ETH Zurich plans teaching and research center in Germany

Climate change, geopolitical instability, the energy crisis, supply chain disruptions, cyberattacks, the rapidly changing world of work: society is facing numerous global challenges. "One of the keys to solutions lies in the digital transformation. All forces are called upon - especially science and universities. They have a special responsibility to make their contribution," says ETH President Joël Mesot, explaining the motivation for this partnership.

Around 20 new professorships over the next 30 years

In order to help shape the digital transformation in a responsible manner, the non-profit Dieter Schwarz Foundation and ETH Zurich have signed a far-reaching declaration of intent. Over the next 30 years, around 20 professorships are to be gradually established with grants from the foundation.

President Joël Mesot is delighted: "The partnership with the Dieter Schwarz Foundation allows ETH Zurich to further develop its research and teaching, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, to an extent that would not be possible within the framework of regular ETH funding and structures." At the same time, this is the start of a collaboration of Europe-wide significance. Thanks to the additional professorships, ETH Zurich can significantly expand the strategic area of digital transformation and data science.

Gradual expansion in Zurich and Heilbronn

As a concrete first step, two new professorships in the field of computer science and data science will be established in Zurich and the Zurich Information Security and Privacy Center (ZISC) will be further developed. In addition, an endowment fund will be created at the ETH Foundation to establish the partnership in the long term and to make investments in the infrastructure in Zurich.

More than half of the additional professorships will be located on the educational campus in Heilbronn, which was established by the Dieter Schwarz Foundation. ETH Zurich plans to open a new teaching and research center there, its second branch abroad.

Germany, Switzerland and Zurich benefit

"This donation is a win-win situation for both Germany and Switzerland and strengthens the traditionally close research cooperation between the two countries," says ETH President Mesot. ETH Zurich is helping to establish an international research and education hub in Heilbronn in the field of digitalization and artificial intelligence. Not only will research be carried out there, but new courses will also be developed - from continuing education programs to degree courses. In return, a large proportion of the funding will flow directly into research, teaching and infrastructure in Zurich. The ETH researchers stationed in Germany will teach both in Heilbronn and in Zurich. A close exchange between the two locations is also planned at research level. "Joint research and jointly generated knowledge will benefit Switzerland, Germany, Europe and ultimately the whole world," emphasizes Mesot.

Networking with top international universities

The focus is on topics such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, bioinformatics and the circular economy. "International cooperation is needed more than ever in these areas," emphasizes Mesot. It is precisely this networking that is the aim of the educational campus in Heilbronn. ETH Zurich can benefit from the positive experiences in Singapore, where it has been operating a research center in the vicinity of the world's leading universities since 2010.

Source: ETH News