New "campus O" continuing education initiative strengthens provision in Upper Valais

25/04/2026
UniDistance Suisse

A new continuing education and services education offer is being launched in Upper Valais: the Regional and Economic Centre of Upper Valais (RWO), in collaboration with UniDistance Suisse, the Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences (FFHS) and ritzy*, has initiated “campus O”. The aim is to provide up-to-date, practical and easily accessible courses.

The “campus O” initiative seeks to develop a continuing education offer specifically tailored to the needs of the local economy in Upper Valais. It is aimed in particular at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), municipalities, professionals and the wider public. The courses are designed to be followed with a reasonable investment of time and cost, while delivering relevant knowledge in a practical way. Topics include communication, marketing, project management and data protection.

Data protection for SMEs

UniDistance Suisse is contributing with the course “Data Protection for SMEs”, which covers the essential principles and practical requirements for handling data. The course takes place over two evenings on campus and is delivered by Prof. Bruno Pasquier, Dean of the Faculty of Law. It is complemented by online learning components.

Dr Fabienne Marchand, Head of Continuing Education at UniDistance Suisse, emphasises:
“As the only Faculty of Law in the canton, we see it as our responsibility to support SMEs in meeting the growing demands of data protection. This course provides the key principles in a practical way and helps ensure that legal obligations are implemented with confidence.”

Pilot phase with potential for development

At present, the initiative “campus O” is in a pilot phase, with each partner offering an initial course. The programme will be further developed based on the insights gained.

Prof. Nicolas Rothen, rector, highlights the objectives of the initiative: “The collaboration with the Regional and Economic Centre of Upper Valais and the other partners enables us to develop a continuing education and services offer that is specifically tailored to the needs of the region. With ‘campus O’, a flexible format for continuing education and services is being created that promotes lifelong learning and allows participants to strengthen their skills in a targeted and concise way.”