History
HWZ Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration was founded in 1986 as the part-time HWV (Höhere Wirtschafts- und Verwaltungsschule) by the Swiss Commercial Association and the Juventus Schools Foundation. In 1998, HWZ was granted University of Applied Sciences status. In 2016, HWZ became the first University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland to receive institutional accreditation under the HFKG, and in 2023 it was successfully re-accredited.
HWV – from innovative full-time option to a successful part-time model
HWZ has its roots in the Höhere Wirtschafts- und Verwaltungsschule (HWV), launched in 1968 by the SIB Swiss Institute for Business Administration. SIB itself was established in 1963 as a continuing education institution by the then Swiss Commercial Association (SKV).
HWV operated as a three-year full-time day school, typically following a commercial apprenticeship, and prepared graduates for demanding roles in business and public administration. The full-time HWV programme became independent in the mid-1970s, relocated from Zurich to Winterthur in 1996, and in 1997 became part of what later became ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, as the Department of Business and Management.
1973: Feature “Antenne”: 100 Years of the Swiss Commercial Association (in German)
Frame: from min. 3:55 Feature HWV 1973 (100 Years SKV), 15 sec.
HWV/HWZ founding rector Prof. Hugo E. Götz
The idea of a part-time version of HWV emerged in 1985 during discussions between SIB and the Juventus Schools Foundation. Together, they had already offered a successful work-compatible programme for business engineers. Building on the long-standing success of the full-time HWV and responding to growing demand for part-time training, the first part-time HWV programme launched in 1986. The first work-compatible HWV cohort completed their studies in 1990 with federal recognition.
Ten years after its launch, HWV had more than 500 students, and preparations to obtain University of Applied Sciences status were well advanced. In 1998, the Federal Council granted HWV approval to establish a University of Applied Sciences: the “Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Verwaltung Zürich” was born. Since 2006, the University of Applied Sciences has officially been known as “HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich”.
“Grounded in practice, designed for practice” – transfer orientation as a consistent part of our DNA
Many HWV and HWZ graduates have gone on to build notable careers. Examples include Daniel Grieder, who has helped position the brands Tommy Hilfiger and Hugo Boss internationally; Ancillo Canepa, president of FCZ; and Marianne Wildi, CEO of Hypothekarbank Lenzburg and recipient of the “Diamond Star Award” in the Women in Banking & Fintech category (2021). These are just a few examples of career paths that began at HWV or HWZ.
Since 1986, the “From practice – for practice” transfer principle has remained central. It is supported through the sharing of best practice and through networking events that bring together HWZ alumni and current students. These activities are supported by alumni HWZ, chaired by Prof. Dr Georges-Simon Ulrich, Director General of the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
“First mover out of passion” – first Swiss university of applied sciences with institutional accreditation in accordance with HFKG
Under the Higher Education Funding and Coordination Act (HEdA/HFKG) of 30 September 2011, institutional accreditation is a requirement for retaining the right to use the protected designation “University of Applied Sciences”. The Swiss Accreditation Council accredited HWZ Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration as an institution of a University of Applied Sciences at its meeting on 9 December 2016. HWZ was the first higher education institution in Switzerland to undergo and successfully complete the institutional accreditation procedure under HEdA/HFKG. The accreditation procedure was carried out by the Swiss Agency of Accreditation and Quality Assurance (AAQ). The full expert report is available on the AAQ website. In 2023, HWZ was successfully re-accredited.
Historical education statistics for the Higher Schools of Economics and Administration (HWV), 1968–1999
At the Chair of Historical Educational Research and Education System Governance at the University of Zurich (UZH), the research project “Education in Figures” is being conducted under the direction of Prof. Dr Lucien Criblez. This project compiles, comments on and contextualises long-term statistical series for all educational levels and programmes in general and vocational education in Switzerland during the 19th and 20th centuries. Among other things, it includes historical education statistics for the Higher Schools of Economics and Administration from 1968–1999.
Further reading
Bucher, Thies / Dürsteler, Urs (Hg.): Von der Fachhochschule an die Universität. Eine Bestandesaufnahme der Durchlässigkeit im schweizerischen Hochschulsystem, Bern 2011 (HWZ-Schriftenreihe für Betriebs- und Bildungsökonomie, Bd. 11).
Ebnöther, Christoph: Kleine Geschichte der HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich. Festschrift zum 30-Jahr-Jubiläum 1986 – 2016 der Fachhochschule, Zürich 2016.
Hasler, Ursula: Die Entstehung einer Hochschule. ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften, Zürich 2011.
Maienfisch, Edith: Die Kunst, sich im Sattel zu halten. Statuskämpfe und soziale Mobilität im Zuge der Schweizer Fachhochschulentwicklung im Bereich Wirtschaft seit Mitte des 20. Jahrhunderts, Wien/Zürich 2018.
Meier, Peter: Berufsbild des Betriebsökonomen HWV, Winterthur 1976.
Nieberle, Sarah / Dürsteler, Urs: Bildungsrenditen von schweizerischen Fachhochschulabschlüssen. Eine empirische Analyse der Studiengänge Wirtschaft und Dienstleistungen, Bern 2017 (HWZ-Schriftenreihe für Betriebs- und Bildungsökonomie, Bd. 18).
Pätzmann, Monika: Die Fachhochschulen in der schweizerischen Hochschullandschaft. Dargestellt und diskutiert am Beispiel der Abschlüsse in Architektur und Betriebswirtschaft, Zürich 2005.
Schmid, Daniel C.: Dr Victor Bataillard: Mediator, Publisher, Visionary, in: Organisator 10/2009, 21.
SIB Schweizerisches Institut für Betriebsökonomie (Hg.): Die Zukunft der Führung. Eine Trendstudie. SIB Schweizerisches Institut für Betriebsökonomie (1963–2013), Zürich 2013.
Weber, Karl et al. (Hg.): Programmatik und Entwicklung der Schweizer Fachhochschulen, Bern 2010.
Winkler, Walter: 100 Jahre Schweizerischer Kaufmännischer Verein, Zürich 1973 (Verlag des Schweizerischen Kaufmännischen Vereins).