In November 2013, the three types of Swiss higher education institutions, i.e. the universities, the universities of applied sciences and the universities of teacher education, founded a joint association: swissuniversities. Swissuniversities is to replace, in about two years, the so far still separate Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities (CRUS, one of ACA’s members), the Fachhochschulen (universities of applied sciences – KFH) and the specialized institutions for teacher education (COHEP).

Martina Weiss has now been appointed as secretary general of swissuniversities and will take office on 1 January 2014. Her first priority will be to successfully complete the merger of CRUS, KFH and COHEP. Once this has been achieved, she will concentrate on intensifying cooperation between the three types of higher education institutions and at the same time promote the specificities of the three sectors. 

Martina Weiss won the post in a highly competitive selection procedure. A molecular biologist with a PhD from Switzerland’s reputed Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich (ETH), she serves at present as the Secretary of the Swiss University Conference (SUK), a joint institution of the federation and the cantons in the area of university collaboration. Earlier positions included that of the head of SwissCore, Switzerland’s renowned liaison office for education and research in Brussels. Her appointment was well received in Switzerland.

We wish Martina Weiss success and luck with the considerable tasks ahead of her.

Swissuniversities