The 2021-2024 strategic goals of the Federal Institutes of Technology
For Bern it is decisive to maintain excellence in research and teaching in Switzerland and around the world and to focus on collaborations at foreign and cantonal level
The Federal Council defines the strategic objectives for the ETH Domain for the years 2021-2024
On April 21, 2021, the Swiss government defined the strategic objectives for the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH Domain) for the period 2021-2024.
The main focus is on maintaining research and teaching excellence in international comparison.
Expenditure limit amounts to CHF 10.8 billion
In terms of time and content, the strategic objectives are in line with the Confederation’s budget limit of CHF 10.8 billion for the current financing period.
The Federal Council primarily calls upon the ETH Domain to continue to excel in research at the international level and to offer attractive, high-quality courses.
Other objectives are related to the central role that the ETH Domain plays in the Swiss education, research and innovation system, for example in the management and development of research infrastructures and their use by the entire scientific community.
In addition, collaboration with cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences and private research partners is to be strengthened and the entrepreneurial activity of members of the sector supported.
More interconnection with other renowned institutions
At the international level, cooperation and networking with renowned institutions must be further developed in order to remain attractive to the most talented students and the best researchers.
Compared to the previous period, the issues of digitization, energy, environment and sustainability are becoming even more important.
With regard to personnel, concrete measures must be taken to increase the proportion of women in teaching and research, particularly in management positions and decision-making bodies, to ensure equal opportunities, promote diversity and prevent all forms of discrimination and harassment.
From 2017-2020, the Federal Council will manage the ETH Domain through strategic objectives in accordance with the management principles of the institutions made autonomous by the Confederation.
There are six structures within the “ETH Domain”.
According to the ETH Act, it defines objectives every four years after consultation with the ETH Board.
The objectives are strategic in nature; operational implementation is the responsibility of the ETH Board.
This approach proved successful in achieving the objectives in the period 2017-2020: the Federal Council therefore did not consider it appropriate to substantially modify the strategic objectives for the new period 2021-2024, but where necessary, updates and clarifications were made and new priorities established.
In terms of timeframe and content, the strategic objectives are in line with the expenditure limit of the Confederation, which has been set by parliament at around CHF 10.8 billion for the period 2021-2024.
Each year, the Federal Council informs parliament and the public on the achievement of the strategic objectives in the ETH Domain.
Responsibility for implementing the strategic objectives lies with the ETH Board, which is the strategic management and supervisory body.
In addition to the two Federal Institutes of Technology in Zurich and Lausanne, the ETH Domain includes the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG).
