12. Education and research.

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1 12. Education and research. For a country lacking in natural resources such as Switzerland, a well-educated work force and constant innovation are its most important capital. The Swiss education and research policy is designed accordingly. Public schools, universities, postgraduate studies and international private schools and boarding schools are known worldwide for their quality. The federal structure the country also ensures proximity the business world and research institutions to the education system, as well as high quality. One special feature Swiss education is the dual training system: students have a choice between the traditional educational path at high schools and universities, or trade and industrial vocations and careers in the service sector, where they receive hands-on training on the job. Swiss Conference Cantonal Ministers Education (EDK) The Swiss Education Server Schooling and vocational training. Under the Swiss system, the cantons are responsible for the quality and type education (basic education, universities, universities applied sciences) within their territory. Only the Swiss Federal Institutes Technology are under federal direction. Various coordination bodies ensure that the education and instruction plans are harmonized among the cantons. Educational statistics Languages: German, French Handbook for Investors

2 Fig. 57: Switzerland s educational system Source: EDK, CDIP, CDEP, CDPE, October Handbook for Investors 2012

3 Basic and further education Education begins at the kindergarten level at age five or six. Primary school starts at age seven and runs through to grades four to six, followed by the lower secondary level, the name and curriculum which vary from canton to canton. Students attend a secondary school which corresponds to their personal level. With the completion the lower secondary level, students have finished the nine compulsory school years. Students can then either begin vocational training, attend high school to prepare them for university studies or earn a specialized diploma. 95 % students finish their mandatory education at the public school where they reside; only 5 % attend private schools. Public Fig. 58: Quality the education system, = does not meet the needs the economy 10 = meets the needs the economy 1 Finland Switzerland Singapore Canada Iceland Belgium Denmark Ireland Germany Netherlands New Zealand Hong Kong SAR India USA Great Britain France Japan Luxemburg Italy China Russia Brazil 2.22 Source: IMD World Competitiveness Online, 2011 schools enjoy a good reputation. In the 2009 OECD Program for International Student Assessments (PISA), Swiss students scored higher than the average in OECD states, with the public schools achieving higher scores than the private schools. The public schools not only provide an education, they also fulfill an important integration function: children with different social, linguistic and cultural backgrounds all attend the same schools. For Switzerland, a country with four national languages, multilingual skills are extremely important. In addition to their mother tongue, children are taught a second national language and English beginning in primary school. Fig. 59: Public spending on education per head in US dollars, Luxemburg 5,788 2 Norway 4,712 3 Denmark 4,480 4 Sweden 3,592 5 Switzerland 3,554 7 USA 3,050 8 Netherlands 2,880 9 Belgium 2, Ireland 2, Great Britain 2, France 2, Italy 1, Germany 1, Japan 1, Singapore 1, Hong Kong SAR 1, Russia Brazil China India 36 Source: IMD World Competitiveness Online, 2011 PISA study Languages: German, English, French, Spanish Handbook for Investors

4 Vocational training Basic vocational training begins after the completion compulsory education. Great importance is placed on practical on-thejob training. Over three-quarters all young people complete an apprenticeship, which lasts three to four years and consists practical work in a company and theoretical studies at a vocational school. In addition, students are eligible to obtain pressional certification, which entitles them to enter a university applied sciences where they can earn a Bachelor s or, in some cases, a Master s degree. Universities applied sciences provide a tertiary level education. 80 % Swiss students continue their education once they have completed compulsory schooling, placing Switzerland near the top all OECD countries with regard to further education. Federal Office for Pressional Education and Technology OPET Information the Federal Department Economic Affairs FDEA about education, research and innovation > Topics > Education, Research and Innovation This dual system ensures that businesses have a choice wellqualified and practically trained employees in a given industry. The rate unemployment among young people is approximately half as high as in Germany, Sweden and the United States. It is important to note that vocational training as a foundation the Swiss school system does not reduce the importance scientific subjects in education. Swiss education system > Education, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese Pressional education and training play an important role in Switzerland. Higher specialist and pressional training courses are conducted with the approval the federal authorities and pressional associations. Successful completion these courses leads to a Swiss federal vocational certificate or diploma. In Switzerland there are over 100 federally recognized schools fering pressional college degree programs, the majority which are engineering colleges. These schools teach qualifications that ten are learned only at universities in other countries. Vocational degrees are mutually recognized through bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU. Choice pression, field studies, career Languages: German, French, Italian 12.2 Further education. Continuing education plays an important role in Switzerland. Public institutions such as universities or universities applied sciences fer post-graduate programs and courses on various specialized topics which are open to everyone, not just graduates. Non-students can also sign up to sit in on regular courses. Adult education courses are publicly subsidized and open to everyone. There is also a wide variety courses fered by private schools from language courses to yoga to management courses. 116 Handbook for Investors 2012

5 Overview schools and courses Language: German In the 2010/2011 autumn semester, around 131,000 students were enrolled in these twelve universities, 50 % whom were female and 27 % were foreign students. This is one the highest percentages international students worldwide. At 48 % (2009), the number foreign pressors is also comparatively high, and has been rising since 2002, underlining the international aspect Swiss universities. Association Swiss Adult Education Centers Languages: German, French 12.3 Universities and colleges Universities and technical colleges Fig. 60: Swiss higher-education landscape There is a very wide range subjects study fered at Swiss universities. With the exception medicine, there are no specific restrictions on admission. For a Bachelor s/master s degree, foreign students must meet the language requirements and some universities require students to pass an admissions exam. Tuition fees for international students are also very reasonable. In addition to tuition, between CHF 18,000 and CHF 28,000 a year are required for living expenses, depending on the city and personal needs. As a result the Bologna Accords, which aim to create a European higher education area, all Swiss universities have converted all courses study to the Bachelor s/master s system. Within the scope this reform, courses study are increasingly fered partially or fully in English (esp. Master s courses). Switzerland participates in international student exchange programs such as ERASMUS, making it possible for foreign students to study at a Swiss university for a semester. Source: SER State Secretariat for Education and Research In Switzerland there are ten cantonal universities at which the main language instruction is either German (Basel, Berne, Zurich, Lucerne, St. Gallen), French (Geneva, Lausanne Neuchâtel), Italian (Lugano) or German and French (Fribourg). There is a Swiss Federal Institute Technology in Lausanne (French) and one in Zurich (German). Swiss universities have earned high praise worldwide for their curricula and fields research in certain areas specialization in various degree subjects. The two federal institutes technology in Zurich (ETHZ) and Lausanne (EPFL) work together with the international research community to conduct cutting-edge research. They strive to attract world-renowned scientists. Swiss universities regularly rank among the top 100 universities worldwide and even higher in Europe, while some the institutes are part the world elite. Swiss colleges and universities are also involved in international research programs particularly the EU Framework Program for Research and Technological Development and fer postgraduate studies (e.g. in cooperation with foreign academic institutions). Handbook for Investors

6 Fig. 61: Tuition fees in CHF per year (2011/12) Federal Institute Technology Lausanne Federal Institute Technology Zurich Basel Source: CRUS Rectors Conference the Swiss Universities Berne Fribourg Geneva Lausanne Lucerne Neuchâtel St. Gallen Zurich Lugano (Lugano, Mendrisio) Swiss students 1,266 1,288 1,400 1,310 1,224 1,000 1,160 1,570 1,030 2,040 1,378 4,000 Additional fees for international students ,000 Total international students 1,266 1,288 1,400 1,310 1,524 1,000 1,160 1,570 1,580 2,340 1,578 8,000 Overview universities Studying in Switzerland > Individuals > Education and Research > State Secretariat for Education and Research rankings Universities applied sciences Universities applied sciences fer practical training at the Bachelor s and Master s level for pressionals, most whom have pressional certification and have already gathered experience in their trade. In addition to normal teaching, these universities conduct research and development projects with private companies, in particular smaller and medium-sized companies, and provide advanced training courses to local enterprises. Languages: German, English, French Overview universities applied sciences > Universities Applied Sciences Swiss Continuing Education Association Information for foreign students As a result, universities applied sciences have partial responsibility for regional science and technology transfer and therefore are in continuous interaction with the industry. They have a large pool teaching, research, development and services competence which is strongly geared to clients, markets and practice. In their role as research institutes, they are supported at the national level by the CTI Commission for Technology and Innovation and the Swiss Federal Institutes Technology and universities. 118 Handbook for Investors 2012

7 Executive MBA program (EMBA) A special type further education is the Executive MBA program, which is aimed at managers with many years experience under their belt. Generally, EMBA courses are work-study programs that are based on a module system. Most the degree programs also include time studying abroad in addition to the courses in Switzerland. IMD in Lausanne is a prime example a top Swiss school whose EMBA program is regularly ranked as one the best in the world. The program at the St. Gallen is also in the top 50 in the world. Fig. 62: Executive MBA: the top schools School Location Homepage IMD Lausanne (Switzerland), Europe (Ireland, Romania), Shanghai (China), Silicon Valley (USA) emba English Omnium Alliance ( St. Gallen, Toronto, partner schools) St. Gallen Zurich Rochester-Berne/ Berne, Rochester GSBA Zurich, Maryland ZfU International Business School Brazil, China, India, Canada, Switzerland St. Gallen (Switzerland), Hungary, China, Brazil Zurich (Switzerland), Yale (USA), Shanghai (China), Hyderabad (India) Berne (Switzerland), Rochester (USA), Shanghai (China) North America, Europe and Asia Zurich, Boston (USA) MBA/EMBA programs in Switzerland com, unisg.ch English German German English German, English German Programs at Swiss universities Economist ranking Financial Times ranking > MBA/EMBA 12.4 International private schools and boarding schools. The Swiss education system also includes private schools. There are more than 260 private schools that teach courses in one the three national languages German, French and Italian or in English (and some also fer other languages) to more than 100,000 students. Above all, international schools are important for employees foreign companies, who ten only stay in Switzerland for a short time. There, children receive a suitable education in their native language or an international education and are prepared for the school leaving certificates valid in their home country, such as the Abitur, Baccalauréat or US Admission Certificate. There is a suitable institute in every region and all big cities. The school fees are average compared to other countries. Swiss Education Portal Language: German Handbook for Investors

8 Fig. 63: School fees for international private schools English School French School German School City Annual tuition Primary Annual tuition Secondary Annual tuition Primary Annual tuition Secondary Annual tuition Primary Annual tuition Secondary Ljubljana 8,483* 9,068* 6,455 9,898 n.a. n.a. Dublin 17,256* 20,677* 4,901 7,298 6,340 5,960 Barcelona 13,568 14,765 5,852 6,291 6,276 6,419 Singapore 21,981 27,009 14,225 15,961 12,153 14,026 Budapest 20,923 21,939 6,921 8,189 4,662 4,662 Milan 17,120 19,386 5,510 6,920 7,531 7,531 Geneva 26,292 35,384* 17,897 21,707 15,176 15,176 Vienna 17,190* 21,826* 6,039 6,039 n.a. n.a. Frankfurt 20,548* 22,312* 4,891 5,967 n.a. n.a. Amsterdam 19,847 21,103 7,007 11,028 9,467 9,467 Paris 27,162 31,665 6,562 6,606 10,027 10,027 New York 34,500 36,750 21,470 24,450 17,000 17,000 London 20,936 22,134 7,701 7,701 8,873 8,873 Brussels 32,346 39,375 6,380 7,805 12,580 14,258 * No English school available; data is based on the international school. Source: Mercer, Cost--Living Report, September 2011, Swiss boarding schools are not just known for their high level education, but also for their strict discipline and international student body. Often they have very selective acceptance criteria and are known for their elite standing in the world. Private school registry Switzerland Research and development Swiss research industry The faster the pace technological change, the greater the role that research and development play in the economy a country. Switzerland is a country with intensive research activities. It spent over 3 % its GDP on research and development in Since 1996 the real rate change is 4.1 % as an annual average and is thereby higher than the annual average economic growth during the same period (2.1 %). All relevant indicators position Switzerland in the top ranks international comparisons. Association Swiss Private Schools (VSP) Spanish Swiss Group International Schools Of the total CHF 16.3 billion spent on research and development in 2008, 73 % was financed by the private sector (approx. CHF 12 billion). The pharmaceuticals industry (CHF 4.6 billion) and the machine industry (CHF 1.4 billion) have the highest expenditure. The combined R&D expenses all universities and research institutes amounted to CHF 9 billion in 2008, which was nearly one-quarter total Swiss expenditure. In 2008 around 62,000 people were involved in research, nearly 40,000 whom work in the private sector Handbook for Investors 2012

9 Fig. 64: Total per capita expenditure for research and development in USD, Switzerland 1,953 2 Luxemburg 1,801 3 Finland 1,766 4 Denmark 1,694 5 Sweden 1,586 8 Japan 1,316 9 USA 1, Germany 1, France Netherlands Ireland Belgium Singapore Great Britain Italy Hong Kong SAR Russia Brazil China India 9 Source: IMD World Competitiveness Online 2011 Fig. 65: Nobel prizes per million inhabitants, Switzerland Norway Sweden Great Britain USA Denmark Netherlands Germany Belgium France Ireland Hong Kong SAR Japan Italy Russia China India Brazil Luxemburg Singapore 0.00 Source: IMD World Competitiveness Online 2011 Government funding is provided principally for basic research. The private sector and the scientific community work closely together. Each institute at the university and college level has a coordination fice for cooperation with the private sector. The CTI Commission for Technology and Innovation can make significant financial contributions to research and development projects in which companies cooperate with non-prit research organizations. Fig. 66: Research institutions in Switzerland Institution Location Website CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research Geneva English, French EAWAG Swiss Federal Institute Aquatic Science and Technology Dübendorf (ZH), Kastanienbaum (LU) EMPA Materials Science and Technology Research Institution Thun (BE), Dübendorf (ZH), St. Gallen German, English, French German, English, French PSI Paul Scherrer Institute Villigen (AG) German, English, French SLF WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research Davos (GR) German, English, French, Italian The Graduate Institute WSL The Graduate Institute International and Development Studies Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research Source: Swiss National Science Foundation Geneva Birmensdorf (ZH), Bellinzona (TI) English, French German, English, French, Italian Handbook for Investors

10 State Secretariat for Education and Research SER > Topics > Research Innovation promotion agency International research and development cooperation The Swiss private sector has a keen interest in research cooperation with partners abroad, particularly from the EU. Research and development cooperation with innovative foreign partners also allows smaller companies access to know-how from which they can benefit. The bilateral agreements with the EU create even more favorable conditions for this type cooperation and allow Switzerland to participate fully in all programs and activities the EU s Framework Research Programs. International research and development cooperation Swiss National Science Foundation > International Languages: German, English, French Promotion science Swiss international cooperation in education, research and technology > Topics > International cooperation > Individuals > Education and Research > Promotion science Swiss Portal for Research and Innovation Languages: German, English, French 122 Handbook for Investors 2012