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Emergency mode at ETH has led to many changes: from teleworking and virtual lectures to online events, concepts that were still in their infancy a few months ago have now become the new normal. In this interview, Lukas Vonesch, Head of Human Resources, speaks about the hectic changeover period, the challenges that have been mastered, and how lockdown has opened up new ways of working.

Emergency mode at ETH has led to many changes: from teleworking and virtual lectures to online events, concepts that were still in their infancy a few months ago have now become the new normal. We spoke with Gerd Kortemeyer, who heads the Educational Development and Technology office (LET), about his experience under emergency operations, the ideal mixture of online and classroom teaching, and which aspects of the lockdown are here to stay.

A survey of ETH Zurich professors reveals their approval of the university’s air travel project. Many of the respondents have already reduced their business air travel in recent years. Virtual events could be a sensible alternative.

Despite the university going into emergency mode, staff at the Registrar’s Office have continued working in the Main Building. While the office now lacks face-to-face contact with its most important group of stakeholders, adapting to unforeseen events is nothing out of the ordinary for those who work there.

Pharmacy student Ilario Scapozza is helping out at a pharmacy during the corona crisis. Doing something useful motivates him in these troubled times, and he’s developing skills that will be valuable for his career too.

To support the initiative helpfulETH, ETH members are producing essential items for hospitals. A workshop manned by student volunteers on the Hönggerberg campus has already started producing face shields and a sterile device for protecting smartphones and tablets from the virus.