Established in 1998, Haute École Spécialisée de Suisse Occidentale (University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland) is a non-profit public higher-education institution located in the large town of Delémont (population range of 10,000-49,999 inhabitants), Jura. This institution also has branch campuses in the following locations: Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Genève, Sion, Lausanne. Officially recognized by the Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation, Schweiz (State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation of Switzerland), Haute École Spécialisée de Suisse Occidentale (HES-SO) is a large coeducational Swiss higher education institution. Haute École Spécialisée de Suisse Occidentale (HES-SO) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. HES-SO also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.