Dear visitors

It is our pleasure to present to you our new Swiss Learning newsletter.

At this time when globalisation and profiteering threatens to take over humanity, our country continues to offer a first class education through both its pre and post university studies to become the leader in scientific research. The tailor-made Executive Masters and MBA of the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne could be considered as an example in this sector.

The trip made recently by a Swiss Learning delegation to the United Arab Emirates, India and Saudi Arabia, demonstrates our wish to promote the Excellence of Swiss Education around the world and to maintain the link between the former students and our country.

Last but not least, the success of our first "Swiss Learning conference" that took place in Lausanne with the presence of the Ambassador, Mr. François Barras, leads us to the start of a cycle of conferences with the objective to promote the excellence of Swiss education.

Enjoy reading!

Christophe Xavier Clivaz
Director

Swiss Learning around the World

A Swiss Learning delegation recently made a trip to India, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. These regions are part of the fastest growing countries in terms of economy. They have unavoidably become an important place for the development for any enterprise.

Our objective was to promote our country to local partners as a major actor in the educational field. Various events, such as meeting with the local authorities and reunion with local partners, were organized in collaboration with the Swiss Embassies and Consulates.

The General Consul, Mr. Bruegger surrounded by the Swiss Learning Alumni

A press conference was organized in Abu Dhabi by His Excellency Mr. Wolfgang Amadeus Bruelhart where Mrs Kathy Riklin, member of the Swiss Parliament and Christophe Clivaz presented Switzerland as a country for education, research and innovation.

As our main mission is to maintain the link between our former students and their school or university in Switzerland, we were pleased to have been able to organize Alumni reunions in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Taking into account the number of former students who were present at these events, shows the strong link that they maintain with their ex-school or university.

Swiss Learning Conference in Lausanne

Swiss Learning organized, on 20th February this year, their first conference at the Hotel Beau Rivage in Lausanne, under the theme of:

"The promotion of Swiss education internationally, the public-private partnership: a vision of the future crucial to our country". Presented by His Excellency Mr. François Barras, Swiss Ambassador in Beirut.

Mr. François Barras, Ambassador

A round table discussion followed, which was chaired by Mr. Stephan Benoit-Godet, chief editor of the "Bilan"
magazine accompanied by prestigious orators such as Mr. Pierre Keller director of ECAL / University of Art and Design Lausanne and Mr. Philippe Gudin Director of Institut Le Rosey.

Mr. Pierre Keller, Director of ECAL / University of Art and Design Lausanne

The presence of the important players in the Swiss education sector shows the growing importance of creating synergies between the private and public domains for the promotion of our educational system but still maintaining our individual specificities.

This conference leads us to the start of a cycle of conferences with the objective to promote the excellence of Swiss education.

Education: EPFL

Tailor-made in Lausanne

EPFL, or École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, has been a pioneer for more than 150 years. By offering flexible continuing education programmes such as the Executive Master or its Executive MBA, it carries on this tradition.

When it comes to continuing education, fast-growing companies are often caught in a trap: the staff needs to rapidly develop new skills, but their bosses can't do without them.

Here's where EPFL comes in with its offering of Executive Masters or short courses, which can be tailored to specific company needs and scheduled to complement employee commitments.

Located on the shores of Lake Geneva in Western Switzerland, EPFL is one of two Federal Institutes of Technology in the Alpine nation, the other being ETH in Zurich. In the past decade EPFL has transformed into one of the most successful universities internationally, according to many recent University rankings. With a campus of more than 10,000 people, EPFL is a thriving hub of ideas and has teaching staff and students drawn from all over the globe. It has recently been named the world's most international University by Times Higher Education Supplement. And it is not just all about academia: like many modern universities, the institute strives to stimulate collaboration between students, professors and entrepreneurs. The key phrases in this process are technology transfer and "open innovation", i.e., harnessing new ideas and making them a practical reality. An example might be the team of EPFL researchers who, in 2005, succeeded in controlling the speed of light using an inexpensive procedure that they believe could be used in telecoms.

Over the years, EPFL has played a role in launching numerous start-ups in the fields of engineering, life sciences and computer and communications sciences. Around 100 companies are based on the University's campus and EPFL says at least one new start-up is created every month. Given its strong track record in nurturing ideas and entrepreneurial talent, it is building a strong reputation as a place that innovative companies can turn to in order to acquire new skills and knowledge and keep ahead of the latest developments.

EPFL's School of Continuing Education caters specifically to company employees at management level, who are looking to build their knowledge or update their skills in order to meet the challenges of an increasingly technology intensive economy. A range of courses is on offer: from short courses tailored to company needs through to Masters degrees. EPFL offers, for example, global Executive Masters programmes in E-governance, Management of Technology, Management of Logistical Systems and Urban Utilities Management. Masters of Advanced Studies (MAS) are also available in Sport Administration and Technology, Architecture and Sustainable Development, Tunnelling, Energy, Hydraulic Engineering and Construction. Longer courses are divided into shorter modules, some of which can be taken independently of one another. That means participants can study for a qualification at their own pace, without having to sacrifice their professional lives and projects.

The School even offers companies the option of designing courses to fit their needs: company managers can learn on campus in Lausanne, or in-house at the company's premises. While the option of not having to stray too far from your desk might appeal to busy executives, there are also major advantages to attending classes and seminars at the institute's main campus. As Prof. Matthias Finger, the Dean of EPFL's School of Continuing Education explained, EPFL has a vibrant student and teaching community, with a truly global outlook. "As industry competitiveness increasingly depends upon technological innovation, any company or manager seeking to stay abreast of the latest developments should seek out EPFL's cutting edge executive programs or short courses in technology management" said Finger.