“We need more time to reflect”
Rector Günther Dissertori explained on the 169th anniversary of ETH Zurich the fundamental objective he was pursuing with a reform package in teaching. President of ETH Zurich Joël Mesot and Federal Councillor Albert Rösti also spoke to the many guests from politics, business and science. The Head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications and former ETH graduate gave this year’s ceremonial address.
In brief
- ETH Zurich welcomed guests from politics, business and science as it celebrated its 169th birthday on 16 November.
- In his address, Rector Günther Dissertori presented a new reform package that will also have a bearing on the academic calendar.
- This year’s ceremonial address was given by Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, Head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications and former ETH graduate.
ETH Rector and physicist Günther Dissertori drew attention in his address to how relative time is and how breathless our time has become. The Rector quoted from the famous novel Il Gattopardo, where it is written: “If we want everything to stay as it is then everything will have to change”. He continued to point out that if ETH is to deliver sound solutions in this accelerated world, it is essential for it to have time to reflect and peace of mind.
Dissertori therefore presented a new reform package that is intended to offer students more of precisely this. Specifically, this means that the examination session will be moved from the end to the beginning of the summer semester break. As the ETH Rector explained, this will create more time for activities such as internships in industry, summer schools and personal development. The objective of this reform is “for our students not just to accumulate knowledge but to go out with it into society and use it – for society.”
Renowned dancer Giulia Tonelli made an appearance at ETH Day, accompanied by the Academic Orchestra of Zurich. The Academic Orchestra of Zurich, conducted by Lukas Meister, played to the great delight of the guests.
ETH is building bridges
In view of the tensions and hostilities around the world, President of ETH Zurich Joël Mesot called for more “forces that unite and do not divide, that see opponents as part of the solution rather than the problem”. ETH Zurich had always been a bridge-builder, said Mesot. ETH Zurich attempted to build bridges in society and the economy, for instance by providing industry with the latest technological know-how. The planned School of Public Policy to be established by former Federal Chancellor and ETH graduate Walter Thurnherr was intended to strengthen dialogue with policymakers.
The President of ETH Zurich also mentioned that 13 percent more undergraduates had started a Bachelor’s degree programme at ETH this autumn semester, reflecting the ongoing attractiveness of ETH. However, growth was also a challenge. The President of ETH Zurich showed understanding for the planned tripling of tuition fees for foreign students but at the same time warned against American conditions with eye-watering tuition fees. Mesot continued: “I don’t know what it would have been like for young Albert Rösti from Kandersteg if tuition fees back then had been three or four times as high. What I can tell you is that Joël Mesot from the Greyerzerland wouldn’t have been able to enrol to study at ETH.”
Every confidence in ETH
Thirty years after his graduation, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti returned to his alma mater as a guest speaker. In his ceremonial address, he described ETH as a knowledge generator that had fundamentally changed Switzerland in the past and also picked up on the theme of bridge-building. And with a view to the future the Federal Councillor continued: “The symbiotic connection between our country and ETH will gain even more importance.” Federal Councillor Rösti went on to point out that the success of ETH and that of Switzerland were based on the broad scope of action of the liberal order and the successful linking of cosmopolitanism and Swissness.
Also a day for the students
Students are also given plenty of opportunity to have a say at ETH Day. Nic Cantieni, President of the Union of Students at ETH Zurich, accordingly addressed the guests on behalf of all students. The topic of tuition fees for foreign students has preoccupied not just the Executive Board over the past year, but also the Union of Students at ETH Zurich which, according to Cantieni, fears that a financial obstacle would exclude talent and cost-cutting measures curb innovation.
Following his address, the President of the Union of Students at ETH Zurich presented selected lecturers with the Golden Owl. This award is bestowed on particularly committed lecturers nominated by the students. As well as the Golden Owl, Professor Nicola Spaldin received the Award for Best Teaching.
Further representatives of the students on this day were Sandra Haltmeier and Reinhard Wiesmayr. They provided concrete insights in their talks into current research work at the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. Their work addresses AI, albeit in different contexts.
Five honorary doctorates and two honorary councillors
Five outstanding scientists received honorary doctorates this year from ETH Zurich. Professor Jason W. Chin is a pioneer in expanding the genetic code of cells and to date has developed widely used approaches for shedding light on protein interactions.
Another researcher included among those selected for honorary doctorates is Professor Scott E. Denmark. The US chemist completed his doctoral studies at ETH Zurich in 1980 under Alfred Eschenmoser and received the award for his development of new catalytic concepts and useful synthesis methods.
The third honorary doctorate went to Professor Helen H. Hobbs. She was singled out for the discovery of human gene variants that influence the cholesterol level and fat distribution within the body. This discovery makes it possible to develop more individual approaches for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and liver diseases.
Rector Dissertori bestowed a further honorary doctorate upon Professor Maria Leptin. She was singled out for her discovery of the molecular and cellular processes during gastrulation and for her outstanding engagement within the scientific community and her promotion of excellency as Director of EMBO. She has also been President of the European Research Council since 2021. She has significantly shaped the European research landscape in these functions.
Last but not least, Professor Susan Trumbore also received this special ETH award. The researcher has been Director at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry in Jena since 2009 and plays a key role in the quest to gain an understanding of the interactions between the biosphere, the carbon cycle and the Earth’s climate.
ETH also appoints persons making notable contributions to supporting the university as honorary councillors on ETH Day. This year the award was bestowed on the economist Andréa M. Maechler who has provided important impulses for global economic policy and strengthened the cyber security of the Swiss financial infrastructure through innovative projects.
The other new honorary councillor is entrepreneur and former ETH graduate Walter Fust who after studying mechanical engineering at ETH Zurich led one of the most prominent Swiss companies to success and is actively involved in the ETH Foundation.