The ministry

Activity areas of the Ministry of Research and Higher Eductation

The ministry of Research and Higher Eductation is responsible for organising, coordinating and overseeing the Luxembourg higher education landscape. Within this context, the MESR acts as the supervising ministry of the University of Luxembourg and is in charge of the accreditation of the programmes leading to a higher technician certificate (brevet de technicien supérieur) as well as of foreign higher education institutions established on the territory of the Grand Duchy and of their study programmes.

Regarding student support services, the MESR is responsible for the allocation of state financial aid for higher education as well as a number of international scholarships. It also provides an information service to students on all matters related to higher education.

The MESR is in charge of the academic and professional recognition of foreign higher education qualifications. Academic recognition is granted through the registration of the title or diploma in the register of formal higher education qualifications. Professional recognition of evidence of formal qualifications is granted to applicants in order to access a regulated profession. Concerning the latter, the MESR also ensures coordination of the Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications and acts as a national assistance centre.

In addition, the MESR defines, coordinates and implements the national public research policy.

The MESR acts as the supervising ministry of:

• Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST);
• Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH);
• Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER);
• National Research Fund (FNR).

The MESR subsidises the Max Planck Institute in Luxembourg, is a member of GIE Luxinnovation and participates in RESTENA.

In addition, the MESR ensures the follow-up in relation to higher education and research policy at European and international level.

In the field of higher education, the MESR participates in different groups and networks, particularly in relation to the implementation of the European Union's strategic framework "Education and Training 2020", in the follow-up of the Bologna process and in international networks regarding exchange of information on foreign higher education qualifications.

In regards to research activities, the MESR represents Luxembourg in the Competitiveness Council configuration of the European Union, in various councils and committees of the European Research Area as well as in European programme committees, particularly of the EU’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, called Horizon 2020.

At the international level, the MESR represents Luxembourg in international organisations such as the OECD and UNESCO as well as in the High Council of the European University Institute in Florence and the intergovernmental European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL).