International Affairs - Relations Internationales - EPFL

Progress-Report_DEF.qxd:Layout 1 5.6.2007 3:00 Page 2 

The Team 

Prof. Martin Vetterli, Vice-President for International Affairs 

Marius Burgat and Deputy to the Vice-President – China, Offshore Activities and Campus, 

Interactions with the Swiss Government 

Sylvie Dentan, Assistant to the Vice-President – Organization, Welcoming visitors, Foundations 

International Affairs 

Dr Antoine Fromentin and Barbara Weber – Survey of International Contacts at EPFL, Participation 

in University Networks and Associations, Exchange Programs and Bilateral Agreements 

Dr Michel Jaccard – QA, Accreditation, Recognition of EPFL diplomas, Fundraising 

Carolyn Magnani – International Alumni Relations, PhD Alumni Network 

Dr Dimitrios Noukakis and Béatrice Belogi – International Marketing and Recruitment, Promotion of 

the Master’s Programs, Master’s Fellowships 

Prof. Pramod Rastogi and Dr Barbara Baumann – India, Russia 

Nicolas Musy and Xiao Zhen – China 

Cooperation@epfl 

Prof. Jean-Claude Bolay – Direction 

Corinne Waridel – Assistant to the director, administration 

Dr Gabriela Tejada – ISAB-COOP, GIAN Project 

Dr Gabriele Schachermayr – Programme Manager, Indo-Swiss Collaboration in Biotechnology 

Barbla Rüegg Wüthrich – Assistant Indo-Swiss Collaboration in Biotechnology 

Yuri Changkakoti – MAS DTS, EPFL-SDC Fund 

Magali Schmid – Inter-School Project: Crisis Engineering 

Benjamin Michelon – Evaluation and monitoring Projects (PRUD, Morocco, Madagascar) 

Dr Alexandre Repetti – Inter-School Project: I&T Technologies for Environment, UNESCO Chair, MAS DTS 

Sven Bolomey – Inter-School Project: Urban Technologies for Development, UNESCO Chair 

Vice-Presidency for international Affairs 

Progress Report 2005-2006


Foreword 

The Vice-Presidency for International Affairs (VPRI), established 

two years ago, is a pioneering initiative by EPFL in its 

organization. Building on the groundwork carried out by 

Prof. Dominique de Werra’s previous International Relations 

Unit, VPRI has now expanded its strategic role. 

VPRI activities now extend to the enlarged EU (European 

Union), to North America and to Asia (especially China and 

India). As in the past, part of EPFL’s work in international 

relations aims at organizing student exchange opportunities 

through MoUs 1 and ensuring the EPFL’s presence at student recruiting events. In 

2004, the State Secretariat for Education & Research (SER) mandated EPFL with 

the coordination and implementation of the Indo Swiss Joint Research Programme 

(ISJRP). This program was jointly initiated by the Swiss and Indian Governments and 

aims at increasing the number and scope of collaborations between Swiss and 

Indian scientists through the promotion of joint research projects. 

VPRI pursues a policy of active promotion of the EPFL’s master’s programs, focusing 

on the dynamic campus environment of students, PhD candidates, young 

researchers and professors. This activity is coupled with fundraising to generate 

more scholarship and fellowship awards. All these projects are making steady 

progress. 

The multiplicity of global actors in higher education, the uneven quality of their 

services, and occasionally occurrences of fraud in certain countries, are strengthening 

the need for Quality Assurance for the sake of transparency at the bachelor 

and master levels. The basic framework conditions are laid out in the Bologna 

process. In 2006, EPFL once again took the lead by requesting an accreditation of 

its master’s programs and recognition of its Quality System by two European 

agencies (CTI and OAQ 2 ), based on the ENQA 3 quality standard. 

1 MoU: Memorandum of Understanding. 

2 Commission des Titres d’Ingénieur (F: Academic and Professional recognition) 

et Organe d´Accréditation et d´assurance Qualité des hautes écoles suisses (OAQ). 

3 European Network for Quality Assurance (ENQA). 

Because EU information does not freely flow to Swiss universities, EPFL often finds 

itself in a position in which it needs to make assessments of EU initiatives in the 

EHEA 4 . In a fast-changing world, gathering information are core missions for the 

VPRI team, for instance through addressing targeted invitations to top universities 

or participation in reputed academic networks. 

EPFL has a long tradition of North-South commitments in close association with 

the Swiss government’s cooperation activities, as attested to by the success of the 

Cooperation@epfl group led by Professor Jean-Claude Bolay. The Cooperation 

Group has been awarded a UNESCO Chair in Technologies for Development. The 

group focuses in four priority areas: sustainable development for cities; disaster 

management; renewable energy; environmental information and communications. 

The Chair will bring better visibility to these activities and facilitate partnerships with 

institutions in emerging and developing countries. 

Finally, the VPRI’s leadership also relies on the quality of contacts established 

with EPFL programs, Schools and particularly with the Vice-Presidency for 

Academic Affairs. I wish to thank our partners for these fruitful collaborations 

and, last but not least, all VPRI collaborators for their commitment. 

Prof. Martin Vetterli 

EPFL Vice-President for International Affairs 

4 European High Education Area (EHEA).


Content 

Impressum.................................................................................................6 

A: International Affairs....................................................................7 

1. Mission and Vision ..............................................................................8 

2. Driving Forces...................................................................................10 

3. Goals, Achievements and Prospects .................................................12 

3.1 Priority countries: India, China, Russia..........................................12 

3.2 Welcoming Visitors .....................................................................16 

3.3 Interactions with the Swiss Government .......................................18 

3.4 Survey of International Contacts at EPFL ......................................19 

3.5 Participation in University Networks and Associations....................20 

3.6 Exchange Programs and Bilateral Agreements..............................22 

3.7 International Marketing and Recruitment,.....................................24 

Promotion of the Master’s Programs 

3.8 Master’s Fellowships, Foundations and Fundraising ......................29 

3.9 Recognition of EPFL Diplomas .....................................................30 

3.10 Quality Assurance and Accreditation ............................................32 

3.11 International Alumni Relations: PhD Alumni Network .....................33 

3.12 Offshore Activities and Campus ...................................................34 

B: Cooperation@epfl .....................................................................35 

1. Introduction.......................................................................................36 

2. Scientific Cooperation for Development at EPFL ..............................36 

3. The Creation of Cooperation@epfl....................................................37 

4. ISAB-COOP Team of Experts .............................................................38 

5. Enabling Technologies for Development and Beyond .......................40 

5.1 UNESCO Chair in Technologies for Development ...........................41 

5.2 Indo-Swiss Collaboration in Biotechnology (ISCB)..........................41 

5.3 Interschool Projects ....................................................................43 

5.4 EPFL-SDC Fund..........................................................................45 

5.5 Seed Money Funding Program ....................................................46 

5.6 MAS in Development, Technologies and Society (MAS DTS)...........46 

5.7 Cooperation and Development Conference 2006..........................47 

6. Strategic Axes and Guidelines for the Future ......................................48 

7. Cooperation@epfl’s Budget and Future Objectives ............................ 49


6 

VPRI 

Impressum 

Editor-in-chief, design: Michel Jaccard 

Proofreading, control: Mary Parlange, Anne Viscolo 

Published: June 2007, 1100 copies 

Address 

Dr Michel Jaccard (michel.jaccard@epfl.ch) 

Senior Scientific Advisor, Vice-Presidency for International Affairs 

EPFL VPRI, CM 2 204, Station 10 

CH-1015 Lausanne 


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1. Mission and Vision 

Mission statement 

Vision 

The Vice-Presidency for International Affairs (VPRI) facilitates and develops the 

international mission of EPFL (and of the ETH Domain). It provides support to the 

EPFL members. 

The Vice-Presidency is the promoter of the international educational experience 

and of international academic “intelligence” for the EPFL community. This unit is a 

key contributor to the globalization process of the EPFL and its growing reputation 

as a major international educational and research institution. 

The Vice-Presidency’s core missions are: 

to identify international centers of academic excellence (crucial academic 

information gathering, identification of best practices, early detection) and 

develop appropriate partnerships; 

to offer EPFL students opportunities to study abroad in leading universities; 

to attract the best students worldwide; 

to design and promote selected global/offshore activities. 

The Office for International Affairs enhances EPFL’s visibility as an institution of 

international renown by developing activities such as: 

active networking with key universities; 

efficient positioning of EPFL in first-rate international university associations; 

reaching out to the alumni, EU and EHEA 5 communities to promote international 

themes and to strengthen the international components of the curricula, 

research and student/faculty activities (doctoral programs included). 

5 European Union and European High Education Area (EHEA). 

Role 

The Vice-Presidency is the organizational link between all EPFL Programs that 

have international components. The whole team regards itself as: 

a promoting, coordinating and moderating actor in international relations, 

responsible for assuring the continuity of the policies and activities of EPFL’s 

international affairs; 

a service provider for scholars and academics, for local and international students 

and for EPFL staff. 

The Vice-President for International Affairs, a member of the EPFL Senior 

Management Team, is responsible for handling and implementing policy issues 

and for the further development of the university’s internationalization strategy. 

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2. Driving Forces 

Internationalization of Higher Education 

The internationalization of higher education is a great opportunity for EPFL: it gives 

EPFL students a chance to gain international experience and attracts a larger 

number of gifted international students to the campus (especially in master’s and 

doctoral programs). To remain a world-class university, EPFL must also enhance 

its international image and be competitive in global higher education, especially 

in the aforementioned programs. An EPFL education must match or better the 

quality standards of the US’s best technological universities. The EPFL campus 

has the advantage of a long tradition of internationality. 

An important objective for EPFL is to educate top international scientists and 

engineers. Switzerland needs young and qualified entrepreneurs to ensure its 

economic growth in the future. 

Internationalization of higher education at EPFL also includes providing aid to universities 

in the developing world, a role for which there is a long tradition at EPFL. 

Impact of the EU and EHEA 6 

European policy in research and higher education has a strong impact on Swiss 

academic policy. EPFL is currently gathering information on three main projects. 

The Bologna Process: the Bologna Declaration of 1999 laid the basis of a process 

for establishing a European Higher Education Area. Apart from the new guidelines 

for the doctorate and postdoc – to be set by the forthcoming Communiqué of the 

Conference of the European Ministers of Higher Education (London, 2007) – EPFL 

has implemented all recommendations of the Bologna process. 

EU enlargement to the East is guiding EPFL’s promotional activities in the new 

member states. 

6 European Union (EU) and European High Education Area (EHEA). 

European Institute of Technology (EIT): the concept of an EIT was first introduced 

by the Commission in 2005. On 18 October 2006 the Commission put forward a 

proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing 

the EIT. The Commission is proposing an integrated, two-level structure of the 

EIT that combines both a bottom-up and a top-down approach: a governance 

structure based on a Governing Board (GB). The GB will set the strategic priorities 

of the EIT and take charge of Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). KICs 

are joint-ventures of partner organizations representing universities, research 

organizations and businesses. The participation of EPFL institutes in KICs (climate 

change, bioinformatics and life sciences, nanotechnology) represents a challenge, 

but is also a unique opportunity to enhance EPFL’s reputation and visibility. The VPRI 

is making use of its existing networks (CLUSTER, CESAER, etc.) to position EPFL at 

the top level in the EIT project. 

European Research Council (ERC): the European Union is taking a major step 

towards the realization of a European Research Area by financially supporting 

scientific research. The ERC will be the first pan-European funding agency for 

cutting edge research. Early stage as well as fully established investigators will 

be able to compete for ERC grants with scientific excellence as the sole criterion 

for funding. The acceptance of EPFL projects will increase the institution’s prestige, 

its presence on the European stage as well as increase EPFL’s third-party funding. 

In close cooperation with VPAA, VPRI aims to provide researchers with adequate 

and relevant information on ERC governance and programs. 

The promotion of PhD programs and the development of “offshore” research 

centers and institutions mobilize the EPFL Office for International Affairs. 

Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner 

for Sciences and Research, discusses Physics 

of High Energy with Prof. G. Margaritondo, 

Vice-president for Academic Affairs, and 

Prof. Tran Minh Quang, Director of CRPP 

(November 2005). 

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3. Goals, Achievements and Prospects 

3.1 Priority countries: India, China, Russia 

India 7 

Particular emphasis is currently being put on India, China and Russia. 

India is on the brink of a major transformation. Reforms initiated in 1991 have 

paved the way for a rapid development and repositioning of the Indian economy. 

Today, India has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. India has 

been continuously increasing its investment in science and technology, and this 

seems to be garnering handsome dividends. The last decade has witnessed India 

becoming a global R&D center; companies from around the world are increasingly 

on the look-out for new business opportunities in India. 

EPFL has taken several initiatives to forge collaborative ties between the Indian 

Institutes of Technology (IIT) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). A major 

achievement in this respect was the initiation of an “EPFL-IIT/IISc Exchange 

Program” in which EPFL students enroll for one or two semesters at one of the 

renowned IITs or at the IISc and vice versa. Since its inception in the year 2000, 

around 80 EPFL students and 250 Indian students have been involved. 

Though the primary goal of this initiative was to benefit students by providing 

them with new learning experiences and networking opportunities in another 

country, the Schools hosting and supervising these young and motivated people 

often equally gained from this exchange. As a consequence, the number of Indian 

students enrolled in a doctoral program at EPFL has increased from one student 

in 2000 to 51 in 2006. 

7 Dr B. Baumann and Prof. P. K. Rastogi. 

The two postgraduate courses on “Technology and Sustainable Development” 

jointly organized by EPFL and IIT Madras in 2002 and 2005 were similarly successful 

in establishing contacts between Swiss and Indian scientists. 20 participants 

from different countries attended these 16-week courses held in Chennai. 

Lectures were given by faculty members from Swiss and Indian universities and 

by representatives of international organizations, NGOs and private companies. 

A third course is planned for 2008. 

Indian PhD student and Swiss researcher, both 

involved in the project ’Isolation, characterization 

and mutagenesis of long-range acting bacterial 

transcription regulators with receptor domains for 

aromatic compounds’ supported by the ISJRP. 

In 2004, the State Secretariat for Education & Research (SER) mandated EPFL with 

the coordination and implementation of the Indo Swiss Joint Research Programme 

(ISJRP). This program was jointly initiated by the Swiss and Indian Governments 

and aims at increasing the number and scope of collaborations between Swiss 

and Indian scientists through the promotion of joint research projects. Currently, 

ISJRP is supporting nine joint projects in Information Technology and three in the 

Life Sciences. 

In summer 2006, short-term financial backing from SER enabled EPFL to start 

the Indo Swiss Bilateral Research Initiative (ISBRI). ISBRI’s goal is to initiate new 

contacts between Swiss and Indian scientists by providing travel and research 

fellowship grants to young faculty members and Ph.D. students who wish to visit 

a prospective partner institute in the counterpart country. So far, more than forty 

scientists from various Swiss and Indian Universities have already benefited from 

these grants. 

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China 

VPRI 


In November 2006, EPFL was officially designated as the Swiss Leading House 

for India. In this important national capacity, the institution will be responsible for 

the implementation of SER’s Bilateral Scientific and Technology Cooperation 

Program with India for the period 2008 to 2011. EPFL will play a key role in 

strengthening academic relationships between Switzerland and India in all areas 

of science, technology, engineering and the humanities. 

China’s science and technology are developing quickly; its economy is also taking 

on a world-leading role. China is about to invest more money into R&D than the 

European Community. Economic relations between China and Switzerland are 

steadily developing. Many multinational firms, among them a number of Swiss 

companies, are established in China, making this country an important location for 

our graduates. Asia is swiftly becoming a major academic pole; many scientists 

and faculty members at EPFL have developed academic relationships with 

Chinese researchers and institutes. 

The VPRI set up a team 8 to develop initiatives with renowned universities in China, 

to support collaboration and exchange between EPFL professors and Chinese 

The visit by The Tsinghua Senior 

Management Team (here Gu 

Binglin, President of Tsinghua 

with EPFL President Patrick 

Aebischer) in the beginning 

of 2007 was carefully prepared 

by VPRI in 2005 and 2006. 

8 Zhen Xiao, BS Eng, currently Research Assistant at EPFL, Nicolas Musy, 

Dipl. Physics Engineer EPFL, based in China since 1988, Marius Burgat. 

scientists and to enhance exchange opportunities for EPFL Master’s students 

(EPFL regularly welcomes 70 to 100 Chinese students): 

Chinese academic delegations visiting EPFL: 20 Chinese delegations visited 

EPFL – this gave us an opportunity to get in touch with the Chinese academic 

world. EPFL was not well known in China, and visitors were very interested by 

EPFL’s performance and achievements, organization, processes and management 

structure. 

Targeted on-campus visit in China: To get in touch with a few key universities, 

a visit was made by the VPRI’s Chinese team in July ’06 to ascertain EPFL’s 

status and image in China and to prepare for the visit by the Senior 

Management Team in the Fall. Universities that were visited included Beijing 

(PKU), Tsinghua, Tianjing Univ., Nankai Univ., Fudan, Shanghai Jiaotong, 

Zehjiang Univ. 

Follow this, the Vice-President for International Affairs, Prof. Martin Vetterli, 

visited China in December 2006 with an EPFL delegation and signed cooperation 

agreements (MoUs 9 ) with three prestigious Universities: 

Beijing University (PKU); 

Tsinghua University; 

Shanghai Jiaotong University. 

These new collaborations are in addition to the student exchange agreements 

signed with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), 

Chinese University of Hong Kong and also with Singapore (NUS – National 

University of Singapore and NTU – Nanyang Technological University), where the 

Chinese community is particularly active. 

For many years now, Chinese scientists – up to 100 at a time – have been on 

the EPFL campus. The team intends to keep in touch with these EPFL Chinese 

alumni. EPFL will consolidate relations with partners established in 2006 and 

explore possibilities with newly selected universities. 

9 Memorandum of Understanding. 

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Russia 

VPRI 


Over the past few years EPFL has worked successfully to expand S&T relationships 

with leading universities in Russia, such as the Tomsk Polytechnic University, the 

Bauman Moscow State Technical University and the M.V. Lomnosov Moscow 

State University. Specific exchange agreements promoting academic mobility 

between EPFL and these universities contributed considerably to this development. 

Today, about thirty scientists at EPFL are involved or have recently been 

involved in collaborative projects with Russian researchers, mostly in the field of 

technology, physics and mathematical sciences. In many cases strong lab-to-lab 

relationships, from which both parties are gaining equal, significant scientific 

benefit, have been developed. 

Recently, EPFL has been appointed as the «Associated Leading House for Russia» 

by the State Secretariat for Research and Education (SER). In this capacity it will 

assist the University of Geneva, the «Leading House for Russia» in the implementation 

of SER’s bilateral S&T cooperation strategy with Russia (2008-2011). 

3.2 Welcoming Visitors 10 

Welcoming foreign academic, political or economic delegations enhances EPFL’s 

international image abroad, in the media and with the Swiss Government. Many 

of these delegations are directed or referred to EPFL by the Cantonal or Federal 

authorities or by international organizations. The program of visits is coordinated 

with the President’s public relations group, comprising members of the VPRI 

team. In 2007, EPFL will further develop strategic contacts. 

Outstanding guests 2005-2006: EPFL was honored to welcome visits and official 

delegations from key countries and institutions: 

Abdul Kalam, President of India; Kapil Sibal, Minister for Science and Technology 

(India); 

10 M. Burgat, Dr A. Fromentin, S. Dentan, B. Weber. 

M. Han Qide, Vice-president of the Chinese National Assembly and Vice-President 

of Beijing University; Professor Jiang Shusheng, President of Nanjing University 

of Information Sciences and Technology, China; 

Prof. Shih Choon Fong, President of the the National University of Singapore; 

Dr Su Guaning, President of Nanyang Technological University (Singapore; 

NTUS); Dr Toni Tan, President of National Research Foundation, Singapore; 

Prof. Dr. J. Potocnik, ˘ European Commissioner for Science and Research; Mr. Jan 

Figuel, European Commissioner for education; José Mariano Gago, Portuguese 

Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education; 

Mr. Rachid Haraoubia, Algerian Minister of Higher Education and Research; 

Mr. Mosibudi Mangena, Minister of Science and Technology in South Africa; 

H.E. Dr Konji Sebati, Ambassador of South Africa in Switzerland. 

Database: A database regrouping all the visits organized at EPFL since 2001 is in 

place; the record of all visitors can be consulted (contact: barbara.weber@epfl.ch). 

Mr. Mosibudi Mangena, Minister of Science and 

Technology in South Africa, watching High Tech 

equipments of EPFL (June 2005). 

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3.3 Interaction with the Swiss Government 11 

SER 

CRUS 

IRUS 

VPRI has excellent relations with SER (State Secretariat for Education and 

Research) through an active participation in defining an integrated international 

relations strategy for Switzerland and by jointly organizing the welcoming of foreign 

delegations. There are also numerous and fruitful contacts with the scientific 

attachés and Swiss Houses reporting to SER. Indeed, these ambassadors help 

EPFL in gathering crucial academic information and organizing visits or events 

abroad (e.g. by representing our institution at recruitment fairs abroad). 

VPRI represents EPFL within the DIZ (Delegation Internationale Zusammenarbeit) 

of the CRUS (Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities). VPRI’s main role 

within this group is to coordinate international relations between CRUS and EPFL. 

VPRI also participates to NAFSA 12 annual conference in the U.S. and EAIE 13 national 

conference in Europe. VPRI also acts as the EPFL contact with the Swiss office 

in charge of the ERASMUS program (ICES 14 ), reporting to CRUS, for all matters 

relating to student mobility. 

IRUS (International Relations Universities of Switzerland) is an informal network 

bringing together representatives of international relations departments of all 

Swiss universities and federal institutes of technology. The network is very active 

in the fields of lobbying, information exchange and the joint organization of events 

abroad (e.g., visit to China by an IRUS delegation at the Chinese government’s 

invitation). 

11 Dr A. Fromentin and M. Burgat. 

12 NAFSA; Association of International Educators. 

13 EAIE; European Association of International Educators. 

14 ICES; Information et Coordination ERASMUS Suisse. 

3.4 Survey of International Contacts at EPFL 15 

Jan Figuel, European 

Commissioner for education, 

training and culture, discovers 

EPFL in presence of Ch. Kleiber, 

State Secretary for education 

and research (September 2006). 

As EPFL increases its international efforts and impact, it is essential to be aware of 

the individual activities and projects of EPFL professors. In setting priorities at the 

national level (SER, ETH-Board) it has also become crucial to assess the initiatives 

of the EPFL labs so as to position EPFL accordingly. A survey (”International 

Contacts at EPFL”, Fromentin 2006) was conducted among faculty members at 

EPFL in order to evaluate their international relationships. Three main questions 

were asked: 

With which institutions or universities has your laboratory been working for the 

last five years (current contacts)? 

What are your priorities for future research collaboration and student recruitment? 

In which countries do you have a good understanding of the academic or 

research system? 

15 Dr A. Fromentin et B. Weber. 

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70% 

60% 

50% 

40% 

30% 

20% 

10% 

0% 


With close to 90 % response rate, the survey was representative. 

Current Contacts and Priorities for Research and Recruitment 

Western 

Europe 

Eastern 

Europe and 

Russia 

North 

America 

Latin 

America 

Australia Middle 

East 

Contact 

Research 

Recruitment 

India China Other 

countries of 

Southeast Asia 

Africa 

Current contacts by region, in % of the total number of contacts, as well as priorities for future 

research collaboration and for MS/PhD student recruitment. 

The results show a preponderance of contacts with Europe and then with North 

America, but also a strong emergence of Asia for recruitment interests. Our most 

important research partner remains the USA. The results are in agreement with 

the VPRI strategy. 

3.5 Participation in University Networks and Associations 16 

University associations are a valuable source of academic information and long 

term partnerships. EPFL is part of 10 different academic networks. VPRI was particularly 

active in: 

16 Dr A. Fromentin et Dr M. Jaccard. 

1) CLUSTER (Consortium Linking Universities of Science and Technology for 

Education and Research). EPFL participates in working groups reviewing the 

European dimension in science education, university management (benchmarking), 

joint master’s, Quality Assurance, marketing, contacts with Latin 

American institutions and Australian networks (Go8 17 , ATN 18 ). 

2) CESAER (Conference of European Schools for Advanced Engineering 

Education and Research) is an association of nearly 60 leading European 

Engineering Universities, Colleges and Schools. In 2006, the main concerns 

were Quality Assurance, outcomes of PhD programs, the European Institute of 

Technology and the mutual recognition of BS diplomas. 

3) TIME (Top Industrial Managers for Europe) is the leading network for the training 

of bi-cultural, bilingual engineers and includes leading Technical 

Universities and Engineering High Schools. To improve MS student recruitment, 

EPFL will foster vertical mobility with TIME members. 

4) EUA (European University Association) represents higher education institutions, 

providing them with a unique forum to keep abreast of the latest trends 

in higher education and research policies. The Association’s mandate in the 

Bologna process, contribution to EU research policy-making and relations with 

intergovernmental organizations ensure its capacity to debate crucial issues. 

Fundraising, master’s and doctoral programs were key points in 2006. 

5) The Magna Charta Observatory aims to protect university values and rights in 

the EHEA. Serious concerns are expressed about the rising threats of academic 

fraud/corruption and the lack of autonomy in Eastern European universities. 

EPFL is also a member of GUNI (Global University Network for Innovation, a partner 

of UNESCO). The conference “Higher Education in the World 2007” featured major 

trends: accreditation, Quality Assurance and educational outreach. The activities 

of other global associations, for instance, ASEAN University Network (AUN), are 

monitored with the help of CESAER and TIME. 

17 Go8 = Group of 8, network of the 10 best engineering universities in Australia. 

18 ATN = Australian Technology Network. 

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3.6 Exchange Programs and Bilateral Agreements 19 

VPRI manages more than 150 active agreements, mainly concerning student 

exchange programs 20 . These agreements comply with EPFL’s international relations 

policy, namely to recruit top students and researchers, to allow our students 

to be exposed to the “globalized” world in the best institutions, and to increase 

EPFL’s visibility. The main criterion is the excellence of the partner institution, 

without any geographical restriction. 

Two types of MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) are widely used: 

bilateral agreements under the SOCRATES-ERASMUS program umbrella; 

general agreements, mainly with partners outside Europe. 

During the academic year 2005-2006, EPFL signed new bilateral agreements with: 

Prague Czech Technical University (E 21 ); 

Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (E); 

Universitat de Girona (E); 

Mondragon Unibertsitatea (E); 

Università degli studi di Brescia (E); 

Université de Paris 13 (Paris-Nord) (E); 

Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris (E); 

Istanbul Technical University (E); 

and general agreements with: 

University of California at Berkeley; 

Nanyang Technological University Singapore; 

Chinese University of Hong Kong; 

19 Dr A. Fromentin. 

20 Research agreements are usually administered at laboratory or institute levels. 

21 E = SOCRATES-ERASMUS bilateral agreement. 

No. of Students 

70 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

Tomsk Polytechnic University; 

Peking University (PKU); 

Tsinghua University, Beijing; 

Shanghai Jiaotong University; 

In order to support the SOCRATES-ERASMUS student exchange program, an 

agreement was signed with the Swiss State Secretariat for Education and 

Research (SER); for the academic year 2006-2007, an amount of 125 kCHF 

(without the ERASMUS scholarships) has been transferred to VPRI. 

Student Exchanges 2005-2006 

21 

62 

56 

16 17 17 

69 

14 

9 

3 

18 

1 

13 

Germany 

Spain 

France 

UK 

Italy 

Belgium 

Ireland 

8 

3 3 2 5 

1 

Netherlands 

6 7 6 

Denmark 

Portugal 

USA 

15 

27 

24 

Country 

39 

Canada 

Sweden 

Austria 

4 6 

1 4 

EPFL Students OUT (tot 190) 

Guest Students IN (tot 344) 

5 

1 2 

Finland 

Norway 

Romania 

Poland 

Czech. Rep. 

Hungary 

Mexico 

Russia 

Japan 

Hong Kong 

India 

Tailored curricula 

International students come mainly from France, Germany, Spain, Sweden and Canada. EPFL students 

tend to select these countries. 

4 

2 2 5 

1 1 1 1 

11 

38 

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Operational activities for incoming and outgoing exchange students are under the 

responsibility of the DAF 22 (Eliane Reuille) and of the Schools. However, VPRI provides 

additional support – for example, organization of welcome and farewell information 

meetings for incoming exchange students (between 150-180 participants). 

September 2005: Pause before 

the signature of a MoU with the 

Nanyang Technology University 

of Singapore (President of NTU, 

Dr. Su Guaning; extreme right). 

3.7 International Marketing and Recruitment – Promotion of 

the Master’s Programs 23 

The EPFL Master’s Promotion Team (MPT) was formed in November 2005. 

During this first year, MPT structured efforts around three activities: 

Establishment of a marketing strategy that is accepted by all stakeholders; 

Review of internal processes to align them with the marketing plan; 

Development of promotional tools and initiation of promotional activities. 

22 Direction de la formation – Direction of Education. 

23 Dr D. Noukakis and B. Belogi. 

SAC 

Dean 

BS/MS 

Intern'l 

Students 

Services 

(SOC) 

Masters 

Promotion 

Team 

Intern'l 

Relations 

(MPT) 

The activities of the MPT (Master Promotion Team) involve many key players at EPFL. 

Since these activities often take place at the interface between VPRI and VP-AA, 

MPT works closely with the Dean of Bachelor’s/Master’s programs, the DAF 24 , 

the SAC 25 , and the SOC 26 , as well as with the Media and Communications Office. 

In addition, a great deal of time is spent working together with the Program 

Directors and Deputy Directors, as well as with students and representatives of 

student associations. 

Development of a Marketing Strategy 

Corporate 

Comm. 

BS/MS 

Directors 

EPFL is seeking to recruit outstanding students for its master’s programs. 

Therefore, the “target student” is an excellent student from a top institution. 

24 Direction des Affaires Académiques EPFL. 

25 Service académique EPFL. 

26 Service d’Orientation et de Conseil EPFL. 

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26 

Total Number of Applicants 

VPRI 

120 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

0 


International students 2005/6 

Applications / Admissions / Enrolment breakdown 

% of enrolled internationals over total students 

2.5% 

8.0% 14.0% 3.9% 

4.8% 2.1% 

25.8% 

16.5% 

35.1% 

Enrolled 

Admitted but declined 

Not-admitted 

18.4% 8.3% 

2.7% 

6.7% 

AR GC SIE CGC PH MA SC IN EL GM MX MT MTE 

Three master curricula have a leading edge in the admission of international students: Electrical 

and Electronics Engineering, Computer Sciences and Communication Systems. 

Rather than undertaking a widespread, undifferentiated promotion of EPFL 

Master’s programs throughout the world, MPT prefers to adapt the offer to the 

expectations of students according to their educational, cultural and geographical 

background. For example, MPT is promoting the strengths of EPFL Engineering 

Programs to students from Western and Southern Europe who have attained a 

good general scientific education level and are looking for a valid professional 

degree with some specialization (a “Post-graduate” degree). In another initiative, 

MPT is highlighting the excellence and interdisciplinary approach of scientific 

research at EPFL in order to attract ambitious, research-oriented students from all 

over the world. In this latter case, emphasis is given to countries such as the entire 

EU, India, China and Vietnam. 

In June 2006, a task force for the Promotion of Master’s Programs was established 

and coordinated by MPT 27 . Its aim was to define a coherent marketing plan for each 

27 It consisted of: Dominique Bonvin (BS/MS Dean), Jacques Giovanola (Dean PhD 

School), Maher Kayal (representing STI), Dimitris Noukakis (PMT), Luca Ortelli 

(representing ENAC), Thomas Rizzo (SB Dean), Melody Swartz & William Pralong 

(representing SV), Martin Vetterli (VPRI), Willy Zwaenepoel (IC Dean). 

EPFL School, to work out detailed promotion plans with the Programs and agree 

upon their specific growth objectives, and to review internal processes that are 

important for the recruitment of students. Having reached its initial objectives, the 

work of the task force ended in December 2006. 

In terms of recruitment objectives, this extensive consultation also allowed MPT to 

strengthen its relationship with the Programs and to work out promotional plans 

with those wishing to undertake proactive recruitment campaigns. It also highlighted 

the need to lower the 5-year growth target to +35% of total MS students 

across EPFL. This is in line with the capacity and ambitions of the Master’s 

Programs and with the desire to aim for a low (~20%) admission ratio. 

Implementation of the Marketing Plan 

Promotional material 

A presentation brochure designed specifically for the Master’s programs was 

produced in collaboration with all Programs. It consists of 44 full-color pages 

including a brief presentation of EPFL. Each Master is presented on two A4 pages 

with a concise description of the program curriculum, the educational objectives 

of the program, 2 to 3 student testimonials, and a spotlight related to a research 

institute or a research project. 

An A4 color leaflet for each Master’s program, listing all the courses, teaching 

faculty, credits involved and the teaching language. 

A 2.5m x 2.15m booth with a full color visual (presenting the Master’s programs) 

and various giveaways to be used at student fairs. 

A multi-media presentation of the EPFL, dubbed “Virtual tour”, to be used on the 

Web site and during student fairs and site visits. The virtual tour was produced in 

collaboration with the VPAA-Promotion of Bachelor’s studies and the Knowledge 

and Information Systems unit at EPFL (KIS). 

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Promotional Activities 

MPT organized an EPFL presentation at two student fairs in November and 

December 2006: the Forum X-Entreprises of the École Polytechnique de 

Paris; and the Forum SUPELEC of the École Supérieure d’Electricité de Paris. 

Both fairs were very successful in terms of direct contacts at the stand (over 

80 and 40 prospects, respectively) and of long-term visibility with the students 

of these two prestigious institutions. 

VPRI took part in the 58th NAFSA (Association of International Educators) conference 

in Montreal and in the 18th EAIE (European Association for International 

Education) conference in Basel. MPT also visited the following partners in 

Canada (McGill, Waterloo, University of Montreal and Ecole Polytechnique de 

Montreal), in Sweden (Chalmers, Lund) and in France (Ecole Centrale Paris, 

Supelec, ENS Lyon). 

In June 2006, a site visit at the National Technical University of Athens (departments 

of Electrical Engineering and Chemical Engineering) set the groundwork 

for an effective recruitment campaign. 

Organization of the Swiss Abroad: the Organization of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) 

represents Swiss expatriates’ interests in Switzerland. MPT made formal contact 

with OSA trying to explore promotional channels to target Swiss citizens living 

abroad. OSA has a vast network (over 640,000 members), and the profile of its 

members is attractive for the EPFL. Indeed, the number of prospects for Swiss 

universities is estimated at approx. 10,000, with the majority being residents in 

France, Germany, the United States, Canada and Italy. MPT attended the 2006 

meeting and, in collaboration with the promotion of Bachelor’s studies unit, plans 

to make use of the “Swiss Review” and of the OSA Website and electronic 

Newsletter to widely promote studying at EPFL. 

Surveys of International Master’s Students 

In December 2005 a survey was launched among all international EPFL Master’s 

students (1st and 2nd year). Several aspects of their student life were assessed. 

The survey was coupled with a get-together reception where EPFL staff had a 

chance to exchange views with international students. The same project was repeated 

in December 2006, with the 2006/07 first year international Master’s students. 

Both surveys helped to identify weaknesses in the “recruitment” process. For 

example, it became obvious that an online application procedure was well overdue 

(it was subsequently implemented in May 2006); that international students needed 

specific information about their study programs (a new welcome and orientation 

procedure was put in place in October 2006); and that the timing of the administrative 

processes needed to be improved so that the issue of visas, residence 

permits and housing could be better handled (action in progress). 

3.8 Master’s Fellowships, Foundations and Fundraising 28 

In consultation with the DAF and the student associations, a new policy for the 

Master’s scholarships was established with the full support of the MPT. Since the 

winter 2006 application session, scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic 

merit to Swiss and non-Swiss alike, but the amount of the stipend 

depends on the financial need of the applicant. Each scholar will receive a certificate 

of merit and an amount between CHF 5,000 and 32,000 for the duration 

of their Master’s studies. The Z.K. Schindler foundation also supports a Master 

student at EPFL. 

VPRI will raise funds for the Master’s scholarships. Active prospecting to foundations 

and institutions will start in early 2007. One Industry/EPFL project in which 

ELCA Informatique SA and EPFL jointly finance 2 Master’s scholarships per year 

over the next 3 years for students from Vietnam (HCMC Technical University), has 

already been finalized by MPT. 

Fundraising activity will be performed in close collaboration with the DAF and 

EPFL’s main fundraising office. Master’s fellowships are already included in the 

28 Dr D. Noukakis and Dr M. Jaccard. 

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portfolio of projects of the “Fondation EPFL+”, developed in close partnership 

with the Advisory Board of the President. A preliminary survey of Swiss foundations 

able to provide fellowships has also been completed. The resulting database, 

which elicited much interest at EPFL, has already yielded a positive result: 

the Swiss Baltic Net (SBN) – a network for postgraduate funding and academic 

relations between Switzerland and the three Baltic States. It was initiated and 

funded by the Gebert-Rüf Stiftung (GRS). As EPFL has very few academic contacts 

with institutions from these Baltic States, VPRI approached the GRS and 

concluded an initial three-year agreement. 

Under this agreement, young researchers and students from Estonia, Latvia and 

Lithuania will be offered scholarships (funded by the GRS) to complete a 2-5 

month scientific project at EPFL. EPFL students will undertake a research project 

in one of these three countries. 2 to 4 students per year from the Baltic countries 

will benefit from these scholarships to come to EPFL and that this will help our 

office to develop ties with their institutions. 

3.9 Recognition of EPFL Diplomas for Higher Education and 

Employability 29 

Recognition of academic titles facilitates the free movement of students and 

graduates in Europe. On the occasion of the “Prague Ministerial Conference” on 

Higher Education (May 2001), the Ministers strongly encouraged universities and 

other higher education institutions to take full advantage of existing national legislation 

and European tools aimed at facilitating academic and professional 

recognition of course units, degrees and other awards, so that students and 

graduates can effectively use their qualifications, competencies and skills 

throughout the EHEA (European Higher Education Area). The instruments of academic 

mobility are: 

29 Dr M. Jaccard and Dr A. Fromentin. 

1) The Lisbon Convention: the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications 

concerning Higher Education in the European Region was developed by the 

Council of Europe and UNESCO and adopted in 1997. The Lisbon Convention 

has since been ratified by most European countries. 

2) Bilateral agreements with Germany, France, Austria and Italy signed by the 

swiss government. 

3) Mutual recognition of academic titles of members of university associations 

(for instance CLUSTER). 

4) Bilateral recognition (MoU) of academic titles for specific education programmes. 

VPRI looks for crucial international information and takes initiatives for the development 

of instruments 3) and 4). Main activities are initiated in collaboration with 

VPAA. 

Employability is the capability to gain initial employment, maintain employment 

and obtain new employment. The international employability of EPFL graduates 

is distinct from academic recognition of EPFL bachelors and masters. As regards 

recognition for professional purposes, it is important to distinguish between professions 

that are regulated from the standpoint of qualifications and non-regulated 

professions. A profession is said to be regulated when it is a statutory 

requirement to hold a given diploma or other occupational qualification in order 

to pursue the occupation in question. In that case, lacking the required national 

diploma may constitute a legal obstacle to access to the profession. 

To pursue a regulated profession (whether employed or self-employed) in an EU 

Member State, EPFL graduates may invoke a specific law with which the national 

authorities must comply. Right of establishment, freedom to provide services and the 

free movement of workers are fundamental principles of the EU Treaty 30 . Regulation 

is especially significant for the so called “brick and mortar” graduates of EPFL: 

landscape planning, civil engineering, architecture. It seems of little consequence 

30 In order to enable these freedoms to be exercised, several legal instruments 

concerning the recognition of diplomas, applicable solely to regulated professions, 

were adopted at European level (Directive 89/48/EEC) and signed by the 

Swiss government. 

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32 

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for Electronics Engineering, Computer Sciences and Communication Systems, 

Biomedical Engineering and the Life Sciences. 

International accreditation of the academic curricula enhances the employability 

of EPFL graduates. EPFL’s strong branding policy also plays a major positive role. 

EPFL’s numerous projects with the private international sector are another asset. 

Outside the EU and overseas, the employability of EPFL graduates varies from one 

nation to another. For example, the USA have developed a significant protection of 

their national labour market. 

VPRI collects relevant information concerning international employability and 

develops its data gathering system in close collaboration with the EPFL alumni 

association. 

3.10 Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Master’s Programs 31 

The developing international education market needs greater transparency, both 

in the administrative structure of academic institutions and the content of their 

educational programs. This is why the Bologna process includes the implementation 

of Quality Assurance. Moreover, this is a worldwide trend and, in Anglo- 

Saxon countries, accreditation often follows an audit procedure. The American 

agency ABET 32 is widely acknowledged in these countries, but the ABET standard, 

often regarded as burdensome and over-directive, is used neither in the 

EHEA nor in the UK. 

Anticipating the implementation of the CUS 33 Quality Assurance Directives of 

December 2006 based on the standards of ENQA, the European umbrella organization 

for quality assurance, EPFL decided to have its 17 Master’s programs 

accredited by two agencies – OAQ 34 and CTI 35 . A project group (VPRI and VPAA) 

prepared the visit by the audit committee. Over 15 experts from the EU audited 

EPFL and met over 380 persons on campus at the end of November 2006. The 

31 Dr M. Jaccard. 

32 Accrediting Board for engineering and technology. 

33 Swiss University Conference. 

34 Organ für Akkredittierung und Qualitätssicherung; Switzerland. 

35 Commission des Titres d’Ingénieur; France; delivering academic 

and professional recognition). 

extremely positive preliminary audit report was sent to EPFL on 15 January 

2007. Confirmation of accreditation from both agencies is expected in June 

2007, and implementation of the experts’ recommendations will start in the first 

half of 2007. 

This dual recognition makes the EPFL a pioneer in transparency and education 

quality both in Switzerland and at European level. It also enhances the institution’s 

visibility. 

A working group has now been established with the Dean of the Doctoral School 

to define the standard of excellence of PhDs at EPFL. Ultimately, a Quality 

Assurance implementation will follow the recommendations of the forthcoming 

Conference of European Ministers of Education, to be held in London in spring 

2007 (objective: 2009). 

3.11 International Alumni Relations: PhD Alumni Network 36 

36 C. Magnani. 

PhD alumni are a premium source of academic information for internship opportunities 

for our students, and also potentially an important future personnel 

resource for EPFL. To keep them connected with the institution, VPRI is establishing 

a program for EPFL PhD graduates – about 3,700 alumni worldwide. An up-to-date, 

dynamic database, a Web site, a newsletter and relevant programs and activities for 

our alumni’s personal and professional development are presently being developed, 

in close collaboration with the EPFL alumni association. 

According to a preliminary study with EPFL PhD students, the desire for mentoring 

and coaching, especially in careers, as well as opportunities to network, were 

consistently mentioned. A small sample of alumni will be contacted to validate this 

information and to gather initial feedback about and ideas for the alumni initiative. 

A more comprehensive alumni survey will be performed once the database is 

complete and operational. 

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34 

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3.12 Offshore Activities and Campus 37 

VPRI and the EPFL unit for inter-institutional collaborations have designed a project 

for an offshore Research Center financed by and partly located in an Arabic country. 

It emphasizes the application of molecular sciences to medical and biomedical 

technologies and pharmacology. It involves two physical campuses, one in the 

foreign country and one in Switzerland at the Swiss ETH Schools. The proposal 

covers a 10-year period – the implementation phase of the Center. The foreign 

partner would provide the necessary financial investments and core funding for 

the Center; the Swiss partner would assume academic responsibilities. The Center 

aims to attract PhD students and train them in Switzerland and in the partner 

country. A graduate curriculum would be offered at the Swiss ETH and, progressively, 

in the partner country. Research work would be carried out at both sites, 

initially just in Switzerland, until laboratory space has been constructed in the 

Partner country. 

VPRI will further study current activities and models for offshore activities, because 

globalization makes it important for a key technology institution to be dynamically 

active in different parts of the world. Priority must be set on incremental approaches, 

favoring extensions of offshore education activities, especially along specific key 

subjects and towards specific prospects. 

37 M. Burgat/Dr F. Vigliotti. 

B 

Cooperation@epfl 

VPRI 

35


B Cooperation@epfl 

36 

1. Introduction 

The aims that the EPFL seeks to achieve through its Cooperation@epfl unit are 

to contribute to tackling development issues through the promotion and strengthening 

of scientific cooperation, in conjunction with academic and research institutions 

in emerging and developing countries. Using an interdisciplinary 

approach that combines the knowledge produced by the different disciplines at 

the EPFL and the social, economic and institutional capacities of the countries of 

the South, Cooperation@epfl seeks to promote the application of state-of-the-art 

technologies to real social, environmental and economic needs in order to 

respond to the most pressing world challenges and to contribute to the efforts 

being made to reduce poverty. Accordingly, it seeks to enlarge EPFL’s research 

and educational activities in scientific cooperation for development at both a 

national and international level, and it also seeks to increase the amount and the 

diversity of external funding. 

Cooperation@epfl has been supported by the International Scientific Advisory 

Board (ISAB-COOP) since 2006 and the ISAB-COOP has guided it towards its 

objectives in the field of scientific cooperation for development. 

2. Scientific Cooperation for Development at EPFL 

VPRI 

Cooperation represents a significant part of Swiss government policy and of relevant 

national legislation, and over the past few years it has become a major scientific 

priority for the State Secretariat for Education and Research. The tradition 

of cooperation for development at the EPFL goes back more than 30 years. In 

fact, it embodies this institution’s open approach to the world; an approach where 

humanist values and a scientific spirit combine to produce outstanding research 

that is guided by a sense of responsibility towards the major problems faced by 

people living in emerging and developing countries. 

Scientific cooperation for development means that the major issues of the contemporary 

world are dealt with scientifically through research and teaching, both 

within the EPFL itself and together with its partners in emerging and developing 

countries. Through its efforts to meet the challenge of contributing to a reduction 

in poverty, by means of improvements to the living conditions of the majority of 

the world population and by bringing the different stakeholders together with 

regard to the importance of sustainable development, the EPFL seeks to make 

maximum use of its outstanding know-how and its international prestige. 

The EPFL has cooperated with the Swiss Agency for Development and 

Cooperation (SDC) on a regular basis ever since the first joint project between the 

EPFL and a university in a developing country in 1967. Following the creation of 

a Cooperation unit in 1990, EPFL activities continued to expand over the years, 

and SDC funding followed suit. Long-lasting and stable partnerships with institutions 

and research teams in the South developed on a gradual basis. In 1998, 

the EPFL negotiated a credit framework with the SDC to co-finance a series of 

innovative interdisciplinary projects, which were launched after an internal call at 

the EPFL. These projects, which ended in 2001, were evaluated in a very positive 

light and they were followed by a further Call for Development Research 

Projects in 2003, which resulted in 5 projects being approved (2004-2008). All 

in all, more than 30 projects involving scientific cooperation for development are 

currently being conducted through the EPFL together with various laboratories 

and schools in a large number of countries. Some of these, such as the ones in 

Cuba, Colombia, Tunisia, Morocco, Burkina Faso, India and Vietnam, can look 

back on a long history of scientific partnership with the EPFL 38 . 

3. The Creation of Cooperation@epfl 

In 2004, the EPFL Presidency attached the Cooperation Unit to the new Vice- 

Presidency for International Affairs and renamed it Cooperation@epfl. 

Cooperation@epfl developed from a mainly administrative structure to become 

38 http://cooperation.epfl.ch/research.html 

VPRI 

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38 

an active unit aimed at organising and promoting scientific cooperation for development 

at the EPFL. 2005 saw the start of a new phase with the establishment 

of innovative training and research targets for the following three years (2006- 

2008). Cooperation@epfl is led by a scientific director, Prof. Jean-Claude Bolay, 

who has a long history and solid experience in the field of scientific cooperation 

for development. The director has been supported by two scientific collaborators 

and an administrative assistant and together they formed a small core team. This 

team grew in 2006 with the addition of a group of four scientists working on a 

temporary basis. All of these scientists have experience in international cooperation 

and they come from different backgrounds and disciplines 39 . 

The major goal that the EPFL would like to achieve through Cooperation@epfl is 

to produce internationally recognized research and education in close cooperation 

with its scientific partners in the South in order to reach the Millennium 

Development Goals for emerging and developing countries. 

To achieve this, Cooperation@epfl has two main challenges: 

to link scientific progress and research with the realities of the societies in the 

South, by becoming a strategic platform for scientific cooperation for development, 

offering opportunities for EPFL’s scientific laboratories, professors and researchers 

to apply and adapt their knowledge and technologies to the real needs of emerging 

and developing countries in a creative and innovative manner; 

to promote and develop its own research and teaching expertise by setting up 

an internal strategy in order to enable technologies for development through 

the creation of interdisciplinary projects. 

4. ISAB-COOP Team of Experts 

VPRI 

The International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB-COOP) was set up to strengthen 

Cooperation@epfl’s performance and to help it face its new challenges. Its 

39 For a list of the team members of Cooperation@epfl see: 

http://cooperation.epfl.ch/page57582.html 

main role is to offer advice and guidance with regard to defining a strategic orientation 

for Cooperation@epfl that will help it achieve its objectives in the area 

of scientific cooperation for development. ISAB-COOP is an independent and 

multidisciplinary team of 13 experts and includes several prominent individuals 40 . 

All of these are experts in scientific cooperation for development with experience 

in one or several of EPFL’s key interest areas and strategies in this field. 

The role of ISAB-COOP is to independently advise EPFL on how to develop its 

research with the objective of resolving some of the most critical problems affecting 

the world’s most endangered populations. With this aim in mind, ISAB-COOP 

will review and guide Cooperation@epfl on scientific cooperation activities with 

emerging and developing countries and it will provide support for the implementation 

of a successful long-term Cooperation@epfl strategy. The critical viewpoints 

offered by the ISAB-COOP experts backing Cooperation@epfl will provide 

significant help to the EPFL in its pursuit of the right decisions for its scientific 

cooperation for development policy and it will also help it fine-tune the execution 

of this policy. 

The first meeting of ISAB-COOP took place in November 2006 and allowed 

Cooperation@epfl to provide a clearer definition of the objectives and tasks that 

are to be developed through mid and long-term strategies. 

First Meeting ISAB-COOP at EPFL in November 2006: 

Dr. Ana Maria Cetto, Deputy Director General 

of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 

and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation 

at the IAEA, Vienna, Austria; behind her) Prof. Marcel 

Tanner, Director of the Swiss Tropical institute, 

and Prof. and Chair of Epidemiology and Medical 

Parasitology at the University of Basel. 

40 Marcel Tanner (ISAB-COOP President), Nassrine Azimi, Ana Maria Cetto, 

Rose Dieng-Kuntz, Claudio Fischer, Jacques Forster, Walter Fust, Eric Goles, 

Georges Haddad, Hans R. Herren, Vijay Modi, Roland Schertenleib and Klaus Töpfer. 

For further information on ISAB-COOP members see: http://cooperation.epfl.ch/isab.html 

VPRI 

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40 

5. Enabling Technologies for Development and Beyond 

VPRI 

Cooperation@epfl carried out a number of scientific, research and teaching 

activities during 2006. These were mainly concerned with the enablement of 

technologies for development in emerging and developing countries, taking a 

sustainable development approach. 

These activities include: the organisation of meetings, seminars and courses 

such as the MAS in Development, Technology and Society in Burkina Faso, which 

aims at offering participants a critical, theoretical and applied reflection of the 

concept of development and its interactions with science and technology; the 

evaluation of training courses organized in Belgium by the CUD (University 

Commission for Development) with the financial support of DGCD (Belgium 

Agency for Cooperation and Development); internal and external networkingrelated 

activities; as well as an evaluation and monitoring of programs, e.g. 

TWIZE (Nouakchott Mauritania, for Groupe de Recherche et d’Echanges 

Technologiques GRET, Paris) or PRUD (Programme de Recherche Urbaine pour le 

Développement, for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs). 

Cooperation@epfl has also evaluated some projects. One of those worth mentioning 

is the current evaluation of the project called “Electrification of isolated 

areas by interconnecting different renewable sources of energy” being carried 

out in the Ouneine Valley of the Upper Atlas in Morocco. 

Cooperation@epfl has also participated in the submission of project proposals to 

institutions providing external funding. With regard to this last point, it is worth 

mentioning that the research project: “A Swiss Network of Scientific Diasporas to 

Enforce the Role of Highly Skilled Migrants as Partners in Development” has been 

accepted for financing within the framework of the Geneva International 

Academic Network (GIAN) Call 2006. It will allow the establishment of a Swiss 

Network of Scientific Diasporas 41 . 

41 More information available at: http://www.ruig-gian.org 

The most relevant programmes and projects are: 

5.1 UNESCO Chair in Technologies for Development 42 

An important goal achieved this year is the implementation of the UNESCO Chair in 

Technologies for Development at the EPFL, which is the result of the sole initiative 

and efforts of Cooperation@epfl. UNESCO has only recently accepted the setting 

up of the Chair and it will be run by Cooperation@epfl with the main objectives of: 

1) promoting capacity building through the exchange of knowledge and sharing in 

a spirit of solidarity; 2) reinforcing South research institutions through scientific 

exchanges in research projects and through further development of joint educational 

programs; 3) supporting an integrated and high quality system of research, 

training, information and documentation in the field of technology for development; 

4) encouraging research towards adapting technology and innovation to contexts 

in developing countries that affect the most vulnerable populations. The main 

partner institutions are: the Institut International d’Ingénierie de l’Eau et de 

l’Environnement (2iE/Groupe EIER-ETSHER) in Burkina Faso; the Universidad del 

Valle (UNIVALLE) in Colombia; and the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of 

Sciences and Technology in India. 

5.2 Indo-Swiss Collaboration in Biotechnology (ISCB) 43 

ISCB started out in the 1970s as an entity for bilateral research collaboration 

between the Institute of Biotechnology at the Swiss Federal Institute of 

Technology in Zurich (ETHZ) and the Biochemical Engineering Research Centre 

at the Indian Institute of Technology. The management of the programme is now 

attached to Cooperation@epfl. It is responsible for the efficient and effective 

implementation of the individual projects, the administration of the financial 

resources, and the support offered to project partners in the area of technology 

transfer. 

42 Prof. J.-C. Bolay, Dr Alexandre Repetti, S. Bolomey. 

43 Dr G. Schachermayr, B. Rüegg Wüthrich. 

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42 

VPRI 

Since 1999, the ISCB has focused on the development of environmentally-friendly 

technologies to increase pulse and wheat production and to allow the sustainable 

management of natural resources in marginal areas. Four topics were identified 

within this framework as priority research areas: the improvement of stress 

tolerance and pest control in pulses, the improvement of resistance against fungal 

diseases in wheat, the monitoring and the in-situ degradation of pesticide 

residues, and the improvement of soil quality. In addition to this, trans-sectoral 

topics are given due importance, and projects on bio safety, technology transfer 

as well as need and impact studies are included in the programme portfolio 44 . 

The framework for research collaboration is defined in a bilateral agreement 

between the governments of India and Switzerland. The funding agencies, the 

Indian Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Swiss Agency for 

Development and Cooperation (SDC), hold overall responsibility for the programme. 

The programme has enabled the development of equitable research partnerships 

providing significant scientific progress, based on individually determined project 

goals and milestones. Several of the ISCB projects had reached fairly advanced 

stages by 2004. The results formed a solid base for further development towards 

desirable products and processes, which is the main objective of the programme. 

The most promising projects in terms of scientific achievements and collaboration 

were selected on the basis of a review for continuation during a second programme 

phase, which started in September 2004 and which will continue until 

August 2007. Three research networks and four collaborative projects are being 

supported during this period and they involve 23 Indian and 13 Swiss research 

groups). The project funding for the current programme phase (2004-2007 

amounts to a total of SFr. 4.5 million, with SFr. 1.5 million per year coming from 

SDC and SFr. 2.3 million from DBT. 

Both funding agencies have stated their belief that the current programme, 

approved until August 2007, has been highly successful and rewarding. SDC and 

44 For details see: http://iscb.epfl.ch 

DBT have both declared their continued interest in the ISCB, its focus and its 

guiding principles. A new 4-year phase (2007-2011) is under being prepared 

and it will be developed within the framework of SDC’s redefined policy on cooperation 

in India. 

5.3 Inter-School Projects 45 

In the light of the new objectives, Cooperation@epfl announced the promotion of its 

Inter-School Projects or priority programmes for transdisciplinary and interfaculty 

cooperation. These are aimed at enhancing dialogue between external partners, 

scientists and financial backers in some crucial development areas. The following 

Inter-School Projects were established in the following key fields of scientific interest, 

which are all oriented towards sustainable development: Information and 

Communication Technologies for the Environment, Health, Crisis Engineering, 

Energy, and Technologies for Sustainable Urban Development. These priority programmes 

are to be the basis of the international scientific cooperation projects run 

by the EPFL through Cooperation@epfl in the forthcoming years. 

Within the context of this strategy, the structure of Cooperation@epfl was reinforced 

to deal with the fields of Adapting Technologies for Sustainable Urban 

Development (Urban Development), Enabling Communication Technologies for 

the Environment (ICT4E) and Health, for an initial six-month period, starting in 

2006. The main task was to investigate the compatibility between scientific 

expertise, development needs and external cooperation. Three scientists guided 

the first studies following an interdisciplinary, interfaculty and international 

approach, and the studies were focussed on generating the setup and launch of 

international EPFL projects in the near future. 

Some considerable results were achieved in these specific areas during the first 

6-month period and these are worth a mention. In the field of Urban 

Technologies for Development, the most significant example was the project 

45 S. Bolomey (Urban Technologies for Development), Dr A. Repetti (I&C Technologies 

for Environment, Dr M. Knuchel (Health), M. Schmid (Crisis Engineering). 

VPRI 

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proposal for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Future Urban 

Transport at the EPFL. The very positive evaluation of the Volvo foundation stimulated 

the group to continue and elaborate a new project with EPFL partners in 

Latin America. 

On the other hand, in the field of I&C Technologies for Environment, three project 

proposals have been submitted to several foundations, in partnership with EPFL 

laboratories and partners in the South: (1) a project on participatory information 

platforms for vulnerable communities to allow them to adapt to climate changes in 

Sahel regions, (2) a project on participatory information platforms for watershed 

monitoring and sustainable management in Africa, and (3) a project for a water 

management modelling and an information platform for industrialized and polluted 

watershed in China. 

With regard to the field of Health, the “Global health for developing countries at 

Cooperation@epfl: implications and opportunities” report shows the potential of the 

EPFL in this domain and the specific role that Cooperation@epfl could have as a 

promoter of partnerships with emerging and developing countries in the area of 

health. The EPFL plays a leading role in genomics, bioinformatics and nanotechnology, 

which are some of the main technologies for improving health in developing 

countries, and it has further interests in new technologies, which will be developed 

through the Global Health Institute. 

Another area of focus has been added to these three projects: Crisis Engineering, 

based on prior EPFL expertise in this domain. With regard to this field, specific 

research has led to the publication of “Crisis Engineering: towards a culture of risk 

and prevention” 46 . Moreover, Cooperation@epfl participated in the World Congress 

on “The Role of Science in the Management of Natural Hazards and Major Risks” 47 

held at Davos in August 2006 with scientific experts from Switzerland and from the 

international organisations in Geneva. Plans for an MAS on Hydrometeorological 

Risks have been backed by the School of Continuous Education and it is scheduled 

to start in 2008 with scientific partners in Mexico and India. 

46 See more details of the publication at: http://cooperation.epfl.ch/page61831.html 

47 Available at: http://www.planat.ch/ressources/planat_product_en_762.pdf 

5.4 EPFL-SDC Fund 48 

In 1998 the EPFL negotiated a framework credit with the Swiss Agency for 

Development and Cooperation (SDC) to co-finance a series of innovative interdisciplinary 

projects, which were launched via an internal call at the EPFL. The projects 

approved in the first call were completed successfully in 2001 and a second 

phase, endowed with a total of SFr. 2 million by the SDC as well as an estimated 

SFr. 250,000 per year from EPFL funds and contributions in kind, allowed 

Cooperation@epfl to launch an additional call for development research projects 

in 2003. This was opened to all the disciplines and Schools at the EPFL and 

addressed to all its researchers. 

In order to comply with the eleven principles for scientific partnerships with 

developing countries, as defined in the Guidelines for Research in Partnership 

with Developing Countries by the Commission for Research Partnerships with 

Developing Countries (KFPE) 49 , the projects had to be inspired by the three basic 

dimensions of scientific cooperation for development: scientific excellence; international 

partnerships; and competence building in emerging and developing 

countries. As a result of the call, the EPFL-SDC scientific cooperation fund 

finances five scientific partnership projects from 3 EPFL Schools. 

48 Prof J.-C. Bolay, Y. Changkakoti, C. Waridel. 

49 For details see: http://www.kfpe.ch/key_activities/publications/guidelines.html 

Presentation of Pof. Rose Dieng-Kuntz, Scientific 

Manager of the Acacia Knowledge Management 

Project-team (NRIA Sophia Antipolis Research Unit). 

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46 

5.5 Seed Money Funding Program 50 

In order to encourage EPFL researchers to promote and reinforce scientific cooperation 

with partners in emerging and developing countries, Cooperation@epfl 

has launched an annual call for Seed Money projects. These are open to all the 

research and teaching units at all of the EPFL schools. The Seed Money Program 

follows the main criteria of scientific excellence, sustainable development and 

long-term scientific research partnerships, and represents a very open, and 

therefore, highly competitive funding mechanism, which will promote the design 

and launch of new scientific cooperation projects with partners in emerging and 

developing countries during the initial phase and it is aimed at getting subsequent 

funding from other appropriate backers. 

Cooperation@epfl launched the first Seed Money Call at the end of 2005 with a 

total budget of SFr. 100,000, which came entirely from EPFL funds. A total of 15 

proposals were submitted from the different EPFL Schools. A total of 8 proposals 

were selected for total or partial funding. A new call has been launched for 

2007 with the selection of 9 new projects. 

5.6 MAS in Development, Technologies and Society (MAS DTS) 51 

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This 26-week full-time training course targets engineers, architects and qualified 

graduates in other disciplines from university level educational institutions in all 

countries. Participants should be committed to improving people’s living conditions 

and to sustainable development in different regions of the world, and should 

have an interest in problems linked to the integration of technology and sustainable 

development. The next session of the MAS DTS is organized jointly with the 

International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE – Groupe 

EIER-ETSHER) and takes place in Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso between 16 

October 2006 and 27 April 2007 52 . The MAS DTS is based on the past experience 

of postgraduate courses in development acquired by the EPFL and 2IE 

since 1978, with the financial support of SDC. 

50 Prof. J.-C. Bolay, M. Schmid, Dr G. Schachermayr. 

51 Prof J.-C. Bolay, Y. Changkakoti, Dr A. Repetti, C. Waridel. 

52 http://cooperation.epfl.ch/mdts.html 

Development of a coupled 

solar-biological system for 

the disinfection and elimination 

of organic contaminants 

in drinking and waste waters in 

rural areas of Colombia; carried 

out by EPFL in partnership with 

Universidad del Valle (UNIVALLE) 

in Cali, Colombia (2005). 

5.7 Cooperation and Development Conference 2006 53 

The theme of our annual conference in 2006 was “Scientific cooperation 

research: a chance for development?”. Its aim was to support the idea that scientific 

collaboration between the North and South leads to positive changes for 

development. Collaborations enable institutions from industrialized as well as 

developing or emerging economies to address fundamental societal issues, while 

promoting high-level research and education in order to foster appropriate scientific, 

technological and organizational innovation. The conference underlined 

the potential and the need for scientific cooperation, by blending together talks 

on specific cooperation issues given by eminent members of our newly created 

ISAB-COOP with specific examples of research projects, which have been 

launched at the EPFL by the Swiss Cooperation Agency (SDC) and the EPFL 

research fund. 

53 Prof J.-C. Bolay, Dr G. Tejada, Y. Changkakoti. 

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48 

Field work in the framework 

of the MAS in Development, 

Technologies and Society (MAS 

DTS) co-organised by the EPFL 

and the Institut International 

d’Ingénierie en Eau et 

Environnement in Ouagadougou, 

Burkina Faso (2005). 

6. Strategic Axes and Guidelines for the Future 

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During the first year of the new phase of Cooperation@epfl’s activities it was perceived 

that a strong positioning strategy should be based on three main synergic 

strategic axes: 

1. A solid financial structure based on the mobilisation of new financial support; 

2. A recognized image and position based on an efficient internal structure and 

the most appropriate identity; 

3. A sustainable spread of the inspiration of effective North-South scientific 

cooperation for development through accurate internal and external networking. 

The implementation of this strategy will be based on three different categories of 

activities and services that Cooperation@epfl shall accomplish: 

1. Research and education: Cooperation@epfl develops its own research 

through partnerships with its peers in emerging and developing countries; it 

carries out continuous training modules on the relations between technology, 

society and development; it strives to coordinate interdisciplinary projects by 

associating several laboratories within EPFL. 

2. Scientific services and institutional partnerships: Cooperation@epfl conducts 

consultancy, monitoring and evaluation activities on cooperation projects; 

it represents the EPFL’s policy of cooperation with external partners. 

3. Communication and information: Cooperation@epfl works to raise awareness, 

to inform and to give advice to the various units within EPFL; it provides 

information to the public, the media and development agencies about its 

activities in the field of scientific cooperation. 

With regard to the geographic focus, because of the institutional partnerships 

that have already been established, the historic collaboration links and prospective 

opportunities, Cooperation@epfl activities will concentrate on the following 

key regions for scientific cooperation: Latin America, South and Southeast Asia 

and West Africa, and priority will be given to the following countries: India, 

Burkina Faso, Colombia and Vietnam. Further key regions and countries will be 

considered depending on opportunities and on the basis of two main criteria: an 

excellent scientific level in academic and/or research institutions and the interest 

and priority given to development problems. 

7. Cooperation@epfl’s Budget and Future Objectives 

The annual global amount invested in cooperation projects and/or activities at the 

EPFL is estimated to be about SFr. 6 million, of which approximately SFr. 2.5 to SFr. 

3 million is managed by Cooperation@epfl. However, Cooperation@epfl itself is run 

on a limited functional budget, which was set at SFr. 300,000 for 2006. Most of 

this 2006 functional budget was used to cover organisation, management costs 

and travel expenses for the MAS DTS, the launching of the promotion for the Inter- 

School Projects, the establishment of a stable long-term operational Seed Money 

Funding Programme as well as the setting up of an International Scientific Advisory 

Board (ISAB-COOP). An additional budget of around SFr. 400,000 corresponded to 

the salaries of Cooperation@epfl team members. 

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Cooperation@epfl has established the following specific objectives for its first 

years of activities with a view to placing the EPFL in a better position in Switzerland 

and abroad within the area of scientific cooperation for development training and 

research: 

participate in relevant research and educational networks on scientific cooperation 

for development issues, both in Switzerland and abroad; 

launch the MAS DTS and support the Technology and Sustainable Development 

postgraduate course in India; 

coordinate scientific cooperation activities conducted by EPFL Schools and 

laboratories and foster synergies with other Swiss universities; 

launch major Inter-School and interdisciplinary scientific cooperation for 

development projects at the EPFL in partnership with scientific institutions in 

emerging and developing countries; 

introduce and implement a coherent global fundraising strategy for scientific 

cooperation for development activities, conducted by the EPFL and its partners 

and also reinforce the links with bilateral and multilateral cooperation for 

development agencies; 

encourage EPFL researchers to promote and reinforce scientific cooperation 

with partners in emerging and developing countries, which is also promoted 

by an annual Seed Money Call; 

represent and promote the EPFL cooperation sector in all scientific institutions 

in Switzerland and abroad; 

deal with the SDC and other Swiss and international cooperation donors; 

establish a scientific and strategic partnership with the Secretariat of State for 

Education and Research (SER), thereby enabling the latter to define the priority 

countries and institutions where the EPFL will act as a driving force in their 

relations with Swiss universities (e.g. India, Chile, Brazil, South Africa); 

develop an approach and a methodology for scientific partnerships with institutions 

in emerging and developing countries; 

continue managing the two scientific cooperation for development SDC programs: 

the EPFL-SDC Fund and the ISCB. 

Cooperation@epfl will operate a 2+4 year schedule during the first phase with a 

view to establishing long-term structuring and effective strategy. This first phase 

will begin with a 2 year short-term strategic operational period (2007-2008) 

aimed at establishing all the elements of the strategy and putting them in place. 

After this period, a 4 year mid-term strategy (2009-2012) will consolidate 

Cooperation@epfl and this will complete the first phase. In 2012, the 

Cooperation@epfl unit (or whatever it may be called then) will have established 

itself, both within the EPFL and externally, as a centre that is recognized and 

respected for the quality of its research and training as well as for its technological 

and scientific contribution to the understanding and resolution of sustainable 

development problems in the South. 

In addition to the evaluation provided on a yearly basis by the International 

Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB-COOP), overall strategy evaluations are expected 

at the end of 2008 (the end of the short-term period), and also at the end of 2012 

(end of the entire first phase) in order to assess its achievements and its position 

as a reputed centre for scientific cooperation for development. 

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International Affairs - Relations Internationales - EPFL

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