Patrick Aebischer to step down from EPFL presidency at end of 2016

The Federal Council today re-elected Patrick Aebischer as president of the EPFL for a limited term of office until 31 December 2016. This corresponds with the unanimous motion of the ETH Board and reflects Patrick Aebischer's own wishes. After 15 years at the helm of the EPFL, it is Patrick Aebischer's wish to initiate the hand over of management responsibilities in good time. The Federal Council thanks him for his services to the institution and to education and research in Switzerland.

Succession: selection by the ETH Board

The President of EPFL will be appointed by the Federal Council on application of the ETH Board. With the presence of Lino Guzzella, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board will initiate the succession process at its next meeting in early March and submit an application for the appointment to the Federal Council in due time.

In this process, the ETH Board will first determine the job profile of the EPFL presidency in detail before the vacancy is advertised. The search for and evaluation of candidates will be conducted by the ETH Board as a whole. It will be a matter of importance for the ETH Board to consult notably the EPFL Assembly in an appropriate manner.

The decision concerning the application to the Federal Council for the appointment of the new EPFL President will be made by the ETH Board, who can propose an individual or a selection of suitable candidates. The aim is for the new EPFL President to assume office on 1 January 2017.