ETH News

During this year¡¯s ¡°Innovation Project¡±, mechanical engineering students built robots that can cultivate a model-scale permaculture garden. In the final, on 16 December, the best teams will demonstrate how their autonomous systems sow, harvest and deliver fruit sorted by variety.

In Switzerland¡¯s first inclusive 'ParaWG'-flatshare, students from ETH Zurich live alongside people with spinal cord injuries. It is hoped that the students will draw on this experience to help make the world more accessible for disabled people.?

At its meeting of 3 and 4 December 2025 and upon application of Jo?l Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board appointed eleven professors. In addition, seven adjunct professorships were awarded.

Beginning in 2027, fire safety engineering will be planned more precisely as new regulations are introduced. ETH Zurich trains engineers by applying principles of physics and conducting experiments in a fire simulator.

For education expert Ursula Renold, a university degree is no longer a guarantee of a successful career. Those who still want to obtain one can confidently start their educational journey with dual vocational education and training program (VET).??

How do spatial planners handle AI, regulation, biodiversity and housing shortages? In this interview, the program managers of the continuing education programme MAS in Spatial Development at ETH Zurich show why good planning begins with people.?

How does he manage to balance two great passions? Bachelor¡¯s degree student Milan K¨¹hn opted to study mechanical engineering, but still devotes a lot of time to music. He explains why in the video.

AI chatbots are taking over writing for students and researchers. Linguist Giorgio Iemmolo explains what we are jeopardising in the interest of efficiency gains.

Anirudhh Ramesh began developing his own apps at the age of 14. He is currently pursuing a Master¡¯s degree in Computer Science at ETH Zurich and intentionally choosing a different path to many of his peers.

Michael Hagner was Professor of Science Studies at ETH Zurich for over 20?years. He held a mirror up to academia and advocated for its freedom. But what does he have to say about science on his retirement??

At its meeting of 17 and 18 September 2025 and upon application of Jo?l Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board appointed eight professors. The Board also awarded the title of "Professor of Practice" once.

Ece Sar studies mathematics at ETH Zurich. She puts a lot of perseverance and enthusiasm into pursuing her goal of passing on her love of mathematics and inspiring others to do the same.

The autumn semester at ETH Zurich begins on 15 September. Whereas the number of new Bachelor¡¯s degree students remains flat, the number of Master¡¯s degree students has seen a slight increase.

Science no longer enjoys unlimited and universal trust. An array of groups are questioning scientific wisdom. What does this mean for students and researchers? Gabriel Dorthe studies how trust and mistrust emerge through mutual interaction between scientific and research-sceptical?thinking.

Students at ETH Zurich are teaming up with engineers from industrial companies to help expedite innovation. This unique approach to teaching and collaboration has been hailed by both sides as a great success.

At its meeting of 9 and 10 July 2025 and upon application of Jo?l Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board appointed eight professors. The Board also awarded the title of "Professor of Practice" once.

Knowledge grows through dialogue: we learn by explaining and understand by listening. ETH helps facilitate this process ¨C in continuing education, in vocational training and at the science-policy interface.

According to the recently published QS World University Rankings 2026, ETH Zurich ranks among the world¡¯s ten best universities once again this year. It took the top spot in continental Europe, with only universities in the US and the United Kingdom ranking higher.?

ETH Zurich has set up a master's programme in mechatronics in collaboration with Ashesi University in Ghana. The first cohort of students is now graduating. The project aims to contribute to sustainable industrialisation in sub-Saharan Africa.

ETH graduates are primed to excel ¨C and they bring far more to the table than just technical expertise. This makes them popular among employers. But can ETH maintain its winning formula for education in the future?

In 2019, ETH Zurich launched one of the world¡¯s first Master¡¯s degrees in Quantum Engineering. Since then, interest in the programme has soared ¨C and its first graduates are already making their mark in industry.

What¡¯s it like to study at ETH Zurich? Once a year, secondary school students spend a week getting a first taste of university life. In this video, Juliana Pfammatter from Valais and Gianin Prevost from Graub¨¹nden share their experiences in lecture halls, laboratories and on construction sites.

At the meeting on?21st and 22nd May 2025, the ETH Board appointed two female and four male professors at the request of ETH President Jo?l Mesot. The Board also awarded the title of "Professor" three times and the title of "Professor of Practice" twice.

Around 100 Bachelor¡¯s students from the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering have spent two semesters working on their Focus projects in 11 teams. They will present the results of their projects on 28 May.

Graub¨¹nden architect and ETH Professor Andrea Deplazes has embraced the linkage between design and construction both in teaching and practice. In the noughties, he became a pioneer of sustainable construction, epitomised by the Monte Rosa hut near Zermatt. Deplazes is set to retire in July.

Monuments tell stories, but not always the whole story. Professor of architecture Silke Langenberg on why we need to take a broader approach to heritage conservation and which sites also deserve protection, in this interview to mark the 50th anniversary of the European Architectural Heritage Year.?

Two Master¡¯s students in Computer Science at ETH founded a start-up to offer high-quality, one-on-one online tutoring at affordable rates.

What is it like to study at ETH Zurich? Sally Liu shares an insight into her daily life as a student ¨C and explains why she finds it so important to speak openly about challenges.

In a total of 16 disciplines, the university ranks among the 10 best in the world. These are the latest results of the QS World University Rankings according to subject.

At the meeting on 5 and 6 March 2025, the ETH Board appointed five female and seven male professors at the request of ETH President Jo?l Mesot. The Board also awarded the title of "Professor" four times and the title of "Professor of Practice" once.

What¡¯s life like as a student at ETH Zurich? In the latest episode of the ¡°Student Stories¡± video series, Marcel Walter provides us with a glimpse into his life as a civil engineering student.

What is it like to study at ETH Zurich? Mohammed Said shares an insight into his daily life as a medical student and explains how a new world unfolds for him every day.

ETH Zurich¡¯s CAS programme in Applied Technology in Energy provides a deeper understanding of the energy system. It enables participants to play a part in shaping the energy future of their company or industry and therefore in achieving the climate target of net zero.

2024 saw ETH Zurich once again confirm its position as a global leader in research and teaching ¨C be it in the field of biology, energy sciences or space research.

Few courses of study at ETH Zurich have attracted quite as much attention as the new Master in Space Systems. Teachers and students strapped in for the programme¡¯s launch this autumn.

The Teaching Diploma in Sport at ETH Zurich pushes the students to their limits. Blending outdoor education with the romance of camp life, the course sees students brave cold water and river rapids. A glance into a programme one of its kind in Switzerland.

This year¡¯s Innovation Project required ETH students to develop kit-based robots capable of delivering gifts down the chimneys of model-sized houses. The ten best teams will compete against each other in the final on 17 December.

At its meeting on December 5, 2024, the ETH Board appointed nine professors at the request of ETH President Jo?l Mesot. In addition, the title "Professor" was awarded twice.

Marco Mazzotti will be conferred emeritus status at the end of January 2025. A good reason for a portrait of this dedicated process engineer, who came to his field of research quite unexpectedly.

EPFL and ETH Zurich Presidents Martin Vetterli and Jo?l Mesot consider high tuition fees as in the English-speaking world to be the wrong approach to improving the financial situation of the two universities. Students should be seen as success factors for our country and not as cash cows.

Where is generative AI already proving its worth in teaching and what are its limits? Will avatars soon replace lecturers? In this interview, Jan Vermant, Vice Rector for Curriculum Development, talks about trends at ETH and his own experiences.

The first edition of the CAS ETH Machine Learning in Finance and Insurance course is coming to an end. Participants particularly value the programme¡¯s combination of technology, ethics and practice with a view to making responsible use of artificial intelligence at their companies.

When Kiril Vasilev started his Master's in Data Science at ETH Zurich, he was taken aback by the intensity of the workload. In the latest episode of the "Student Stories" series, he shares how he adapted to this demanding new routine.

ETH doctoral student Rolf Imseng comes from a working class family. Together with ETH Vice President Julia Dannath and ETH Professor Ursula Renold, he talks about the hurdles that his background brings with it. A conversation about social mobility in Switzerland.

Michelle Halbheer started her studies at ETH feeling uncertain. In a video from the "Student Stories" series, she shares how she overcame her initial doubts and reflects on what she would change if she could start over.

Challenges and setbacks can strengthen students¡¯ resilience and are an important aspect of learning. This is why the Student Project House adopts the ¡°fail-forward¡± approach. An essay by Moritz Mussgnug about mistakes and failure.

At its meeting of 18 and 19 September 2024 and upon application of Jo?l Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board appointed fifteen professors. The Board also awarded the title of "Professor of Practice" once.

Fatima Ali Ebrahim struggled during her first year at ETH Zurich, finding lectures difficult and knowing hardly anyone. She even considered dropping out. In the video series "Student Stories," she shares what helped her turn things around and why she now loves studying at ETH.

On 16 September, ETH Zurich will welcome about 27,000 students for the Autumn Semester, according to provisional figures. The growth in student numbers continues apace.

Machine learning, AI and new technologies are rapidly changing industry. The CAS ETH in AI and Software Development is aimed at managers who want to make better informed decisions for their companies. It is part of the new MAS in AI and Digital Technology.

The Department of Earth Sciences at ETH Zurich has been renamed the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, abbreviated to D-EAPS, effective 1 August. Head of Department Johan Robertsson explains why the renaming was both logical and necessary.

At its meeting of 11 and 12 July 2024 and upon application of Jo?l Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board appointed six professors. The Board also awarded the title of "Professor" two times and the title of "Professor of Practice" once.

Start-up URBNC 3 produces sustainable and personalised sandals with the aid of digital technology. The start-up took its first steps at the Student Project House of ETH Zurich.

ETH Zurich maintains its excellent ranking from the previous year in the QS rankings just published. Alongside top scores for its academic reputation and international outlook, the university¡¯s efforts in the area of sustainability have also helped it to retain seventh place. The faculty-student ratio remains the indicator in which the university scores lowest.

Since 2003, when Joachim Buhmann became an ETH professor, he has helped shape the explosive development of machine learning. It is not technical progress that worries him, but how society deals with it. Shortly before his retirement, he looks back on his academic career.

ETH Zurich announces its expedition towards climate neutrality today with pop-up events by students and the first Net Zero Day. The "ETH Net Zero" programme supports the reduction of emissions by 2030 and offers people plenty of ways to get involved.

Paolo Ermanni researched novel composite materials at ETH for over a quarter of a century. His enthusiasm for materials was rivalled only by his passion for teaching. He will also go down in ETH history as the first Vice Rector for Continuing Education. To mark his retirement, we take a look back at his storied career.

At its meeting of 22 and 23 May 2024 and upon application of Jo?l Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board appointed twelve professors. The Board also awarded the title of "Professor" four times and the title of "Professor of Practice" three times.

Walter Thurnherr was Chancellor and Chief of Staff of the Swiss Federal Council for eight years. With effect from October 2024, he will be a professor at ETH Zurich, where he will support the establishment of a School of Public Policy and contribute to a better understanding between academia and politics.

Racing cars, robots, aircraft: Bachelor¡¯s students in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering spend two semesters working on a project in teams. They will be presenting their results on 28 May 2024.

Medical students at ETH Zurich build a gripper hand for elbow exoskeletons in a crash course lasting just one week. This course has now been honoured with the 2024 Kite Award, the ETH prize for particularly innovative teaching.

Juraj Hromkovic has been Professor of Information Technology at ETH Zurich for the past 20 years. During this time, he has been a leading advocate of teaching computer science in schools. He¡¯s now giving his farewell lecture.

Studying at ETH Zurich is demanding, and all students have their own personal hurdles to overcome. This video series portrays ETH students.

At its meeting of 6 and 7 March 2024 and upon application of Jo?l Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board appointed nine professors. The Board also awarded the title of "Professor" three times and the title of "Professor of Practice" once.

Christoph Sch?r is one of the Swiss climate scientists who have shaped high-resolution climate modelling. He is now retiring after more than 35 years at ETH Zurich. In this portrait, he explains why he himself never tires of researching climate change.

Studying at ETH Zurich is demanding, and all students have their own personal hurdles to overcome. This video series portrays ETH students.

Studying at ETH Zurich is demanding, and all students have their own personal hurdles to overcome. This video series portrays ETH students.

Newly elected members of the Swiss National Council are often confronted with a bewildering array of complex issues. ETH Zurich organised a special two-day seminar to equip them with scientific expertise in key policy areas.

What began as a venture quickly proved its worth: The ETH Bachelor in Human Medicine is well received by graduates and has helped to establish ETH Zurich in the Swiss medical education landscape. In a video, five graduates talk about what makes studying medicine at ETH so special.

A new Master¡¯s degree programme in Space Systems will be launched at ETH Zurich in autumn 2024. Interested parties can start applying in April.

At its meeting of 6 and 7 December 2023 and upon application of Jo?l Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board appointed twelve professors and awarded the title "Professor of Practice" once. ?

Mohammed Said is in his third semester of the Bachelor of Human Medicine at ETH Zurich. He plans to work abroad as a doctor and researcher one day and put his knowledge into practice in countries where people are not as fortunate as in Switzerland.

Clara Ehrenzeller studied human medicine at ETH Zurich. Aspects of her course that she will never forget were her six-week research internship at a children¡¯s hospital in Canada and her deployment at the Kantonsspital Baden. She is currently pursuing a Master¡¯s degree in Ticino.

ETH student Luca Hasler has developed a new set of handlebars for parathlete Flurina Rigling. After clinching two world championship titles, she now aims to qualify for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

ETH is offering a new continuing education programme in the serviceability and repairability of buildings and products. The CAS is backed by an architect, a product developer and a production technologist.

G¨¹nther Vogt is one of the most sought-after landscape architects of our time. He has opened the eyes of an entire generation of architects to public space. After 18 years as an ETH professor, he is now retiring.

Dimos Poulikakos is retiring in January 2024. The ETH Professor of Thermodynamics has developed many practical applications. His lectures on the fundamentals of thermodynamics have delighted more than 8,000 students; now he passes on a piece of advice for aspiring researchers.

For the first time, a team of students from ETH Zurich is taking part in the renowned World Solar Challenge. Will they be able to keep up with the world¡¯s best?

Studying at ETH Zurich is challenging, and all students have their personal hurdles to overcome. This video series shows personal portraits of ETH students.

Studying at ETH Zurich is challenging, and all students have their personal hurdles to overcome. This video series shows personal portraits of ETH students.

At its meeting of 20 and 21 September 2023 and upon application of Jo?l Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board appointed five professors and awarded the title of professor three times.

Studying at ETH Zurich is challenging, and all students have their personal hurdles to overcome. This video series shows personal portraits of ETH students.

On 18 September, ETH Zurich will welcome more than 25,000 students for the Autumn Semester, according to provisional figures. Enrolment at the Bachelor¡¯s level has risen for the first time since the pandemic.

The first woman mathematics professor at ETH Zurich, Sara van de Geer, is retiring after 18 years at the university. For the moment, not a lot will change for the Dutch researcher ¨C and she is fine with that.

Every year at ETH Zurich, hundreds of students learn the fundamentals of mathematics through lectures and exercises. Now, their lecturers are also setting them practise sequences on the computer. This interview highlights the potential of a new method.

ETH students are mapping the groundwater in an area of forest near Bern. This fieldwork will give them the skills they need for a career in environmental engineering.

At its meeting of 12 and 13 July 2023 and upon application of Jo?l Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board appointed ten professors.

ETH Zurich has moved up two positions to take seventh place in the current QS Rankings. This confirms its top position in continental Europe due in large part to its citations per faculty and academic reputation. For the first time, the rankings took into account the metrics graduates¡¯ employment outcomes, sustainability and international research network.

At its meeting of 24 and 25 May 2023 and upon application of Jo?l Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board appointed nine professors and awarded the title of professor twice. At the same time, the Board also bid farewell to nine professors and thanked them for their service.

From 2016 to 2022, Thomas Zurbuchen was responsible for research at NASA, the US space agency. From August this year, he will become director of ETH Zurich Space. This initiative aims to promote space research and teaching at ETH and to expand and strengthen cooperation with the space industry.

Bachelor¡¯s students at ETH Zurich were given a year to turn their original ideas into finished products. ETH News presents videos of two of these projects.

ETH students have developed a smart cane featuring an integrated camera that detects its surroundings and a tactile pointer that helps blind and visually impaired individuals navigate their way safely.

Professor Wendelin Stark and Nevena Paunovi? were both chemistry Olympians. In 2023, they will return to the Olympiad in new roles. In this interview, they reveal how the Olympiad has influenced their lives and careers, and what participants can expect from the host country and the competition.

ETH students have developed sensors that can indicate how people use urban spaces. They anonymously measure how people use objects such as chairs in a public square. The sensors have proven useful in the test run and could be used in future to plan public spaces based on needs.

At its meeting of 8 and 9 March and upon application of Jo?l Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board appointed 14 professors and awarded the title of professor five times. At the same time, the Board also bid farewell to three professors and thanked them for their service.

In the latest episode of the ¡°Student Stories¡± series, Jan Blum talks about his everyday life as a hard-of-hearing Bachelor¡¯s student, the difficulties he faced when he started studying computer science and what helped him combat the feeling of being the odd one out.

When doctoral student Panagiotis Martakis started studying civil engineering, he soon realised that he wasn¡¯t happy with his choice of subject. In the latest episode of the ¡°Student Stories¡± series, he explains why you should spend more time exploring other disciplines.

After failing a physics exam, Master's student Agon Besimi had one more chance to stay at ETH. The support of his family was his biggest source of inspiration to persevere.

Christophe Girot brought landscape architecture into the digital world and taught a generation of architects how to think on a larger scale. After more than 20 years as an ETH Professor, he is now retiring.

In the latest episode of the ¡°Student Stories¡± series, doctoral student in physics Lorenzo Graziotto talks about the biggest difference between studying and researching, and why he thinks it¡¯s his duty to step out of his comfort zone.