Switzerland’s domestication, breeding and cultivation of scientific ideas
It might be slightly off the standard tourist trail but there is a lesser acknowledged hallmark of Switzerland – namely, Swiss universities and research centres. For aspiring scientists, these establishments have a firm place on their wisdom itinerary. Switzerland’s educational environment is conducive to both secondary-school students as well as top academics.
A global scientific hub
The increasing number of Master’s courses being offered in English is indicative of Switzerland’s popularity as a place to study. Or take the number of important companies that choose Switzerland as their research base, eg IBM, Novartis and Philip Morris. It places them on the doorstep to the latest scientific developments and in close proximity to the headquarters of thousands of multinational companies that have followed the Switzerland-bound relocation trend.
For centuries, Switzerland has harboured scholars who had been persecuted at home for their scientific or political ideas. When Zurich University opened in 1883 its teaching posts were filled by Germans, fleeing from a failed revolution. How does the country today preside and attract people to its global scientific hub?
Brainpower – Switzerland’s valuable resource
The groundwork to Switzerland’s favourable learning environment is its exceptionally high investment in education, which is considered an essential pillar of domestic policy. Its dual education system means that two thirds of secondary-school students embark on a vocational education, providing a solid professional basis for life-long learning. Low tuition fees add incentive for people to stay in education, a resource that is highly valued by the population.
Heavy investment is further targeted at universities. About three quarters comes from both private and multinational companies. Such close contact between businesses and research centres helps to develop the infrastructure for scientific research. Due to its relatively flexible labour market, high transparency and respect for the law, Switzerland has developed a sophisticated business culture helping make the country competitive. This in turn spurs on scientific and high-tech research to sustain a top-quality economy and generate wealth.
The home of pioneering research
Expenditure on research and development covers a grand total of 2.9% of GDP, one of the largest in the world. The mutual dependency between R&D and university knowledge flows means scientists studying at the country’s research institutes and universities are well-placed to make ground-breaking studies. Not just do its individual universities receive high rankings, eg Zurich’s ETH is ranked 20th university in the world by the Times Higher Education, but the country as a whole constantly tops the league tables for new ideas. High scores are also sighted in the large number of patents the country holds, the most per capita.
The scope of their influence is concurrently reflected in that their scientists have the highest publication rate per scientist at 750 per 1,000 researchers. According to Swiss State Secretariat for Education and Research, each publication receives on average 7 citations, which is among the highest in the world. That Switzerland has no fewer than 120 Nobel Laureates, one of the highest per capita (this includes non-Swiss nationals who were affiliated with Swiss universities and research institutes) is no surprise.
A country with such renowned status for scientific and technological enquiry bears with it a certain intrigue for aspiring scientists. Many universities have therefore decided to open up their doors to students of science from both Switzerland and abroad to participate in summer schools. These enriching months-long courses give students the encouragement and practical experience needed for a successful scientific career.
The University of Basel runs a summer nursing course for PhD students, with intentions of opening it to Master’s students as well. It gives training fellows valuable insights into methods of systematic reviews and meta-analysis.
The University of Berne’s climate summer programme for PhD students and post-doctorates uses an interdisciplinary approach to study and assesses the issue of climate change. Funding by the NCCR – Switzerland’s centre for excellence in climate and climate research – allows participants to interact and gain contacts with leading climate researches.
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne has a summer programme for undergraduates, Master’s and PhD students of life sciences, giving hands-on practice, weekly seminars and developing the student’s appreciation of science. A formal written report of their findings is submitted by each student at the end of the course, giving them real participation in the scientific community.
Applications for these summer courses are especially competitive, attracting the most zealous young researches, many whom, afterwards impressed by the academic eminence in Switzerland, decide to pursue their future scientific careers here. A positive feedback loop is created.
Another way that Switzerland allows the world to share in its scientific development is through an organization called ThinkSwiss. In cooperation with the Swiss Confederation it promotes knowledge-sharing between the US and Switzerland. Up to 15 scientific research scholarships per year are awarded to American students to spend a term at a Swiss University.
Swiss secrecy? – not when it comes to research
It is not just academic institutions that are putting this tiny country on the international scientific scene. The NCCR, the National Centre for Competence in Research, sets the stage for Switzerland’s scientific diplomacy. One of the organization’s programmes which elegantly proves that Switzerland is at the forefront is the NCCR Climate Research Programme. Climate change is set to become the most imperative security issue on the international political agenda. NCCR has placed Switzerland as one of the leaders in the movement to combat climate change. In typical Swiss style, the project attracts education centres, government and businesses into what is fundamentally a scientific matter. This climate project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation is a network between the universities of Bern, Fribourg, ETH and Geneva, a number of federal agencies and Swiss Re, the reinsuring company.
The project takes a holistic view on the matter in order to get to the core of the problem. Long before climate research was on everybody’s lips, the organization has been the source of knowledge concerning climate change as well as the pioneer of possible solutions. What’s more, being in Switzerland, their projects are of course innovative. For example, thanks to the NCCR, the Jungfrau region is home to the world’s first climate iPhones. Visitors to the region can rent iPhones with inbuilt GPS alerting one to the climate troubled “hotspots” along the mountain routes. The iPhone presents audio information about the particular spot. This is a beautiful example of how Switzerland’s research and education is not confined to the classroom but manages to find its way into tourism.
An important part of the NCCR is education. The Swiss may prize secrecy when it comes to banking, but in the domain of science and education, conscious efforts to disseminate knowledge are de rigueur. NCCR publishes numerous brochures about its findings and for those that are more academically orientated there are countless opportunities to join the scientific community. The organization supports and encourages young people to pursue further study in science. Meetings between PhD students and post-doctorate students are regularly organized. The next 9th Young Researchers Meeting is taking place at Centre Loewenberg near Murten on 10–11 June 2010.
The golden ticket
In addition to universities and research centres, big players in industry are also doing their part. CERN and Roche have a large role to play in shaping Switzerland’s scientific education.
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, allows students to share in its groundbreaking research; it has Technical Student Programmes, which gives students paid training as part of their studies. Following the trend of other research centres, CERN also has a summer programme, where students in engineering, IT, physics or physical chemistry partake in academic training lectures, workshops and compile project reports. Doctoral students in engineering, applied physics or IT are also invited to submit their PhD thesis and join the academic training. There are also short-term student programmes for those that would simply like a taster of what it is like to work at CERN.
It would of course be expected for research institutes to offer incentives for education but maybe less so of multinational corporations. However, the Basel-based biotech company Roche, ardent to live up to the Swiss reputation for scientific education, has established an international post-doctorate Fellowship to support outstanding young scientists in cooperative R&D projects between Roche and academic institutions. The aim is to promote young talent and in the long term it is hoped that the fellowship programme will become an international platform for scientific excellence. Such proposals are ways of staying true to the company’s principles of furthering groundbreaking research.
Initiatives such as these are an important undertaking for the global scientific community. Holding such a prominent position within a field of expertise almost inflicts a sense of responsibility upon the status holder. Out of its own scientific superiority and for the sake of disseminating scientific advancement, Switzerland takes these extra steps to convene the world’s finest minds into an intellectual powerhouse.
Switzerland’s innovative environment, top facilities, inquisitive approach, science-friendly policies and strong intellectual property rights continue to attract researchers and celebrated professors.
Those that come here can be assured that their research is not limited to the confines of the laboratory. The Swiss consider the promotion of its research to be an important task. This is not only because it is beneficial for society but also to warrant continued funding. The Innovation Promotion Agency provides that vital link between laboratories and industry. There is also aid to apply scientific solutions to acute social and economic problems. The National Centres in Competence in Research (NCCRs) and National Research Programmes (NRPs) cover problems ranging from sustainable water supply, stem cells and smart materials to religion, state and society. For those still in between their doctoral thesis and assistant professorship there are supporting grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).
These institutes contribute to an effective research structure in Switzerland and strengthen its competitiveness. Since Switzerland has no natural resources, science, technology and innovation become the defining aspects of the economy and, consequently, part of the larger cultural framework. Its political climate has had a long tradition of innovation and the world certainly knows where to turn for scientific diplomacy.
Article by Paula Svaton