Richest Planetary System Discovered
Astronomers using ESO’s world-leading HARPS instrument have discovered a planetary system containing at least five planets, orbiting the Sun-like star HD 10180. The researchers also have tantalising evidence that two other planets may be present, one of which would have the lowest mass ever found. More...
Stanislav Smirnov: Winner of the greatest honour in maths
After being awarded the Fields Medal in India last week, an honour described as "the Nobel Prize for mathematics", Professor Stanislav Smirnov returns to his post at Geneva University. Swisster talks to the 2010 recipient about his work in statistical physics and his overall approach to mathematics, and discovers that Smirnov is a down-to-earth guy "driven by curiosity, not prizes". More...
Young Swiss chemists win copper-based metal alloy
The Swiss team has won two bronze medals at the 42nd International Chemistry Olympiad in Japan. More...
New Master of Science in International and Monetary Economics (MIME)
The new degree aims to help students acquire a strong background and analytical expertise in monetary economics, macroeconomics and international macroeconomics. More...
Swiss named president of UN General Assembly
Former Foreign Minister Joseph Deiss has been elected to the annual presidency of the United Nations General Assembly. More...
Swiss bakers on a roll in Boston
It all started when the children were craving bread with a real crust, so Helene Stohr began baking bread at home. More...
Swiss lasers map volcanic ash cloud
Laser weather technology, originally devised for 3D humidity maps, is the ideal solution for monitoring the volcanic ash cloud, says a top MeteoSwiss official. More...
Why Switzerland’s wealth is all relative
Switzerland is often described as the richest country in the world. But is that true? As so often, it all depends on what criteria you use. More...
IPR: Help or Hindrance?
Intellectual property rights (IPR) were originally created to promote the advancement of science and the arts. But does today's IPR system serve the public good? More...
T-shirt turns tough after transformation
The idea that a humble T-shirt will one day be turned into comfortable body armour for soldiers and policemen might be considered stretching a scientific story. More...
Government pledges Haiti reconstruction money
Switzerland has made a formal pledge of around SFr90 million ($85 million) at a donors’ conference for Haiti’s reconstruction. More...
LHC sets new energy record
The Large Hadron Collider, the world’s biggest particle accelerator, has set a new record for beaming protons. More...
Dreifuss welcomes “historic” US healthcare bill
The United States healthcare vote is a decisive step in the right direction, says Ruth Dreifuss, the former minister who oversaw Swiss healthcare reforms in the 1990s. More...
Swiss firms more innovative than ever
Swiss companies have been ranked the most innovative in Europe in surveys, dispelling the myth that the country's ideas often fail to find commercial success at home. More...
Gruyère named world's best cheese
A gruyère has been named the world's best cheese at the 2010 World Championship Cheese Contest. More...
Call for Candiates - Doctoral Program "Frontiers in Genetics"
The Doctoral School of the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) – “Frontiers in Genetics” launches its yearly call for candidates.
This NCCR founded in 2001 is an initiative of the Swiss National Scientific Foundation and it promotes the scientific excellence in Genetics.
Student senator climbs the political ladder
Raphaël Comte is just over 30 years old and already a senator. His young looks belie an ambitious politician with a remarkable track record in his constituency. More...
The experimental Rolex Learning Centre
The experimental Rolex Learning Centre, the talk of the architectural world, has opened its doors to students at Lausanne's Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL). More...
Bericht über die Architekturkonferenz an der Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD)
WBZ News Radio 1030: Interview with Swiss UN Ambassador Peter Maurer
New partnerships
On February 8, 2010, the Connell School of Nursing hosted a series of meetings with visiting health care and education professionals from Switzerland. More...
University of Applied Sciences in Lucerne Bachelor and Master Program
The University of Applied Sciences in Lucerne has just announced that it launched a Master of Science in Business Administration with a major in Tourism. This course requires a bachelor degree, good English language skills and provides graduates interesting opportunities in international tourism businesses. The education lasts two years and allows students to work up to 30% (50% for Swiss nationals) in the tourism sector. The course is run completely in English.
For more information, please download the flyers or use the following sites
More info: Bachelor Major International Management 2010
More info: Master Major Tourism 2010
29 new prestigious grants for Switzerland
On 14 January, the European Research Council (ERC) published the results of the second call for grants going to researchers which are advanced in their scientific career, the Advanced Grants. Alike the results of the first call, the success rate of proposals coming from Switzerland is above the European average, while the percentage of women and the number of projects in the social sciences and humanities is below par.
Amongst the 236 ERC Advanced Grant awardees are 29 scientists who will perform their research at a Swiss host institution. The proposals from Switzerland enjoyed 28% success, the overall rate being 15%. 13 funded proposals come from the life sciences (45%), 15 from the physical and engineering sciences (52%) and one from the social sciences and humanities (3%). The percentage of women (3%) is low, compared to the European average of 15%, which slightly increased from 12% in the first Advanced Grants call.
Open position for Director of Health School in Geneva (in French)
Deadline: Feb. 14, 2010 More...
New biodiesel factory fuels energy debate
Leaders to meet in Davos to "rebuild" the world
the think swiss climate trail quiz
Call for application: ThinkSwiss offers 15 scholarships for a research stay in Switzerland
This scholarship program supports highly motivated and qualified U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to do research at a public Swiss university or research institute for 2 to 3 months.
The scholarship is open to students of all fields.
Application - deadline: March 31, 2010
Office of Science, Technology and Higher Education (OSTHE)
2900 Cathedral Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008
Interview with Pascal Marmier
Interview with Pascal Marmier Director and Consul of swissnex Boston, Consulate of Switzerland and I-Open research More...
First in vivo baby sees light of day
Swiss researchers have announced the first-ever birth of a baby via assisted in vivo fertilisation followed by full development inside the mother’s womb.
Switzerland showcases science globally
Swiss science and technology is continuing to push back global boundaries with an ongoing programme to promote collaboration projects worldwide.
University of Lausanne Master's grants
University of Lausanne offers ten Master’s grants which are awarded on a competitive basis.
The amount of CHF 1'600 per month is granted for any Master's program offered by the University of Lausanne. Candidates have to complete the "UNIL Master’s Grant" form and submit their application by 1st February 2010 at the latest.
More information:
- Website http://www.unil.ch/
Medical help for Palestinians still a challenge
While political divisions refuse to heal, Israeli and Palestinian medical relief groups are trying to overcome numerous hurdles through evolving cooperation. More...
Candidate Registration for MIT European Career Fair, January 29-February 1, 2010
Deadline for FREE submission of resumes for the European Career Fair @ MIT (ECF): Dec. 5 2009.
The European Career Fair @ MIT (ECF) is an annual recruiting event, organized by the MIT European Club, that connects employers from Europe with the most talented candidates that live in the US. Registration is free and candidates have the opportunity to submit their resumes till December 5th 2009: https://www.euro-career.com/candidates.php.
Launch in US Alliance Kickoff Party
We are delighted to announce that the Launch in US Alliance was formed in Boston in early November to help technology companies expand into the United States by providing a ready-made support network that can accelerate their time-to-market and improve their chance for success. Alliance members offer all the core services required for US market expansion in one place, including: market assessments, sales & marketing, tax & financial, legal, real estate and human resources. More...
swissnex Boston located in a walker's paradise
According to Walk Score, www.walk-score.com, which rates adresses after their "walkability", swissnex Boston is located in a walker's paradise. A wakable neighbourhood is characterized by the proximity to stores, schools, public spaces and streets designed for everyone. The benefits wakable cities offer are better health of the residents, a cleaner environment, a strenghened local business, increased social interactivity and many more. With 97 points out of 100, swissnex is more "wakable" than most of the neighbourhoods in Cambridge, Boston, New York and San Francisco. A truly great location! More...
Switzerland in the Top 5 of Innovative Countries
Switzerland occupies rank 5 of the most innovative countries according to Booz & Company’s Global Innovation 1000, the global management consulting firm’s fifth annual analysis of global innovation spending.
Swiss companies generally increased their R&D spending by 8.7% in 2008, which lies far above the world average (5.7%). Two Swiss companies are ranked in the Top 10 of global R&D spenders in 2008: Roche Holding (3rd) and Novartis (9th). Despite the recession, the 2008 trend of the 1000 analysed firms represents a worlwide boost in the R&D spending.
- Read the full report
SNSF Fellowships for Advanced Researchers
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) is now accepting applications for the SNFS Fellowships for Advanced Research. Applications must be submitted by February 1st 2010.
These Fellowships enable young scientists planning to follow an academic career to benefit from a stay abroad in order to increase their knowledge and scientific reputation.
The fellowships are supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) in any discipline, except experimental and clinical medicine.
Find out more or contact fellowships@snf.ch
Study looks to keep universities competitive
Swiss universities often do well in the rankings More...
Cities with the world's best quality of life
When it comes to quality of living, Zurich, More...
BioSquare Coming back with a brand new format
The bio industry is changing, so is BioSquare Coming back with a brand new format. More...
Two Swiss Universities in the top 50 of the Times Higher Education /QS World University Ranking
Both the Swiss Federal Institutes of Techology, ETH Zurich and EPF Lausanne, appear in the top 50 of the 2009 Times Higher Education /QS World University Ranking ranking, released on October 8. More...
Zurich: Turkey and Armenia sign landmark accord
Our Newsletter - Fall Edition
Warm greetings and a special welcome to all newcomers joining us this fall season.
We have been involved in over 50 events during the first half of the year. For the second part we look forward to hosting delegations and individual visitors, reaching out to the communities and networks in the Boston Area and beyond, working closely with our partners, and starting the planning for next year which marks our 10th anniversary.
We look forward to meeting you!
Read more about the latest news!
An IgNobel Prize awarded to Researchers from the University of Bern
The Ig Nobel Peace prize 2009 was awarded to researchers from the University of Bern for determining — by experiment — whether it is better to be smashed over the head with a full bottle of beer or with an empty bottle. More...
Switzerland has sent its first satellite into space
The first Swiss satellite in history—extremely small and 100% student designed and built—has been successfully launched from the Sriharikota space station in India. Constructed by More...
We are featured on the front page of the Boston Globe – September 21, 2009
We made the headlines of the Boston Globe today!
CAMBRIDGE - It’s no accident that the Swiss consulate for New England, with its huge windows, exposed brick, and chic Cambridge address, feels more like a high-tech start-up than a European diplomatic outpost. More...
Health Care Abroad: Switzerland
Master Grant offered by the University of Berne
The Universität Bern offers six Excellence Grants for international students who wish to do a Master's programme beginning in autumn 2010/11. The grant consists of 1600 CHF per month for the duration of the Master's programme. More...
PhD Scholarship available in Brisbane, Australia
Switzerland replaces United States at top of competitiveness rankings, Sept. 8, 2009
Switzerland (ranked 2 in 2008) tops the overall ranking in The Global Competitiveness Report 2009-2010, released on September 8 by the World Economic Forum. The United States falls one place to second position, with weakening in its financial markets and macroeconomic stability. Singapore, Sweden and Denmark round out the top five. European economies continue More...
You better be aware of your smile!
Explore “Memory for friends and foes: The social context of past encounters with faces modulates their subsequent neural traces in the brain” (Vrticka, P., Andersson, F., Sander, D., & Vuilleumier, P.) a recently published study by the Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
For more information visit:
http://www.affective-sciences.org/system/files/biblio/VRTICKA_et_al_SNS.pdf
Feel like taking a dive in the Charles River with temperatures in the nineties? - Find out why you should consider it.
Comparing swimming in Urban Waters in Boston and Geneva, Switzerland
Urban Waters Research Study; Northeastern University, Boston MA; Abraham Finkelstein, Elizabeth Giardino Gary O’Connell
Introduction:
Today, prospects of swimming in the Charles River face three primary obstacles: pollution, funding, and public perception. Lake Geneva itself has also dealt with these issues, and overcome them successfully. Examining the progress the city of Geneva undertook can provide a model for understanding how to bring urban swimming to the Charles.
Find the full report here.
June 18,2009 - An overview of Swiss science diplomacy
Felix Moesner, Head of Science and Technology Office at the Embassy of Switzerland in Tokyo and Co-Chair of S&T Diplomatic Circle has created a presentation about Swiss Science Doplamcy.
Click here to download it.
March 25, 2009 – NCCR Program Frontiers in Genetics looking for PhD Candidates Starting in October 2009
Frontiers in Genetics proposes an international program for doctoral training, supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation. This program is based at the University of Geneva, and includes participating members from all of our NCCR’s institutions. The program starts in October 2009 and provides a strong background in molecular genetics and genomics to address cutting edge biological issues. We wish to recruit outstanding candidates with a degree in More...
The National Research programme «Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine» looking for bright scientists
Stem cell biology is an area of research with a high potential impact on the therapy of diseases that are still incurable, such as Parkinson's disease or type 1 diabetes. The National Research programme «Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine» (NRP 63) aims to boost research in the field of More...
February 25, 2009 - World Trade Institute: Course Program and Summer Academy 2009
The World Trade Institute (WTI) is a center of advanced studies and a forum for interdisciplinary research and teaching in international trade law and economics, fostering interaction between students and professionals, and allowing researchers and practitioners to pool their expertise. The joint centre of the Universities of Berne, Neuchatel and Fribourg (Switzerland) provides teaching, training, consulting and research in the field of International Trade Regulation. The WTI flagship academic program is the Master of More...
February 17, 2009 - MIT-alumni companies generates $2 Trillon a Year
It is not a secret that Massachusetts economy benefits from the presence of large and prestigious universities and the companies started by their faculty and graduates. Harvard published recently a report taking credit for nearly $5 billion in economic activity around Boston area in fiscal 2008. According to a report released today by the Kauffman Foundation, companies founded by the alumni of the only MIT are responsible for more than a quarter of all sales by Massachusetts companies, or some $164 billion per year. Moreover, if the revenues of all active companies around the world formed by MIT graduates were aggregated, they would surpass $2 trillion a year—which is more than the GDP figures of all but the 10 largest nations in the world. The study was More...
February 11-13, 2009 – EPFL-Latsis Symposium on “Understanding Violence - Recent advances in biology, sociology and modeling” in Lausanne
The EPFL-Latsis Symposium will bring together world leaders from very different fields to discuss major recent advances in biological (genetic risk factors; stress; hormonal alterations; neuroimaging data on brain function alterations), psycho-sociological (hierarchical relationships and population health; elements of the micro-context; developmental trajectories) and modeling More...
January 5, 2009 - Call for Applications for 2009 ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship Program
ThinkSwiss offers 15 scholarships for a research stay in Switzerland. This scholarship program supports highly motivated and qualified U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to do research at a public Swiss university or research institute for 2 to 3 months. The scholarship is open to students of all fields. More information about ThinkSwiss and the scholarship program can be found at www.thinkswiss.org. To download the Call for Applications 2009 click here.
LHC sets new energy record
The Large Hadron Collider, the world’s biggest particle accelerator, has set a new record for beaming protons. More...
