Universities Handbook of Switzerland

University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland - HES-SO Opened in 1997, the HES-SO is the largest professional higher education network in Switzerland. It currently hosts some 14'000 students: key dates. Its 27 schools located in 33 sites of the cantons of Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchtel, Valais, Vaud and Berne, its 31 sites offer courses and other services in six major fields of study: Engineering and Architecture, Management and Services, Design and Fine Arts, Health, Social Work and Music and Theater. The HES-SO has its head office at Delmont. This is where the administration and other central departments are located: organisational chart. The Strategic Committees form the highest decision-making body of the HES-SO. They are supported by an external council, the Advisory Board, made up of representatives from commercial and academic environments. An interparliamentary commission is responsible for the control of the HES-SO. This commission is made up of seven cantonal delegations, each with seven members. The Board of Directors is the higher operational body; it draws up documents on the basis of which the Strategic Committees make their decisions, and then ensures these decisions are carried out. It is responsible for the general coordination of the HES-SO, for the implementation of its missions and for the global financial management. It is made up of the directors of the HES-SO cantonal establishments and the heads of the fields of study.