History
In 2016, we celebrate 100 years of engineering education in Luxembourg. Since the first "Cours technique du supérieur", the education in engineering has changed a lot. Four main phases can be distinguished:
1) 1916 -1958: First "Cours technique du supérieur"
Due to the industrial and economic development in different sectors, the demand for a skilled workforce had been increasing. On 20 September 1916, Dr. Welter, General Director of Agriculture, Industry and Work, launched the "Cours technique du supérieur" (CTS) under the Ecole d’Artisans de l’Etat.
From the beginning, students could choose between several tracks, namely:
- Steel Construction
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Metallurgy
- Civil engineering
The first intake, consisting of 15 students, received their diplomas in 1918.
 |  |
After an uncertain period, the CTS was totally reviewed to offer a comprehensive training programme. A new law was adopted in 1958 providing the creation of a new institute divided into 2 schools:
- Ecole des Arts et Métiers, replacing the Ecole d’Artisans de l’Etat
- Ecole Technique, transforming the "Cours technique du supérieur" into an independant school with a mandate to train engineers and technicians
2) 1958-1979: « Ecole Technique »
The creation of this new school was a success with a growing number of incoming students. In 1966, the first major event was organised in order to celebrate 50 years of engineering education in Luxembourg. In the presence of LL.AA.RR. Grand-Duc Jean and Grande-Duchesse Charlotte, the ceremony was punctuated with speeches and the visit of the school’s facilities.
 |
In response to an increasing number of students, the “Ecole Technique” moved in 1976 to a new building in Kirchberg.
 |
Following discussions between industrials, academicians and government representatives, the “Institut Supérieur de Technologie” was launched in 1979 to highlight the postgraduate level henceforth offered.
3) 1979-2003 : Institut Supérieur de Technologie (IST)
In addition to its core mission of training top skilled experts in engineering, the institute ensured vocational training for external stakeholders and internal professors. It was composed of four departments:
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Applied computer science
- Civil engineering
At that time, each department developed its own research activities to expand scientific and technical knowledge. Moreover, projects with industrials partners were initiated and were really fruitful. For instance, a telex system was created, experimented and successfully launched on to the market. The IST progressively acquired more and more equipment and resources such as a computer centre and an information and documentation centre.
 |  |  |
The institute also took part in the Erasmus programme which facilitated student exchange.
In 1991-1992, the Institut Supérieur de Technologie and the Association Luxembourgeoise des Ingénieurs Techniciens celebrated 75 years of engineering education in Luxembourg with a series of events:
- October 1991: diploma ceremony with the presence of LL.AA.RR. Grand-Duc héritier Henri and Grande-Duchesse héritière Maria Teresa
 |
- November 1991: Three conferences on renewable energies ; Alumni Day
- December 1991: Two conferences on civil engineering
- March 1992: Open Day at IST
- May 1992: Academic session with the presence of LL.AA.RR. Grand-Duc Jean and Grande-Duchesse Charlotte
 |
Moreover, a dedicated book, postcard, stamp and CD were realised to leave memories of this anniversary.
4) 2003-Present: University of Luxembourg
The 12 August 2003 marked the beginning of a new era in the history of Luxembourg's educational policy. The passing of the Higher Education Act made the dream of a university come true. In this context, the Institut Supérieur de Technologie (IST) was integrated within the Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC). Since 2003, engineering studies and research activities have grown considerably in terms of number, variety and language.
Two bachelors and four masters are currently offered to students with different objectives (academic or professional) and tracks (civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, telecommunication, sustainable development, etc.).
 |  |
The Research Unit in Engineering Science (RUES) focuses on the development of technological solutions, the sustainable and economical use of all kind of resources and the combination of fundamental and applied research in collaboration with public and private partners. With 27 professors, 17 Postdocs, 47 PhD students and 18 scientific and administrative members, the RUES is highly active in 6 main areas, namely:
- Civil engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Energy and environment
- Computational engineering
- Geophysics
Laboratory facilities are very well equipped in order to perform tests and analysis in different fields.
 |  |