15/07/16

Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance – growth and renewal

The University of Luxembourg’s Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance during the past academic year increasingly emphasised innovation and renewal, in order to lay the foundations for sustainable growth through new research areas and partnerships.

With the Luxembourg Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management a new area of research was added to the Faculty’s portfolio, fitting seamlessly with its profile and meeting its aim for relevant and practical research. Moreover, the Board of Governors recently approved Prof. Benyamin Mantin’s appointment by the rectorate as Director of the new Luxembourg Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management for the next two years. 

Stefan Braum, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance

Additionally, preparations for the new Master in Logistics and Supply Chain Management are underway. A conference in June for the first time brought together professors from the University of Luxembourg and partner university the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as well as representatives of the industry and government.

Together, they discussed the orientation of the centre, which is set to play an important role in the development of this sector of the Luxembourg economy.

 

New research areas and partnerships

Innovation in research was also reflected in other areas, for example the strategic reorientation of the Luxembourg School of Finance (LSF). Under the leadership of Prof. Jang Schiltz research topics such as risk assessment, alternative finance and FinTech will be highlighted, addressing current changes and challenges in the financial sector. Especially in the area of FinTech, the Faculty is carrying out more interdisciplinary research. The Research Unit in Law, for example, explores the legal framework of various aspects of digital finance. The ADA Chair in Financial Law (Inclusive Finance) plays and important role in this context. Activities were kicked off under Prof. Dirk Zetzsche this year, studying, among other topics, digital finance solutions in developing countries. The starting date of a new executive education programme organised by the Chair, theCertificate in Law and Regulation of Inclusive Finance, is currently being finalised.

The trust of the Luxembourg economy in the Faculty was further confirmed by the renewal of the SES Chair in Space, Satellite Communications and Media Law, which, under Prof. Mahulena Hofmann, is involved in the development of the legal framework for Luxembourg’s exploration of space mining. In these endeavours the Faculty supports the University of Luxembourg to fulfil its mission of contributing to the growth and renewal of Luxembourg and its economy. In the framework of a review of the Faculty’s statutes, private sector funding will increasingly be sought. A planned outreach centre will aim to develop new partnerships in industry and the financial centre.

European and international dimension

New areas of research and partnerships have also opened up on a European and international level. In cooperation with the Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education (FLSHASE) and with funding by the European Commission, the Robert Schuman Institute for European Affairs was founded as a centre of excellence at the University. Furthermore, migration research is being explored as a new field of interdisciplinary research at the Faculty. Meanwhile, three renowned higher education institutions in Brazil – the University of São Paulo, Insper in São Paulo and Ibmec in Rio de Janeiro – were added to the network of international partners through cooperation agreements for exchange in teaching and research. The Faculty continues to maintain partnerships with universities in the US, Canada, Russia, India, China, Mali and Laos.

Growth and renewal at the Faculty manifest themselves not only in research, however, but also in teaching. The Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance at the end of 2015 was the first Faculty at the University of Luxembourg to receive internationally-recognised accreditationfor five of its Master programmes. The restructuring of three Master degrees in law into six highly-specialised Master of Laws (LL.M.) programmes is aimed at securing accreditation for these programmes also. Especially in the Master programmes, practical teaching takes on an increasing role, for example through the Consumer Law Clinic or the participation of law students in international moot court competitions, with the support of Clifford Chance.

Starting autumn 2016, the Faculty’s three Bachelor programmes will be taught at Campus Belval. Plans for a new structure at the current location of Campus Kirchberg, which will bring together the Faculty’s three research units on one site, remain in place. Thenew Campus Kirchbergshould strengthen the development of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance at the heart of the Luxembourg financial centre and economy, and the European institutions in the long-term.

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