Re-Strengthening official Sino-Swiss Ties in education, research and innovation
In July 2024, Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin visited China, accompanied by a high-level economic and scientific delegation.
The scientific delegation, comprising representatives from SERI, swissuniversities, ETH Board, EPFL, University of Geneva, Swiss National Science Foundation, Innosuisse, Switzerland Innovation and SFUVET, went to China for a 5-day mission to re-establish and strengthen ties with local stakeholders.
During the visit, the delegation members engaged in fruitful discussions with their Chinese counterparts in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. The 9th Sino-Swiss Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology and the 5th Joint Working Group Meeting on Education provided a platform for stocktaking developments in existing collaborations, discussing current and future challenges, and networking between official counterparts. Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin held bilateral meetings with Minister Hejun Yin of Science and Technology and Minister Jinpeng Huai of Education. The presentation of the second edition of the Sino-Swiss Vocational Education and Training (VPET) White Paper, a joint project of Swissnex and Swisscham in China, was a highlight during the during the Joint Working Group Meeting on Education and marked an important milestone in Sino-Swiss VPET collaboration. The White Paper maps out trends in skills-based education in China and lists opportunities identified by Swiss companies to develop and scale their skills training initiatives. It aims to provide a practical guideline for deepening Sino-Swiss VPET collaboration.
In addition to the political meetings, the scientific delegation also explored the country's fascinating science and technology landscape through university and company visits, and engaged in interdisciplinary discussions on planetary thinking curated by Swissnex in China.
The mission confirmed the willingness of ERI stakeholders in both countries to continue collaboration in fields of mutual benefit. More such exchanges are expected in near future, as Switzerland and China celebrate their 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025. For a more detailed recap of the trip, visit here.
