User:Keye Umber/FernUni Schweiz

Translated from FernUni Schweiz (German Wikipedia)

FernUni Schweiz

Swiss Distance University Institute
Type	Public
Established	1992
Accreditation	Swiss Accreditation Council
Location	Brig , Valais , Switzerland
Campus	Multiple locations, including Bern, Fribourg, Lausanne, Pfäffikon SZ, Rapperswil, Sierre
Affiliations	European Association of Distance Teaching Universities, International Council for Open and Distance Education, European Distance and E-Learning Network
Website	fernuni.ch

The FernUni Schweiz (Swiss Distance University Institute) is a university institute accredited under the Higher Education Funding and Coordination Act (HFKG). It was founded in 1992, recognized by the Swiss federal government in 2004. It operates in the field of university distance learning in Switzerland. The main campus of FernUni Schweiz is located at the university campus in Brig with additional locations in Bern, Fribourg, Lausanne, Pfäffikon SZ, Rapperswil, and Sierre.

FernUni Schweiz has partnership agreements with several foreign universities and is involved in international cooperation and networks in the fields of teaching and research including Université TELUQ (Canada). FernUni Schweiz is member of the following international networks:

• European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU)
• Fédération Interuniversitaire de l’Enseignement à Distance (FIED)
• International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)
• European Distance and E-Learning Network (EDEN)

History

In 1992, the Fernstudien Schweiz Foundation was established as the Center for Distance Learning Switzerland (ZUF) in Brig. In the same year, it opened its study center in Brig (Canton of Valais), followed by one in Pfäffikon (Canton of Schwyz) in 1994, and in Sierre in 1995. The institution was recognized by the Canton of Valais in 1995. In June 2004, the Swiss University Conference confirmed that the requirements were met for it to become a subsidized university institution. In November of the same year, the Department of Home Affairs recognized three centers.

Since 2004, FernUni Schweiz has been listed among the recognized or accredited Swiss higher education institutions. On June 26, 2020, the Swiss Accreditation Council decided in favor of FernUni Schweiz, accrediting it as the first institution for university distance learning in Switzerland.

Studies

The study programs at FernUni Schweiz include bachelor's and master's degrees as well as continuing education programs in the fields of law, economics, history, artificial intelligence, mathematics, and psychology with a focus on data protection. Education available in German, English, and French.

Bachelor's programs

• Bachelor in Law
• Bachelor in Psychology
• Bachelor in Economics and Management
• Bachelor in History
• Bachelor in Mathematics

Master's programs

• Master in Law
• Master in Psychology
• Master in Artificial Intelligence
• Master of Science in Economics
• Business and Data Analytics

Certificate of Advanced Studies

• CAS in Data Protection – Business and Administration
• CAS in Data Protection for Business
• CAS in Nutrition and Behavior
• CAS in Francophone Studies
• Certificate in Business Management with an Entrepreneurship Option
• Certificate in Business Management with a Marketing Option

Faculties

FernUni Schweiz has the following faculties:

• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Psychology
• Faculty of Economics
• Faculty of History
• Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science

Organization

The foundation has the following bodies: The Board of Trustees is responsible for strategic leadership, the Scientific Advisory Board supports quality assurance in teaching, studies, and research, and serves as the expert body on all matters related to academic teaching and research. The Executive Management is responsible for operational leadership. Two additional departments handle teaching and research on one hand, and finances, personnel, IT, marketing, and communication on the other.

Educational mission

It may be better to remove it, as it feels promotional.

The educational mission of FernUni Schweiz was assigned by the Canton of Valais and formulated for all of Switzerland. According to this mission, FernUni Schweiz promotes equal opportunities in the higher education sector. Through its study system, it helps to maximize educational potential and counteracts the shortage of skilled workers with its degree programs. FernUni Schweiz provides opportunities for lifelong learning at the university level and awards recognized university degrees. It specializes in part-time study alongside employment and stands for the compatibility of work or family life with academic education.

Teaching and learning system

FernUni Schweiz applies a blended learning concept for distance education. This combines computer-based learning with traditional classroom instruction. The study program is structured as a combination of guided online learning, self-study, and in-person sessions. The Educational Development Unit in Distance Learning (EDUDL+) is the service at FernUni Schweiz responsible for evaluating teaching, developing pedagogical quality, researching and developing distance education, and developing and implementing the institutional e-learning strategy. Various educational models are implemented in collaboration with the teaching teams.