The Future of Switzerland within the European Universities Initiative
Institute of Communication and Public Policy
Date: 2 June 2025 / 16:00 - 18:30
Aula Polivalente, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor, USI, Campus EST, Lugano
Join us for a public panel discussion and poster presentation exploring the impact and future of the European Universities Initiative (EUI) through the lens of Swiss participation.
Location: Campus EST, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano
This event brings together leading scholars and practitioners to reflect on the experiences and contributions of Swiss universities within the European Universities Initiative five years after its inception. It offers a unique opportunity for faculty, professional staff, students from USI, SUPSI, Franklin University, SFUVET, and the general public to engage with key stakeholders and learn about the diverse ways Swiss institutions are shaping and being shaped by this ambitious European project.
Programme:
16:00 - 17:45: Key Panel Discussion: The Future of Switzerland within the EUI (Aula Polivalente, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor)
This high-level panel discussion will delve into the strategic implications and future prospects of Switzerland's involvement in the European Universities Initiative. Our expert presenters will share insights from various alliances and perspectives, followed by a dynamic discussion with our esteemed panelists.
Moderators:
- Agata Lambrechts, Università della Svizzera italiana and Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training
- Alina Felder-Stindt, University of St. Gallen
Presenters:
- Léa Moreau, Research Advisor CIVIS, University of Lausanne (CIVIS): Platform for Temporary Experimentation or Profound Transformation? Reflections on the University of Lausanne’s Participation in the CIVIS Alliance
- Brigitte Kürsteiner, Local Coordinator PIONEER, Bern University of Applied Sciences (PIONEER): The challenge of the societal impact: A Swiss versus a European perspective on organisational actorhood in university alliances
- Myra Posluschny-Treuner, Project Manager EELISA European University, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (EELISA): The Role of the EELISA Alliance in Advancing the European Universities Initiative: A Case Study of ZHAW
- Fiona Thonier, 4EU+ Head of Local Office, University of Geneva (4EU+): Co-Creating European Higher Education: Lessons from 4EU+
- Gillian Olivieri, Deputy Director of International Affairs, Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne (EuroTeQ): EPFL experiences from EuroTeQ
- Ellen Kraus, Head of UniBE International, University of Bern (ENLIGHT): Special features at the University of Bern?
- Philipp Bieri, Core Officer Rector's Office, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ENHANCE): Being Swiss in a European Universities Alliance
Panelists:
- Michael Gerber, Ambassador, Director General International Programmes & Organisations, State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), CH
- Amanda Crameri, Head of Division Higher Education, Movetia, CH
- Benedetto Lepori, Professor at Università della Svizzera italiana, CH and the European Higher Education Sector Observatory, AT
- René Graf, Vice-Rector, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland (UNITA), CH
- Valentina Manzato, Una Europa Co-Senior Local Lead / Una.Futura Senior Project Lead, University of Zurich (Una Europa), CH
- Luciano Saso, Secretary General of UNICA, former Vice Rector of Sapienza University Rome, IT
17:45 - 18:30: Poster Presentations and Drinks Reception (Foyer, Block A, Level 0/Ground Floor)
Following the panel discussion, join us for a drinks reception and an opportunity to explore posters showcasing diverse aspects of Swiss universities' engagement within various European University Alliances. Authors will be present to discuss their work.
Posters:
| Number | Presenter and poster title | Name of HEI and alliance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marc Frick, Anna Tirronen, Viviane Schmidt: Intercultural cooperation on pressing societal challenges: A hybrid interuniversity approach to teaching sustainability in European University Alliances | University of Basel, EPICUR |
| 2 | Fiona Thonier: Co-Creating European Higher Education: Lessons from 4EU+ | University of Geneva, 4EU+ |
| 3 | Léa Moreau: A key result of the CIVIS alliance: The international master’s degree TRACEE | University of Lausanne, CIVIS |
| 4 | Laura Polexe: CHALLENGE.REGION@FHNW – Enhancing regional ecosystems through European Universities Cooperation | University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, ChallengeEU |
| 5 | Philipp Bieri: Being Swiss in a European Universities Alliance | ETH Zurich, ENHANCE |
| 6 | Laurent Dutoit: HES-SO's Engagement in UNITA: Innovation, Collaboration, and Impact | University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland, UNITA |
| 7 | Agata Lambrechts & Antonin Charret: A Tale of Two Approaches: Swiss and British HEIs and the European Universities Initiative | Università della Svizzera italiana and Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training, and the University of Oxford |
Drinks recepption is kindly sponsored by the Institute of Communication and Public Policy, Università della Svizzera italiana
Registration:
Places are limited to 50 participants and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Please register your attendance here
Registration will close once all places are filled.
We look forward to welcoming you!
