Press releases
The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI regularly publishes media information about its activities, projects, and programs.
State Secretary Hirayama attends informal EU ministerial meeting on competition in research and innovation
On 31 March, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, attended the informal meeting of EU research ministers. The meeting was held online under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Participants exchanged views on how Europe can leverage its scientific excellence to bring economic added value and achieve global competitiveness.
President Guy Parmelin meets with Chinese Minister of Education
President Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, met with Chinese Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng in Bern on 23 March. Following the meeting, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, chaired the sixth meeting of the Joint Working Group on Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training.
ESA Council meeting at delegate level takes place in Switzerland
On 18–19 March 2026, the 345th Council meeting at delegate level of the European Space Agency (ESA) took place in Interlaken. Renato Krpoun, head of the Swiss Space Office at the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), currently holds the chair of the ESA Council at delegate level. The Council is meeting in Switzerland as Renato Krpoun's three-year term of office is soon coming to an end.
Understanding and dialogue between the scientific and political communities and society as a whole needs to be further strengthened
During the first Swiss Research and Innovation Summit held on 17 March 2026 in Bern, experts from the scientific community, politics, administration, the business community and civil society discussed the role scientific expertise plays in politics and society. The purpose of this event was to promote and strengthen an understanding of the need for scientific consultation and mutual dialogue between the scientific community and society as a whole.
Switzerland and Brazil deepen their cooperation in education, research and innovation
On 16 March, the seventh meeting of the Switzerland–Brazil Joint Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation took place in Bern. The aim was to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries in these areas and to set future priorities.
Switzerland–EU package agreement signed in Brussels
On 2 March, President Guy Parmelin and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed the agreements comprising the Switzerland–EU package in Brussels. The agreements were initialled by the chief negotiators on 21 May 2025 and approved by the Federal Council on 13 June 2025. The dispatch on the Switzerland–EU package is expected to be approved for submission to Parliament in the course of this month.
Federal Council submits act on space operations: future-oriented framework conditions for Swiss players
On 25 February 2026, the Federal Council has adopted the dispatch and draft of a federal act on space operations for submission to Parliament. The proposed legislation is intended to enable players in Switzerland to exploit technological and economic opportunities in space. It also sends a signal that Switzerland is a forward-looking and responsible space nation.
President Parmelin meets Indian Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi, announces 2027 AI summit for Geneva
President Guy Parmelin has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other heads of state and government at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where discussions focused on the use and international governance of artificial intelligence. Switzerland remains committed to this debate and will host an AI summit in Geneva in 2027.
President Parmelin to attend summit on artificial intelligence in India
President Guy Parmelin will represent Switzerland at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi next week. The summit serves as a forum for discussions on the implementation and use of AI. During his visit to the event on Thursday, 19 February, Mr Parmelin will meet with heads of state and government and hold bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Switzerland and South Korea exchange on Science and Technology
The 7th meeting of the Swiss-South Korean Science and Technology Joint Committee was held in Bern on 4 February 2026. On the Swiss side,the meeting was formally opened by State Secretary Martina Hirayama and chaired by Ambassador Jacques Ducrest, Head of International Relations at the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). On the South Korean side, the meeting was led by Sunghoon Hwang, Director General of the South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT). It served to assess and to strengthen the bilateral ties in research and innovation.
Switzerland and Kuwait celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations
On Monday, 2 February, President Guy Parmelin joined Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Kuwait to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He also held talks with Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah and met representatives of Swiss companies.
Switzerland attends informal Meeting of EU Education Ministers in Cyprus
On 29 and 30 January 2026, Rémy Hübschi, Deputy Director of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), attended an informal Meeting of EU Education Ministers in Cyprus. The event in Lefkosia (Cyprus) focussed on reinforcing the teaching profession.
Six new National Centres of Competence in Research strengthen Swiss cutting-edge research in strategically important areas
President Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), has decided to launch six new National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs). The federal government thus seeks to reinforce Swiss research and innovation activities in strategically important areas such as medicine, quantum technology and climate. During the initial operating phase from 2026 to 2029, the federal government will provide CHF 98.7 million in seed funding for these extensive research undertakings. Participating higher education institutions and research institutes will contribute additional funding at least equal to the amount provided by the federal government.
Place of residence influences access to apprenticeships
Access to apprenticeship places in Switzerland differs significantly depending on where young people live. This is shown by a new study conducted by the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training SFUVET. It sheds light on the still little-known structure of regional apprenticeship markets. Around 95 per cent of young people have access to more than 100 of the roughly 250 apprenticeship pathways in Switzerland when searching for a training place.
Federal Council confirms Tanja Zimmermann as director of Empa
On 28 January, the Federal Council appointed Professor Tanja Zimmermann to a further four-year term as director of the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa). This term will run from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2030.
Nomination procedure launched for Marcel Benoist Swiss Science Prize
This year, the Marcel Benoist Swiss Science Prize, endowed with CHF 250,000, will be awarded in the field of life sciences (biology and medicine). Nominations can be submitted up to 23 February 2026. The prize has been awarded every year since 1920.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama on science mission to U.S.
From 1 to 5 December, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Martina Hirayama will undertake a science mission to San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and Boston. The purpose of the visit is to strengthen the excellent relations between Switzerland and the United States in education, research and innovation and to explore opportunities for future cooperation. The trip will also provide a platform for exchanging views on cooperation on vocational education and training and apprenticeships.
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.
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