Swissnex is the Swiss global network connecting Switzerland and the world in education, research and innovation.
Our mission is to support our partner’s outreach and active engagement in the international exchange of knowledge, ideas and talent. The six main Swissnex locations are established in the world’s most innovative regions. Together with around 20 Science Offices and Counselors based in Swiss embassies, we contribute to strengthen Switzerland’s profile as a world-leading hotspot of innovation. Our core values are:
Connecting its partners to thriving innovation ecosystems worldwide
Advising on trends and opportunities in science, education and innovation
Promoting the visibility of Swiss higher education and research institutions, startups and other innovation-driven partner organizations
Inspiring new ideas by promoting knowledge exchange
The Federal Act on the Promotion of Research and Innovation and the Federal Act on International Cooperation in Education, Professional Education and Training, Youth Affairs and Mobility provide the legal basis for Swissnex activities. Swissnex is an initiative of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation and is part of the Confederation’s network abroad managed by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The Swissnex activities are based on a collaborative approach, relying on public and private partnerships and funding.
The organizational and business models of Swissnex sites has evolved gradually since the network's foundation. The Swissnex model itself is based on the following four principles.
Swissnex offices are located in leading regional and global innovation hubs and in emerging markets with significant economic and scientific potential. The science counselors, on the other hand, are located in the political capitals of important ERI partner countries to conduct bilateral cooperation.
Partners of Swissnex locations include public and private stakeholders in the Swiss and local education, research and innovation landscape. These partners cover at least two-thirds of the costs of Swissnex activities.
Swissnex has lean management structures and decentralized governance. The headquarters at the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) is responsible for implementing the overall strategy, defining the objectives of the four-year mandate and the annual Lettre de Mission. The Swissnex CEOs also report to HQ at SERI.
Swissnex is driven by creative, open-minded, entrepreneurial employees who strongly identify with its mission and organizational culture. Swissnex CEOs and their teams see themselves as connectors, scouts, and knowledge brokers.
The Swissnex Committee advises the State Secretary on strategic issues relevant to Swissnex. It comprises ten high-ranking representatives from the most important ERI institutions (Swiss National Science Foundation SNSF, Innosuisse, swissuniversities), the foundations sector, and the public and private sectors. The FDFA’s Directorate for Resources and SERI (International Relations) are also ex officio members of the Swissnex Committee. The Swissnex Committee members are:
Christine Bulliard-Marbach, National Council, Swiss Parliament
Tania Cavassini, Head of Directorate for Resources, FDFA (ex officio)
Matthias Egger, President of the National Research Council, SNSF (ex officio)
Beatrice Fasana, Managing Director Sandro Vanini SA and member of the ETH Board
Luciana Vaccaro, President swissuniversities (ex officio)
Michael Hengartner, President ETH Board
Pascal Marmier, Secretary General, The Economy of Trust Foundation
Jacques Ducrest, Head of International Relations, SERI
André Kudelski, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Kudelski SA, and President of the Innosuisse Board (ex officio)
Pascale Vonmont, CEO Gebert Rüf Stiftung and member of the Swiss Foundations Board
In the years following the Second World War, many states saw the United States as a model for the promotion of research and development of new technologies. In light of the above, the first science attaché was hired at the initiative of the Swiss ambassador in Washington in 1958.
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