

  • 12 August 2003 marks the beginning of a new era in the history of Luxembourg's educational policy. The passing of the Higher Education Act makes the dream of a university come true.

    Four separate institutions are combined into the one and only "Université du Luxembourg". The academic life will remain divided across three sites: Limpertsberg Campus, Kirchberg Campus and Walferdange Campus.

    The University is a response to calls for an economic reorientation of the Grand Duchy. The new institution wants to attract intellectual potential back to the country as well as to offer an education at home to anyone who can't study abroad. The idea is to create a research-centred, international and multilingual university.