A recent article in one of Germany’s leading newspapers Die Zeit on why it is important to not only support but just generally show respect to early career researchers.
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University.Now, an initiative concerning mid-level staff and the future of Swiss universities
Our board member Alexei Evstratov is part of the organizing committee for the event titled
University.Now, Quelle université aujourd’hui ? Forum de la relève suisse
which will be held in Lausanne on the 5th and 6th of December.
Please follow this link for more information in French and this link for more information in English.
We will post updates and further information in the coming days.
Actionuni mentioned in the Wochenzeitung’s piece “A kingdom for a chair”
A recent article published by Franziska Meister on the Wochenzeitung analyses the current situation on promotion of junior and senior researchers who make up the largest part of mid-level academic staff and mentions actionuni and our position paper.
Please follow this link to the article.
actionuni responded to the consultation on the SHK ordinance on the coordination of higher education teaching
The ordinance focuses on higher education at all three types of universities, defining which types of academic diplomas and certificates can be issued, how many ECTS are associated to each kind of study program and which sort of institutions is allowed to offer third-cycle programs such as doctorates.
Our main feedback point as actionuni is that UAS and PH should, similarly to cantonal universities and federal polytechnics, be also allowed to develop and offer their own third-cycle study programs, provided a rigorous quality control procedure be put in place to ensure quality standards comparable to those of existing third-cycle programs.
Read our full response here (in Italian).
actionuni – der Schweizer Mittelbau supports the Swiss Women’s Strike on 14 June 2019!
We believe that an increased promotion of women is necessary in order to draw on the full potential of excellent scientists. Additionally, we think that temporarily, quota are necessary in those disciplines, where women are heavily underrepresented, especially at senior research and professorial levels. Moreover, we strive for an equal representation of women and men in decision bodies to overcome structural deficits!
Please read about our further positions in our position paper (DE, FR, EN)
Furthermore, we would also like to inform you about the Academic Manifesto for the Feminist Strike (EN, DE, FR).
actionuni responded to the consultation on the Federal Act on International Cooperation and Mobility in the Field of Education (SR 414.51)
The new law is in effect a legal formalization of policies on cooperation and mobility which are already in place. This topic is clearly central to academic and professional training.
Our main feedback points were the following:
- we recognize the need for the Confederation to be able to manage its programmes more autonomously
- we support the establishment of a national agency with a specific executive mandate concerning the instruments of implementation of the policies presented by the law
- we welcome the opening to non-European educational realities
- we stress the need for the Confederation not to distance itself too much from the cooperation and mobility programmes linked to the European Union.
Read the full letter here (in Italian).
New bulletin from swissfaculty-INFO-18
The latest information bulletin INFO-18 from our partners at swissfaculty is now online. It features an article written by former actionuni co-president Salome Adam on why we need structural improvements for mid-level staff employed at Swiss universities.
Election of the new actionuni board and representatives
On 13 May 2019 the General Assembly of actionuni der Schweizer Mittelbau elected a new tripartite co-presidency and a new board.
Congratulations to board members Isabel Bolliger, Alexey Evstratov, Carmen Faso, Rashmi Rai-Rawat and to our newly-acquired actionuni representatives Sophie Girardin and Cosima Locher!
The co-presidents Carmen Faso, Isabel Bolliger and Rashmi Rai-Rawat wish to thank all previous board members and especially former co-presidents Salome Adam and Suzana Atanasoski for the excellent work done over the past year.
Annual Report 2018/19
The Annual Report 2018/19 was published.
actionuni responded to the consultation on the new law for the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education (EHB)
The new law suggests that the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education is being recognized and accredited as a University of Teacher Education.
Our main feedback points were:
- The new law shall include a paragraph on securing the autonomy of the institution.
- Not only EHB will be active in vocational education, but shall do so in synergy with existing offers at existing Universities of Teacher Education.
- A paragraph on proper participation rights for staff and students of EHB must be introduced.
Read the full Vernehmlassungsantwort (German).