Our mission & strategy

ETH Zurich will continue advancing and promoting excellence in curiosity-driven basic research, teaching fundamental knowledge and skills as well as engaging in innovative partnerships, entrepreneurial ventures, and science-policy activities. 

ETH Zurich aspires to continuously serve society as a trusted source of knowledge and to assist societal actors in solving pressing challenges. It will invest in strengthening its ability to communicate and engage with partners from the civil society, policy, the private and the public sector across different channels.

ETH Zurich aspires to become a champion, living lab and trusted partner for all-scope decarbonization and circularity. It will thus act as a role model for a holistic approach to sustainability, combating climate change, reducing pollution, conserving resources, and fostering economic resilience.

ETH Zurich will continue to evolve as a lifelong learning institution with a robust portfolio of advanced study programmes, as well as learning paths for ETH Zurich employees. This portfolio will be developed in addition to the world-class education on the undergraduate and graduate levels for current and future leaders of academic institutions, the public and private sector.

ETH Zurich aims to operate seamlessly and integratively, enabling it to navigate complex environments while fostering both interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration. Organizational agility and a commitment to reinvention will be crucial for the institution to excel in delivering its core activities.

ETH Zurich aspires to embed AI Tools across the institution including in learning, teaching, research, and administration in a responsible, transparent, and ethical manner. The institution acknowledges that although AI can serve as an enabler, it also brings along significant ethical risks which can negatively impact individuals and our society at large.

ETH Zurich prioritises in-person teaching to develop independent, creative, and critical thinkers who take responsibility as active members of society and help shape a sustainable future. Research-​centred, interdisciplinary training, and continuing education enable its students and alumni to identify challenges and collaborate with stakeholders to find solutions which pay off – especially in times of crisis. ETH Zurich fosters a dynamic learning environment where lecturers have creative freedom, and where teaching methods continuously evolve to leverage the latest technologies and latest scientific discoveries.

Outstanding fundamental science discovery forms a cornerstone of ETH Zurich’s education and serves as the engine of innovation in today’s knowledge-​based world. Optimal framework conditions are necessary to enable and inspire excellent performance to exploit the immense potential of basic research for innovation. These conditions are supported by federal and third-party funding, and collaboration with the private sector. ETH Zurich supports interdisciplinary collaborations of researchers both within institutional networks, as well as with other scientific partners and industry. The aim is always to expand the boundaries of knowledge, promote sustainability, and open new strategic areas of action and applications to maintain and further expand ETH Zurich’s international leadership position.

ETH Zurich recognizes that knowledge and technology transfer are crucial for societal progress and economic prosperity. In addition to direct cooperation with partners from industry and government – for example, through joint research projects and science-based policy advice – ETH Zurich’s impact on the economy and society through start-​ups remains as strong as ever. One of the key ways ETH Zurich fosters a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem is by licensing research results and supporting the creation of spin-off companies. These successful start-ups receive valuable guidance, access to essential infrastructure, and connections within the business community during their critical early stages.

ETH Zurich believes in an open dialogue with society, recognizing that scientific progress and far-reaching technological change require collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders. Thus, it works closely with the public, alumni, policymakers, and businesses. The leading researchers, employees, and alumni of ETH Zurich provide expert guidance and a sound basis for decision-​making, thus making a key contribution to a fact-​based, democratic discourse. At the same time, ETH Zurich is committed to pushing the boundaries of science communication and policy advice, fostering proactive societal engagement for a positive impact.

ETH Zurich’s success hinges on several key factors: its people, the recruitment and retention of excellent scientists at all levels who conduct pioneering research and provide world-class teaching and education, and the development of staff and students into highly qualified experts and managers; strong local, national, and international networking with diverse interest groups; academic autonomy and a culture of support, trust, and responsibility; a governance with broad participation rights in addition to financial and academic autonomy combined with a strong sense of responsibility; its campus locations both in and outside Switzerland; and top-class infrastructure internationally recognized as strategic assets in attracting and retaining worldwide leading scientists and talents.