Press releases
The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI regularly publishes media information about its activities, projects, and programs.
Programme for the Development of Scientific Experiments (Prodex) celebrates its 40th anniversary
The European Space Agency's (ESA) Programme for the Development of Scientific Experiments (Prodex) is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Since 1986, the programme has provided funding for the development and use of scientific instruments and experiments. Switzerland played a key role in establishing Prodex and uses the programme to fund its space science experiments. In doing so, it promotes scientific excellence in ESA missions and missions run by international partners such as NASA, JAXA and CNES. The programme's achievements were celebrated in Zurich from 14 to 16 October.
Switzerland attends informal meeting of EU education ministers in Ireland
On 15 and 16 October, Silvia Studinger, Deputy Director and Head of the Higher Education and General Education Division at the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, attended the informal meeting of EU education ministers. The meeting, which took place in Dublin, Ireland, focused on strategies to strengthen basic skills and improve the ability of education systems to anticipate future skills requirements.
New agreement on digital trade
On 14 October, the Federal Council launched the consultation process on the plurilateral Agreement on Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce Agreement, ECA). The ECA establishes a common regulatory framework for digital trade among 67 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and enhances legal certainty for businesses. The consultation procedure will run until 28 January 2027.
Education scenarios vary widely by level of education
According to the Federal Statistical Office’s (FSO) reference scenario, the number of students attending Swiss higher education institutions is expected to continue to rise (+21% between 2026 and 2035) and to exceed 300 000 at bachelor and master degree level. This increase is largely attributable to population growth and a rise in the number of students from abroad. At the same time, owing to the decline in the number of births, pupil numbers in primary education are expected to fall significantly from 2029 (‒8% between 2026 and 2035), and those in lower secondary education from 2034. The number of secondary II pupils is expected to grow at least until 2035. These are the main results of the 2026–2035 education system scenarios.
Switzerland and India strengthen ties in a range of policy areas during presidential visit
On Monday 5 October, President Guy Parmelin met India’s President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other members of the Indian government in New Delhi. Discussions held with Mr Modi focused on economic relations and cooperation in the fields of education and research. Switzerland and India also concluded two agreements, one on migration and one on training exchanges for young professionals.
Switzerland and Germany strengthen their cooperation in research and innovation
On 30 September, the 17th bilateral meeting between the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation and the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space took place in Bern. During the meeting, State Secretary Martina Hirayama and State Secretary Marcus Pleyer signed a letter of intent to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in research and innovation.
The Swiss Marcel Benoist and Latsis Science Prizes have been awarded to a biochemist and a mathematician
Biochemist Martin Jinek has been awarded the prestigious Marcel Benoist Swiss Science Prize for his groundbreaking insights into cellular processes that paved the way for the breakthrough in genome editing. The Latsis Swiss Science Prize goes to mathematician Susanna Zimmermann for her pioneering research on the symmetries of geometric spaces, which enabled her to resolve a question in algebraic geometry that had remained open since the 19th century.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama to travel to China on science mission and attend WorldSkills Competition
From 21 to 28 September, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, will lead a science mission to China. The programme includes ministerial-level meetings and visits to science and technology institutions in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai. At the end of the mission, she will attend the awards ceremony of the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai.
Upper secondary education completed at the age of 25 or over: Income of CHF 5200 five years later
Of the approximately 90 000 first upper secondary qualifications awarded each year, 12% are completed by adults aged 25 or over, who number nearly 11 000. Five years before receiving their qualification, only 60% had earned an income from employment, and this group is over-represented among households with a low net equivalised income from employment (27%). Five years after obtaining their qualification, their situation had improved markedly: their income was close to that of the general population of the same age (CHF 5 200 per month), their employment rate stood at 80%, and they were, overall, under-represented among households with a low equivalent net income (17%). These are the main findings of a new publication from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
State Secretary Martina Hirayama represents Switzerland at the International Space Summit in Paris
The International Space Summit, convened at the initiative of President Emmanuel Macron, was held in Paris on 9 and 10 September. High-level representatives from government, science, business, the military and civil society discussed shared visions and approaches to key issues raised by the growth in space activities. Switzerland was represented by State Secretary Martina Hirayama.
Federal Council elects Tobias Walser to the ETH Board
On 2 September, the Federal Council elected environmental scientist Tobias Walser to the ETH Board as a delegate of the university assemblies of ETH Zurich and EPFL.
Rise in unemployment among higher education institution graduates between 2023 and 2025
Between 2023 and 2025, the unemployment rate (based on the ILO definition) one year after graduation rose among graduates of Swiss universities and institutes of technology (UIT) and universities of applied sciences (UAS). It rose from 3.9% to 6.4% among holders of a UIT master’s degree and from 3.4% to 4.9% among holders of a UAS bachelor’s degree. Among graduates of universities of teacher education (UTE), it remained low at just 0.7%. These are some of the results of the Swiss Graduate Survey, conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
CERN Director-General on visit to Bern
On 20 August, the president of the Swiss Confederation and head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), Guy Parmelin, welcomed CERN Director-General Mark Thomson for a working visit to Bern. Together, they reviewed the ties between CERN and Switzerland, where the organisation’s headquarters are located. Mr Parmelin assured the CERN Director-General of Switzerland’s support to ensure that CERN remains the global benchmark in particle physics.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama attends informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for research and innovation
On 21 July, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, travelled to Dublin to attend the informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for research and innovation. Held under the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the meeting focused on how Europe can optimally leverage research and innovation to improve European competitiveness.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama uses 2026 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting to foster international dialogue on education, research and innovation
On the sidelines of the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting on 28 and 29 June, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, held talks with several of her counterparts, including Dorothee Bär, German Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space.
Four in five graduates change jobs after completing professional education
Of those who obtained a professional qualification in 2020, 58% changed companies or started their own business and 20% changed roles within their company in the four years following their examination. These are the results of the second Survey on Professional Education by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
First meeting of the international coalition for science, research and innovation in Ukraine
On 26 June, the first high-level meeting of the international coalition for science, research and innovation in Ukraine took place in Gdańsk on the fringes of the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC). A joint declaration is intended to send a message of international solidarity in support of the reconstruction of Ukraine’s research and innovation system.
President Guy Parmelin leads economic and scientific mission to North America
From 29 June to 9 July, President Guy Parmelin will visit the US and Canada on an economic and scientific mission. He will then continue to Mexico, where he will meet President Claudia Sheinbaum. The purpose of the trip is to strengthen and extend Switzerland’s economic and scientific ties with North America. On 2 July, Mr Parmelin will attend the Swiss national team’s round of 32 match in the football World Cup in Vancouver.
Günther Dissertori to become the new president of ETH Zurich
On 24 June, the Federal Council appointed Günther Dissertori as the new president of ETH Zurich, following a proposal by the ETH Board. The 56-year-old is currently the rector of ETH Zurich and a professor of particle physics. He will take up his post on 1 January 2027, succeeding Joël Mesot.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama on a science mission to Canada
Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, will travel to Canada on a science mission from 15 to 19 June. While there, she will attend ministerial-level meetings and visit science and technology institutions in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. Discussions will focus on key areas including quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, life sciences and polar research.
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