Press releases
The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI regularly publishes media information about its activities, projects, and programs.
ESA Council Meeting at Ministerial Level 2025: Laying the foundations for a resilient and competitive European space sector
The Council Meeting at Ministerial Level of the European Space Agency (ESA) held in Bremen on 26-27 November focused on the strategic orientation and financing of key space programmes for the coming years, totalling EUR 22.1 billion. Switzerland, represented by State Secretary Martina Hirayama, will contribute EUR 771 million to strengthen and advance the space sector in Europe together with its European partners.
Over 40% of graduates of professional education courses occupy a managerial position
The likelihood of a managerial position in the workplace increases following graduation and remains stable at 40% four years after graduation. These are the results of the first Survey on Professional Education by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Switzerland and the United Kingdom discuss science and innovation
The third meeting of the Swiss-British Joint Committee for Science and Innovation was held in London on 21 November 2025. The meeting was chaired by State Secretary Martina Hirayama and the British Director of International Research and Innovation, Adam Jackson, and served to assess and improve bilateral co-operation in research and innovation.
In 2024, fewer students had experienced international mobility
In 2024, 19% of students in higher education in Switzerland had undertaken a temporary study period, work placement or other mobility experience in another country since starting their studies, seven percentage points lower than in 2020 (26%). When surveyed for the first time about their experiences of discrimination, 25% of students said they felt discriminated against in their studies on various grounds such as gender, nationality or language. Many more findings are presented in the main report of the 2024 Survey on the Social and Economic Situation of Students, conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Federal Council increases contributions for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships without impacting costs
On 19 November, the Federal Council amended the Ordinance on Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, thereby increasing monthly scholarship contributions to CHF 2,450 starting from 1 January 2026 . This ensures that this funding instrument remains attractive for promising foreign students and researchers and continues to strengthen international exchange at Swiss universities. To implement this change without impacting costs, the number of scholarships available will be reduced. In addition, postdoctoral scholarships will no longer be awarded from the 2027/28 academic year.
Switzerland and EU sign agreement on Swiss participation in EU programmes
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and EU Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva signed the Switzerland-EU programmes agreement in Bern on 10 November 2025. This part of the Switzerland-EU package can be provisionally applied with retroactive effect from the beginning of 2025. Switzerland is thus associated to Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme and the Digital Europe programme. The agreement also paves the way for association to ITER, Erasmus+ and EU4Health.
State visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa: Switzerland and South Africa strengthen relations
The state visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa is serving as an opportunity for Switzerland and South Africa to strengthen relations. On Wednesday, 29 October, five documents on future cooperation were signed. Prior to that, the South African president was received by the full Federal Council. Official talks focused on bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries at international level.
844 000 adults in Switzerland struggle with reading, maths and problem solving
In Switzerland, 15% of people aged 16–65 have poor literacy, numeracy and adaptive problem-solving skills. This equates to around 844 000 individuals. Compared with the overall population, they are less likely to be employed and tend to earn less. They also report lower levels of well-being and social participation than people with higher skill levels. These are the findings of a new report by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) based on data from the OECD's Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC).
Nearly a quarter of Swiss university graduates did an internship after their studies
In the five years following their graduation, 23% of people who graduated from a Swiss higher education institution in 2016 or 2018 did at least one internship. The proportion of those who did an internship varied greatly depending on their field of study. With hindsight, almost 90% of the graduates would still do an internship even though their employment situation five years after graduation was less favourable overall than that of those who did not do an internship. These are the main findings of a new publication by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Switzerland and Japan sign Memorandum of Cooperation in the quantum field
From 29 September to 5 October, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Martina Hirayama led a scientific mission to Japan aimed at strengthening bilateral collaboration between the two nations.
EAER to fund two new multidisciplinary research and innovation projects in the space sector
The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) has decided to support two new research and innovation projects in the space sector. The projects focus on robotics and optics, respectively, and aim to deliver scientific excellence and pioneering cutting-edge technologies. With a total of just over CHF 6 million allocated to these two projects, the federal government is seeking to strengthen the international standing of Swiss universities and industry players in space research.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama on scientific mission to Japan
From 29 September to 5 October, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Martina Hirayama will lead a scientific mission to Japan aimed at strengthening collaboration between the two nations. Her programme includes high-level meetings, visits to leading institutions and discussions with start-ups and cutting-edge companies.
Switzerland participates in G20 discussions on research and innovation
On 23 September, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, attended the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting in South Africa.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama on a science mission to South Africa
Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, will be in Pretoria and Cape Town on a science mission from 25 to 26 September. The aim of the trip is to strengthen long-term cooperation between Switzerland and South Africa in the fields of education, research and innovation. The science mission follows a G20 meeting on science and innovation, which State Secretary Hirayama will attend.
Marcel Benoist and Latsis Swiss Science Prizes are awarded to a physicist and a lawyer
Physicist Tobias J. Kippenberg has been awarded the Marcel Benoist Swiss Science Prize for his excellent work in quantum optomechanics and the generation of optical frequency combs. Dr Saskia Stucki has been awarded the Latsis Swiss Science Prize for her in-depth contributions at the interface between animal, human and environmental law.
Switzerland at informal EU ministerial meeting in Denmark on VET
On 11 and 12 September, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, attended an informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for vocational education and training. At this gathering in the towns of Billund and Herning (Denmark), they endorsed the Herning Declaration, thus setting the stage for European cooperation in vocational education and training.
Solid key skills facilitate workforce integration
People with high-level literacy, numeracy and problem-solving skills are better integrated in the workforce. Regardless of their level of qualification, such candidates have access to better paid jobs and take part in more continuing education and training. In Switzerland, four out of five employed people have average to high-level reading (81%), arithmetic (85%) and problem solving (79%) skills. According to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), these skills are crucial to success in the workplace, directly affecting people’s employability, income and participation in continuing education and training.
Two-thirds of higher education graduates change jobs within five years of completing their studies
Two in three higher education graduates changed jobs in the five years following their graduation in 2018. Almost a quarter saw their hierarchical position rise after one to five years following graduation, which generally resulted in a higher income (+13% to +18%) and greater satisfaction in their new job (up to +47%). These are some of the results of the second Swiss Graduate Survey (EHA), conducted in 2023 by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Switzerland and India discuss cooperation in science and technology
On 1 September, the 7th meeting of the Indo-Swiss Joint Committee on Science and Technology took place in Bern, co-chaired by Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, and Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology. The discussions centred on bilateral cooperation in research and innovation. The next meeting is expected to be held in India in 2027.
State Secretary Hirayama attends Informal EU Ministerial Meeting on Competition in Research and Innovation
On 16 and 17 July, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, attended the informal meeting of EU research ministers in Copenhagen (Denmark). The policy discussions focused on promoting key technologies in Europe and the design of the next EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation from 2028. State Secretary Hirayama also took the opportunity to hold bilateral talks with counterparts from various countries.
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