Critical Thinking to be incorporated into a larger platform

Studying at ETH is an excellent opportunity to gain fundamental research expertise in the natural and engineering sciences and the methodical skills required to solve complex problems. To apply that knowledge in society and business, however, students need further abilities beyond mere expertise: analytical reflection on concrete issues, creative and critical thinking, and problem-solving in interdisciplinary teams are some of them. The capacity to construct sound arguments, communicate your position and generally act responsibly are highly relevant to the practical application of research skills, too.

Launched in 2015, the Critical Thinking initiative (see ETH News, 13.02.2015) sought to teach students those interdisciplinary skills. Both the initiative and its organisational context have changed since. Since Gerd Folkers’ retirement in 2018, there has been no official head of Critical Thinking, for instance. In recent years, Critical Thinking (abbreviated as CT-ETH) has been managed by the Rector’s staff, and it was developed further during the pandemic-related interruption of in-person teaching.

A group led by Andreas Vaterlaus, Prorector for Curriculum Development, devised a concept for stabilising and further integrating CT-ETH at the behest of the Rector and presented it to the Executive Board. The new concept corresponds to the education objectives of ETH Zurich's current strategic planning for 2021–2024 and the Vision Learning 2040. Critical Thinking, the group concluded, is consistent with an academic mindset and culture of thinking, which the programmes of study available at ETH Zurich must seek to foster in specially designed formats.

A part of the Collaborative Learning Platform

Critical Thinking is to be incorporated into a comprehensive Collaborative Learning Platform. The new platform will encompass all courses and projects that are overseen by the Rector and convey interdisciplinary skills, such as ETH Week, ETH Singapore Month, ETH Talent and the Student Project House.

By integrating Critical Thinking with related educational programmes and projects, the Executive Board and Rectorate aim to establish a “biotope of interdisciplinary skills”, which will be more efficient and resource-friendly than a collection of many individual programmes and initiatives.

At its last meeting, the Executive Board has emphasised that Critical Thinking must remain visible at ETH. It will also continue to focus on fostering an academic culture, as started under Gerd Folkers, through guest lectures, workshops and publications.

Overall, the focus of the original Critical Thinking initiative will shift towards a greater emphasis on skills.