Swissnex

swissnex is a network of science and technology outposts aimed at connecting Switzerland with the world's innovative hubs. The network is managed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) in cooperation with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). There are currently six swissnex locations: Boston (2000), San Francisco (2003), Singapore (2004), Shanghai, China (2007), Bangalore, India (2011) and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2013).

Since 2003, the network has relied on public and private funding (one-third SER, two-thirds from other sources). Each swissnex offers a variety of services to Swiss companies, academics, policy-makers, and others.[1]

SERI also maintains and develops a worldwide network of science & technology counselors (STC) sharing the swissnex mission. For the moment, twelve STC counselors work at selected Swiss Embassies.

swissnex San Francisco

swissnex San Francisco is located in the city's Financial District, close to the Transamerica Pyramid. Services offered by swissnex San Francisco include public events, study tours, startup coaching, innovation consulting, press outreach, social media training, university affairs, alumni networking, workspace, and more. swissnex San Francisco hosts the three-month CTI Start-up US Market Entry CAMP for Swiss startups, and worked on a two-year social media program for all Swiss institutions of higher education, now called the Digital Campus. Public events organized by swissnex San Francisco cover topics from augmented reality to astronomy to innovative design. swissnex San Francisco maintains a blog called nextrends that reports news and insights from the American West in the fields of science, education, innovation, etc.

Criticism

Recognized among politicians and administrators, the network is very present on the front of innovation and technology cooperation. Its implication for the Swiss economy and research are however so far unclear compared to the costs of such a network. The choice for the locations of swissnex outposts is questionable: Europe seems to be forgotten.[2]

See also

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Schlegel, Flavia (2014-03-24). "Swiss Science Diplomacy". Science & Diplomacy 3 (1).
  2. ↑ Jahresbericht 2006 über die Schweizer Häuser für wissenschaftlichen und technologischen Austausch

External links