FernUni Switzerland under new management

FernUni Switzerland can already look back on several highlights this year 2022. The Anniversary celebrations for 30 years of existence was followed last weekend by the inauguration of the Briger university campus. And this week, the top management of FernUni Switzerland has been reappointed: With Stefan Bumann, Dipl. Ing. ETHZ, a personality takes over who is characterized by a rich experience in the private sector and a long-standing leadership position in the public service. Stefan Bumann is also very familiar with both the Valais and the Swiss educational landscape. Since joining FernUni Switzerland's governing bodies, he has played a key role in shaping the institution's new university development plan and has been a strong advocate for the expansion of research at FernUni Switzerland.

The further expansion of FernUni Switzerland will be shaped by

On his election, the new president said: "I am, of course, very pleased with the election. I accept this task with respect and humility. The word humility also contains the word courage. With courage, I want to tackle the challenges of the coming years with the committees of our institution and with all employees. The development of further educational offerings, the increase in the number of our own professorships, the strengthening of research in all faculties, as well as continuing education and service offerings are among them. First and foremost comes the 2027 accreditation as a university."

Merits of the departing management members

In his closing remarks, outgoing President Wilhelm Schnyder expressed his sincere thanks to all employees, to the members of the Directorate headed by Rector Prof. Dr. Marc Bors, and to all members of the governing bodies of FernUni Switzerland. Also to the address of the local communities, the canton of Valais and the canton of Schwyz, as well as the federal government. In a brief review, he paid tribute to the extremely successful path taken by FernUni Switzerland over the past ten years. As a highlight, he highlighted the accreditation as a
university institute as well as the recognition of the eligibility for contributions by the federal government.

The previous vice president Maria-Pia Tschopp and foundation board member Bruno Attinger have also stepped down. Maria-Pia Tschopp and Bruno Attinger have been on board for many years. Vice-President Maria-Pia Tschopp was one of the driving forces behind the foundation of the Centre romand d'enseignement à distance in Sierre, the former Study Center Sierre, and Bruno Attinger was involved in the establishment of the Study Center in Pfäffikon/SZ from the very beginning and was responsible for the construction of the university campus at FernUni Switzerland as President of the Building Commission.

Appointments to the Political Strategic Advisory Board and the Scientific Advisory Board

Both the political-strategic advisory board, which is jointly elected by FernUni Switzerland and FernUni Switzerland, and the scientific advisory board of FernUni Switzerland play an extremely important role in advising the foundation board and the management. The political-strategic advisory board is chaired by former National Councillor Felix Müri, former President of the Education Commission of the National Council. The former Vice President of ETHZ, Prof. Dr. Gerhard Schmitt, chairs the scientific advisory board of the Fern-
Uni Switzerland.

Dr. Mauro Dell'Ambrogio, who headed the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation for many years, joins the aforementioned bodies as a new member. Mauro Dell'Ambrogio built up the University and the University of Applied Sciences in the Canton of Ticino and has an international network in the field of education and research. Serge Gaudin, Director of Novelis, has been appointed to the political-strategic advisory board and the scientific advisory board as a representative of French-speaking Switzerland. He has successfully implemented the principles of the circular economy in the private sector. President Stefan Bumann as well as Mauro Dell'Ambrogio and Serge Gaudin will take up their duties next September 1, 2022.

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