"Students first"

On 18 November, ETH Zurich celebrated its 162nd year. Swiss Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer discussed the importance of ETH to Switzerland to an audience of distinguished guests from science, industry and politics. “ETH has made a major contribution to Switzerland’s great reputation, its economic growth and thus our prosperity,” said the head of the Federal Department of Finance. In his view, education is one of Switzerland’s most important resources. If the country is to maintain its high standing in the future and stay competitive internationally, sufficient financial resources must be made available and measures taken to ensure long-term planning.

ETH President Lino Guzzella emphasised how important it is for ETH’s success that individual professorships be given sufficient autonomy and resources. “These ‘science SMEs’ know their specialist areas best. They bring the latest scientific findings to bear in teaching, using the most effective educational methods, and they contribute to enhancing knowledge and transferring it to industry and society,” explained Guzzella. As progress often comes about through uniting ideas from different disciplines, more “science SMEs” are needed, who, by networking with one another, can push the boundaries of their specialist fields. Guzzella also pointed out that only respectful interaction can create an atmosphere conducive to success.   

Big names at ETH Day

The ETH Rector awarded five honorary doctorates at ETH Day 2017. Two of these went to this year’s Nobel laureates in physics and chemistry – Kip Thorne and Richard Henderson, respectively. Thorne, Professor of Theoretical Physics at CalTech, is a pioneer in the general theory of relativity and its application to astrophysical phenomena. Last year, Thorne and his team observed gravitational waves for the very first time – a breakthrough after decades of research. Henderson, a molecular biologist in Cambridge, also revolutionised his field, developing cyro-electron microscopy for studying the structure of biomolecules.

Françoise Brochard-Wyart, professor at the Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris, was also awarded the title of honorary doctor. The French physicist set up various research fields and enabled fundamental insight into capillarity in living systems. Bruno Reichlin and Fabio Reinhart, two central figures in the architecture of the late 20th century, received honorary doctorates from ETH Zurich too.

A dynamic university

Students first – declared ETH Rector Sarah Springman in her ETH Day speech. “Only if we train our students as highly qualified specialists and responsible members of society, can they give back to Switzerland what has been invested in them,” she emphasised. Dividing the first-year examination into two parts and offering a wide range of teaching methods are just two ways in which ETH is seeking to increase the learning success of students, without compromising on quality. She hopes that events such as Treffpunkt Science City and Scientifica, and activities with secondary schools will inspire even more young people to explore scientific and technical subjects.

“In an increasingly complex and connected world, specialists in new areas will be in demand,” said Springman. Taking this into account, in addition to the new Bachelor’s programme in Human Medicine, ETH launched a Master’s programme in Data Science two months ago.