THE ETH DOMAIN in BRIEF Mission Statement
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2017 THE ETH DOMAIN IN BRIEF Mission Statement The ETH Domain strives to strengthen the competitive- ness of Switzerland in the long term and contribute to the development of society through excellence in research, teaching and the knowledge and technology transfer. It endeavours to serve as an exemplary beacon by assuming its share of responsibility for the manage- ment of urgent social challenges, the enhancement of the quality of life, and the long-term maintenance of our natural resources. CONTENTS Facts & Figures 4 The ETH Domain 5 The ETH Board 7 The institutions ETH Zurich 8 EPFL 10 PSI 12 WSL 14 Empa 16 Eawag 18 Strategic focus areas 20 Key figures 2016 22 2 Preface Dear Readers Innovation is vital for competitiveness and for the success of our economy and, as such, for employment and prosperity in our country. The ETH Domain drives innovation in Switzerland. Its two universities, ETH Zurich and EPFL, and the four research institutes, PSI, WSL, Empa and Eawag, have forged a close working relationship with SMEs and industry. Thanks to this cooperation, the Swiss economy benefits from the exceptional expertise of the ETH Domain in research and innovation and is able to develop new products which give it an edge over its international rivals. Empa alone carries out 300 research and development projects a year with Swiss companies. The ETH Domain is dependent upon outstanding framework conditions in order to maintain its success in delivering its work in knowledge and technology transfer, in training specialists and in research. This includes adequate and stable financing by the Federal Government, Switzerland’s international reputation and openness, as well as the autonomy of the institutions of the ETH Domain. These framework conditions must also be factored into future political deci- sion-making. Zurich/Bern, March 2017 Dr Fritz Schiesser Chairman of the ETH Board ETH Domain in brief 3 Facts & Figures* 2,454m 21,054 Total federal contribution Employees** of which, 464 apprentices 30,351 829 Students Professors** and doctoral students from over 125 countries 230 3,400 Patent applications and Cooperations with industry 50 spin-offs and the public sector (rounded) ETH Zurich EPFL 1st in THE Europe Ranking 1st in “THE 150 Under 50” (continental Europe) Rankings 9th in THE World Ranking 30th in THE World Ranking 8th in QS World Ranking 6th in QS Europe Ranking * As of 31 December 2016 ** Employment contracts 4 The ETH Domain 11 Members Staff: 50 employees* ETH Board Federal Institutes of Technology over 19,000 students over 10,000 students 11,157 employees * 5,870 employees * ETH Zurich EPFL Research institutes 2,049 employees * 495 employees * 936 employees * 497 employees * PSI WSL Empa Eawag * Employments contracts including doctoral students as of 31 December 2016 Teaching and research as well as — The Swiss Federal Laboratories knowledge and technology transfer for Materials Testing and Research at the very highest level worldwide: (Empa), this is the mandate given by the — The Swiss Federal Institute of Federal Council to the six institutions Aquatic Science and Technology of the ETH Domain. These comprise (Eawag). — The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), In addition, the ETH Board (a stra- — The Swiss Federal Institute of tegic management and supervisory Technology Lausanne (EPFL), body) and the Internal Appeals — The Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Commission (an independent — The Swiss Federal Institute for appeals body) also belong to the Forest, Snow and Landscape ETH Domain. Research (WSL), ETH Domain in brief 5 Tasks and principle goals The two Federal Institutes of Technology and the four research institutes have the objectives — to educate students and specialists in scientific and technical fields and ensure continuing education and training, — to expand scientific knowledge through research, — to foster upcoming young scientists, — to render scientific and technical services, — to perform public relations activities and make practical use of their research findings. This is all stated in the ETH Act. The Swiss Federal Council and Parliament issue the performance mandate, usually for a four-year period, which gives a clear expression to these goals. Within the framework of this performance mandate the ETH Board sets forth the strategy of the ETH Domain, presents it to the policy- makers and federal offices, and regularly reports on the progress made in achieving the objectives. The two Federal Institutes of Technology and the four research institutes are responsible for the operational leadership of the institu- tions of the ETH Domain. Education and research bear some of the responsibility when it comes to mas- tering the great challenges of our time such as the environment, the use of resources, healthcare, economic prosperity and social welfare. The ETH Domain endeavours to honour this responsibility. The ETH Board laid out the key points in its strategic planning for 2012–2016. Priority is given to high quality teaching that is closely affiliated with research. ETH Zurich and EPFL promote the advancement of the students and invest in an ideal supervision, in professorships, scientific personnel and modern infra- structure. 6 The ETH Board The ETH Board has comprised the following people from politics, business and society (since 1 January 2017): — Dr Fritz Schiesser — Marc Bürki President of the ETH Board, CEO of Swissquote Holding AG former federal State Councillor and Swissquote Bank AG — Prof. Dr Paul L. Herrling — Beatrice Fasana Vice-President of the ETH Board, Managing Director of Chair Novartis Institute for Sandro Vanini SA Tropical Diseases — Dr Dr h. c. Barbara Haering — Prof. Dr Lino Guzzella President of the Board of President of ETH Zurich Directors of econcept AG — Prof. Dr Marin Vetterli — Beth Krasna President of EPFL Independent Member of — Prof. Dr Joël Mesot the Board of Directors Director of the PSI — Christiane Leister — Kristin Becker van Slooten Owner and CEO of the Leister Group Delegate for the University Assemblies of ETH Zurich/EPFL, MER* at EPFL Management of the institutions The two Federal Institutes of Technology and the research institutes are managed by: — Prof. Dr Lino Guzzella — Prof. Dr Konrad Steffen President of ETH Zurich Director of WSL — Prof. Dr Martin Vetterli — Prof. Dr Gian-Luca Bona President of EPFL Director of Empa — Prof. Dr Joël Mesot — Prof. Dr Janet Hering Director of the PSI Director of Eawag * Maître d’enseignement et de recherche ETH Domain in brief 7 ETH ZURICH www.ethz.ch ETH Zurich is one of the leading technical and scientific universities. It is well-known for its excellent teaching, pioneering fundamental research, and the direct transfer of new findings to real-world applications. The ETH Zurich provides an inspiring environment for researchers, and a comprehensive education for students. Established in 1855, today the ETH Zurich has nearly 20,000 students and doctoral students from 120 countries. Around 500 professors are currently engaged in teaching and research in the fields of natural science, engineering, architecture, mathematics, system- oriented sciences, and in management studies and the social sciences. In the international rankings ETH Zurich is regularly identified as one of the world’s top universities, and in 2016 it once again achieved a top-ten ranking, even claiming first spot in continental Europe (THE World and Europe Rankings). 21 Nobel laureates have studied, taught or done their research here. The innovations of the university flow into the most forward-looking sectors, from infor- matics to micro- and nanotechnology, or high-tech medical equip- ment. The 90 or so patent applications each year, the 355 spin-off companies that have been set up since 1996, and the 800-plus research contracts with businesses, all go to show how successful ETH Zurich is in imparting its knowledge to the economy and society. ETH Zurich contributes to the sustainable solution of global chal- lenges. In addition to the emphasis it places on sustainability in which it explores questions around sustainability and global food supply, ETH Zurich also focuses on data science (for example, on ever more important cyber security) and health. ETH Zurich will be offering a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine. 8 Cybathlon 2016 Walking upright despite being paralysed: Philipp Wipfli achieved fifth place in the Step by Step exoskeleton race. The motorised “VariLeg” support apparatus was developed by a team of students and doctoral students from ETH Zurich. (Photo: Nicola Pitaro/ETH Zurich) You can find more information at: www.ethboard.ch/fascination ETH Domain in brief 9 Ageing and nutrition Nutrition researcher Johan Auwerx, professor at EPFL and Marcel Benoist Prize laureate in 2016 in recognition of his work on mitochondria, their role in the metabolic process and how metabolic processes affect health and ageing. You can find more information at: www.ethboard.ch/fascination 10 EPFL www.epfl.ch EPFL is the birthplace of the modern computer mouse, as well as ambitious scientific projects and sustainable innovations such as the transparent-dye solar cells, the solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse, the ultra-fast yacht Hydroptère, and the EU flagship programme the Human Brain Project (HBP). The prestigious university provides teaching facilities for every study level, from Bachelor’s to Doctorate, and has grown at an impressive rate since it became a federal institution in 1969. Situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, EPFL houses 14,000 people: over 10,500 students and some 5,800 staff members working in the fields of teaching, research, technology and administration, including more than 340 professors. The campus with the Rolex Learning Center as its distinguishing feature, unique in the world, provides the most appealing living conditions and the most modern working facilities in the field of teaching and research. People from more than 125 nations meet here every day at what is one of the world’s most international universities.