ETH Zurich and Davos are launching a new ETH studio
The ties between the research location Davos and the ETH Zurich are further strengthened. A milestone was reached in June 2022: ETH Studio Davos goes online.
Five years ago, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH) launched the first ETH studio in New York. Since then, the ETH studios Bangalore and West Coast have been added. Since June 30, 2022, the Grisons Alpine town of Davos has also joined this illustrious series of big names.
But what is it about the ETH-Studios and in particular the ETH-Studio Davos? ETH Zurich describes the offer as follows on its website: “ETH studios offer ETH students the opportunity to work in companies and other organizations in the field of digitization.
ETH Studios are located in some of the most dynamic regions in the world. They are thematically competent outposts that are closely connected to their innovative environment.” The innovative environment in the fall of the ETH studio in Davos is the city of knowledge.
Win-win for researchers and students
The concept provides for scientists in the Davos research institutes to define so-called “challenges” that describe project ideas in the digital field and that are suitable for internships by ETH students.
These defined tasks are advertised at ETH Zurich. If there is mutual agreement between ETH applicants and researchers in Davos, the project can start.
The ETH studios in Davos were launched with the announcement of the “Summer camp at Lab42”. This challenge is about human-level artificial intelligence and involves a group of ETH students defining or solving artificial intelligence tests over a week in Davos.
Further challenges from various institutes were submitted to ETH Zurich and are now being advertised on an ongoing basis.
Important step for the research canton
For Philipp Wilhelm, Mayor of the municipality of Davos, the launch is an important milestone. Shortly after the start of the legislature, Wilhelm, himself an alumnus of ETH Zurich, exchanged views with Jürg Brunnschweiler, Chief of Staff to the President of ETH Zurich, about various possibilities for closer cooperation.
The idea of an ETH studio in Davos came up, was promoted by regional developer Valérie Favre Accola and brought to Katja Bärenfaller from the board of directors of the City of Knowledge Davos for implementation. After various preparatory work and discussions, the kick-off meeting, among other things, took place in the ETH pavilion on the sidelines of the WEF annual meeting in May 2022.
The ETH Studio Davos strengthens the ties between the research canton of Graubünden and the research location Davos with the top education at the ETH Zurich and creates the opportunity for the local institutions to be able to fall back on young professionals who are eager to learn and learn.
This was made possible by the existing commitment of ETH Zurich in the canton of Graubünden, the Davos brand, the reputation of Davos as a city of knowledge and a dynamic political and scientific environment.
Strengthen cooperation between education and research
From the point of view of the Education, Culture and Environmental Protection Department of Graubünden and the cantonal office for higher education, the ETH Studio Davos is another important cornerstone for consolidating and further developing Graubünden as a place for education and research in the tertiary sector.
The current situation in the EU research programs Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, for which Switzerland is considered a non-affiliated third country, poses major challenges for research institutions.
International and European cooperation, being part of the international network and entering into cooperation with other universities and research institutions is a decisive success factor for the Swiss and thus also the Graubünden science and research location in the areas of research and education.
Cooperations bring students to Davos
Cooperation projects with universities that are in line with the government program for 2021 to 2024 are all the more important. The ETH-Studio Davos, which brings students to Davos, WILL further strengthen connections and exchange between the research institutions based in Graubünden and the internationally positioned ETH Zurich.
More on the subject: