President

Prof. Dr. Susanne Suter

Statement of The President

“The Swiss Science and Technology Council (SSTC) is the advisory body to the Federal Council for all matters relating to science policy by virtue of Article 5a of the Federal Act of 7 October 1983 on Research and Innovation Funding (SR 420.1). Acting on behalf of the Federal Council or on its own initiative, the SSTC issues policy statements regarding specific plans or issues. Unlike other advisory bodies, the SSTC is independent, represents no interest groups and distributes no funding. When acting in an advisory capacity, it always considers the national education, research and innovation sector as a whole. It may also call upon national or international experts for support when needed.

Given the dynamic developments and numerous challenges in the education, research and innovation sector, I feel that it is important that our work be centred on our legal mandate to provide advisory support. After all, world-class scientific advances can only be achieved when scientific and research activities can be conducted within an ideal legal framework and developed within a naturally international context. One of the SSTC’s most important objectives is to continuously improve these general conditions so as to ensure that funding is put to the best possible use.

Restructuring of Switzerland’s tertiary-level A sector is currently a major political issue. The bill on funding and coordination of Switzerland’s tertiary-level A sector (HFKG), which is currently being discussed in the Parliament, establishes clear objectives for this sector. Over the course of the 20^th Century, society has given ever increasing importance to knowledge and has therefore placed correspondingly greater demands on tertiary-level A institutions. Under such conditions, the quality of education and research not only needs to be maintained but also improved. Education, research and innovation are the most important drivers of prosperity in all countries. The aim is therefore to create a national and international environment that enables our tertiary-level A institutions to carry out their activities in the most effective manner possible.”

Susanne Suter


Address

Prof. Dr. med. Susanne Suter
Schweizerischer Wissenschafts- und Technologierat SWTR
Schwanengasse 2 
CH-3003 Bern

Tel: +41 31 323 00 48
Fax: +41 31 323 95 47
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