NORTH-SOUTH CENTRE - ETH - North-South Centre North-South ...

Strategy 2010–2016
In 2008, it became apparent that the business plan of
2006 needed to be complemented with a mid- to longterm
planning including clearly defined, verifiable goals
and priorities. In addition, it was considered necessary to
better position the North-South Centre vis-à-vis the other
Swiss players. Consequently, the Steering Committee started
a strategy process that was supported by an external
consultant and that involved the members and external
stakeholders. The resulting Strategy 2010–2016 of the
North-South Centre was approved by the Steering Committee
in November 2009.
The strategy positions the North-South Centre within the
ETH Zurich by relating it to the ETH strategy “Shaping the
Future – Strategy and Development Plan 2008–2011”.
Furthermore, it refers to the international strategy “ETH Zurich
in the Global University Landscape – International Stra-
tegy” (see below) and the strategies of individual
departments, notably those with a strong membership
base in the North-South Centre.
The strategy confirms the organisational structure (see
p. 13) and the three programme pillars of the business
plan: “Research collaboration”, “Capacity development”,
and “Networking and communication”. Yet, it is much more
explicit on the intended future research portfolio. First of
all, it lays out the conceptual approach of “Research for
development”, which is being discussed in the “Focus”
chapter of this annual report (see p. 18). The strategy
defines “Sustainable development for human well-being”
as the overall goal, and identifies four thematic research
areas: “Food security”, “Natural resource management”,
“Urban and rural transformation”, and “Technology and
infrastructure”. In addition, it alerts to three transversal
8 ETH Zurich in the Global University Landscape – International Strategy
In November 2008, the ETH Zurich approved the international strategy “ETH Zurich in the Global University Landscape”, which is based
on the strategy of the ETH Zurich. Its vision states: “As a university of the highest quality and stature, ETH Zurich plays a leading role in a
globalised world. Thanks to its broad national support and its growing international reputation it is the number one choice both as a
place of study for talented students from all over the world and as a research centre with global connections.”
The international strategy pursues nine strategic objectives:
Profile
Strategy 2010–2016
1. Recruit talented students from Switzerland and around the world
2. Prepare graduates for the global job market
3. Integrate foreign students, lecturers, employees successfully
4. Make ETH staff fit for the global workplace
5. Support international research partnerships
6. Negotiate international alliances
7. Support research partnerships with international companies
8. Increase visibility and profile of the ETH Zurich abroad
9. Strengthen the brand “ETH Zurich”.
The mandate to implement the international strategy was given to International Institutional Affairs (IIA). While the majority of the
international relationships of the ETH Zurich are still with partners in the North, the international strategy is a useful framework for
strengthening and expanding the collaboration with developing countries and emerging economies.