Looking ahead

What will ETH Zurich be focusing on this year?

In times of global uncertainty, we need institutions that forge connections and promote dialogue. We see ourselves as bridge builders – between different disciplines, but also between science, industry and society. One example of this: with the new School of Public Policy, we are laying the foundations for improving the interaction between the worlds of science and politics and promoting informed decision-making in an increasingly complex world. The Swiss National AI Institute (SNAI) is another ground-breaking project: it pools the expertise of ETH and the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) not only to develop artificial intelligence further from a technological perspective, but also to ensure that it is used responsibly. The goal is to create a research environment that positions Switzerland as a location for trustworthy, reliable and transparent AI.

What innovations are planned in the field of teaching?

For many years, the teaching at ETH has been of a very high standard, due to the large number of reforms that have been introduced, both major and minor. However, this has resulted in some cases in courses that are too intensive and a highly complex teaching and examination schedule. We have reached the point where we need a fundamental reform of the basic conditions so that we can develop our teaching content and methodologies further. On the one hand, we plan to make modifications to the academic calendar. On the other, we will focus more closely on project- and problem-based learning in the future, for example by enabling students to work with companies to test their innovative ideas in a real-life environment.

Funding for Swiss universities remains an important topic. What is the perspective on the debate at ETH?

We started the autumn semester of 2024 with 13 percent more Bachelor’s students than in the previous year. This figure is a very positive development for ETH and for the economy, where our graduates are highly sought-after. The growing demand for an outstanding education and, at the same time, the limited funds available naturally present us with challenges. A wide-ranging discussion is needed to safeguard the foundations of a sustainable education system. One thing is clear to me: education must not be allowed to become a luxury. It is a central component of Swiss culture and innovative ability. I myself would not have been able to study at ETH if the tuition fees had been three to four times higher at the time.

What role does philanthropy play?

The generous support of, and our long-term partnerships with, our donors are crucial, in particular at a time when the financial circumstances are changing. Philanthropy is essential because it allows for innovative projects that require more than the basic funding. From scholarships for particularly talented students and ambitious young entrepreneurs through to support for key initiatives such as the School of Public Policy – all the support we receive takes us one step closer to a world worth living in for future generations.