National Councilor Thomas Hurter visits swissnex Boston
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Oct 15, 2010 05:05 PM
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National Councilor Thomas Hurter visits swissnex Boston
Nov 22, 2010 06:05 PM
swissnex Boston had the pleasure of welcoming to Boston National Councilor Thomas Hurter on October 14 and 15, 2010. Despite being on a private visit with his family, Mr. Hurter graciously accepted invitations from MIT, Boston University (BU) and the US Air Force/Navy to be the keynote speaker at various functions.
As a member of the Swiss Parliament (SVP/SH), Mr. Hurter was the prime choice for leading a discussion on Swiss education policy among Swiss nationals at MIT. The audience of graduate and Ph.D. students, as well as postdocs, conferred with Mr. Hurter on the problem of the brain drain in an interactive and lively atmosphere.
The next topic on the agenda was a controversial one: Switzerland and immigration problems. Over lunch organized by BU among its students and faculty, Mr. Hurter handled provocative questions on the minaret referendum and reactions to immigration growth in Switzerland.
 | From a university setting and questions on public policy, Mr. Hurter then flexed his muscle as a trained pilot in front of students and instructors at the US Air Force and US Navy. Mr. Hurter is a former Swiss Air Force pilot and currently serves as pilot and instructor with Swiss International Airlines. Apart from discussing matters related to the Swiss military system and its policies, Mr. Hurter evoked his own fascinating journey from military to civil aviation. Turning his attention to education and culture, an exhibit on Swiss contemporary typography by ECAL/University of Lausanne was in store. Mr Hurter was privy to a guided tour by MIT Compton Gallery curator Mr. Gary van Zante. On the next day, he visited Harvard Yard and the Institute of Contemporary Art, taking full advantage of his time in the Boston area. |
