swissnex singapore

60 Biopolis Street, #01-01/02 Genome, Singapore 138672 t: +65 6774 9360 f: +65 6774 9365 www.swissnexsingapore.org

singa

pore

2009Initiative of the State Secretariat for Education and Research

Platform of the Embassy of Switzerland

Swiss Knowledge Network with outposts in

Bangalore, Boston, San Francisco, Shanghai and Singapore

1

contents

3 foreword

5 at a glance

9 highlights 2009

19 official delegations & visits

21 media & communication

22 finances

23 sponsors & partners

25 team

27 one network

29 outlook

3

Dear Reader,

As one of the five members of the Swiss Knowledge Network, swissnex Singapore, a public-private initiative, offers a dynamic interactive platform enabling its users to connect to their counterparts, while promoting excellence of Swiss science, education, art and innovation.

Our tailor made services include study tours and visits by official delegations, executive programs, high-tech business consultation as well as events comprising performances, workshops, conferences and exhibitions on selected interdisciplinary themes, addressing stakeholders from a variety of horizons in the private and public sectors.

Our key 2009 events include the celebration of our 5th

Anniversary -a great opportunity to look back at five

years of achievements together with our partners and supporters, while enjoying highlights of Swiss technology and research-, performances by the Camerata de Lausanne and the ECAL Luxury Design Exhibition in the frame of the Singapore Design Festival.

We are proud to announce that the Directorate General of Higher Education, Canton Vaud, has initiated a mandate with swissnex Singapore, focusing on the development of partnerships in the field of health care and music.

We have entered the world of new media with Facebook and Twitter, enabling us to reach out to the key actors of tomorrow’s innovation playground.

With the celebration of the first swissnex Day, we have sensed the power of the network reaching out to its

foreword

swissnex singapore 2009 foreword

4

stakeholders during a full day of interactive sessions. This was just a taste of future events to come.

We have selected a group of outstanding personalities to join our local advisory board, who, together with our sponsors, Swiss and Singaporean partners, loyal and new participants as well as our colleagues from the swissnex network and the dynamically changing and engaged academic interns, support swissnex Singapore to become yet of better service to its stakeholders.

A warm thank you to all!

Dr. Suzanne Hraba-ReneveyExecutive Directorswissnex Singapore

“Thank you very much for your kind and attentive reply. swissnex is really a great platform for the visibility of Swiss Institutions of Higher Learning”

Dominic EggEl

coopération Et partEnariats intErnationaux, graDuatE institutE of intErnational anD DEvElopmEnt stuDiEs

5

Academic Programs and Student Supportswissnex Singapore answered numerous enquiries on higher education both from Switzerland and Singapore by providing information and support to the institutes of higher learning, as well as individual faculty and students.

swissnex Singapore also administrated the applications for the Federal Scholarships for Foreign Students, allowing the awarded students to pursue their Master or PhD Programs in Switzerland.

In the frame of the well established Language Immersion Program, sponsored by swissnex Singapore and organized in collaboration with the National University of Singapore, a group of Singaporean students could once again experience a four weeks immersion into the Swiss culture and languages.

Another example of successful collaboration is the Master of Science in Infectious Diseases, Vaccinology

and Drug Discovery, co-sponsored by swissnex Singapore, and jointly organized by the Biozentrum at the University of Basel, the Swiss Tropical Institute, the Novartis Institute of Tropical Diseases Singapore and the National University of Singapore.

swissnex Singapore also organized and coordinated the study trip for students from the School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, giving them the opportunity to discover the Singaporean scientific research and business environment.

swissnex Singapore is proud to have been invited to join the National Weather Study Project Competition 2009 as official judge, allowing the selection of the best project related to environmental protection, submitted by Singaporean schools and Junior Colleges.

EducationDuring various education fairs and presentations in Singapore and the region, swissnex Singapore portrayed the excellence of the Swiss higher education system.

at a glance

swissnex singapore 2009 at a glance

6

Highlights were the Study in Europe Education Fair and Discover Europe, both supported and organized in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Commission to Singapore, and the 6th OCSC Bangkok Education Fair, which swissnex Singapore attended in collaboration with the Swiss Embassy in Bangkok. These events, organized on a yearly basis, were excellent opportunities to present and promote Switzerland while strengthening the collaborations with local partners.

At the Asian Youth Energy Summit 2009, a conference organized in the frame of the Singapore International Energy Week, swissnex Singapore showcased the excellent studying opportunities in Switzerland to students with a background in engineering and/or environmental sciences.

swissnex Singapore is also often required to give support to local schools and institutions with presentations about studying in Switzerland and information material. Events were attended at the United World College of South East Asia, the National University of Singapore, the Anglo-Chinese School and the Public Sector Scholarships Education Fair.

Science & TechnologyAt the Singapore International Water Week swissnex Singapore ensured the prominence of the Swiss presence, coordinating a common Swiss platform for academia and business partners active in water technologies and aquatic research.

Within the frame of the Singapore International Energy Week, a prestigious event attracting international participants, swissnex Singapore showcased innovative technologies from Switzerland and promoted the TOPtoTOP Global Climate Expedition at the inaugural Clean Energy Expo.

A Swiss Pavilion promoted the research hub Switzerland and popularized its pioneering biomedical community at the Biomedical Asia 2009.

Prof. Konrad Basler, from the Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Zurich, was among the participants at the Euro Gold Singapore 2009, a workshop organized by the British High Commission and co-sponsored by swissnex Singapore, bringing together for the first time winners from the last two decades of the prestigious European Molecular Biology Organization Gold Medal.

5 years of successful activities bridging Switzerland and Singapore in the fields of science, education, art and innovation were celebrated at the 5th Anniversary of swissnex Singapore showcasing Swiss science and technology at its best.

The SCIENCEsuisse exhibition, presenting the achievements by outstanding researchers from Switzerland, was on display at Fusionopolis, Singapore’s powerhouse in science and technology, and at the Nanyang Technological University. swissnex Singapore had the pleasure to host two among the several scientists portrayed in the exhibition: Prof. Rolf Pfeifer, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at the University of Zurich, and the multi-awarded Prof. Michael Grätzel, Director of the Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne.

The Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), the Institute of Microtechnology, EPFL, and swissnex Singapore organized a workshop on Microfluidic Manufacturing and Laboratory Automation leveraging on the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique and SIMTech.

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

The presentation by Doris Albisser, CEO of CLS Communications, highlighted the importance of rapid and efficient communication, particularly in periods of crisis, and explained how to tackle the current

7 swissnex singapore 2009 at a glance

challenges on the language front and retain or regain the customers’s confidence.

Dr. Remo Burkhard, senior researcher at the ETH Zurich and founding partner of vasp datatecture GmbH, Switzerland, illustrated in his talk how groundbreaking visualization tools can be used in business and research to reduce complexity and boost efficiency.Additionally, the audience was introduced to the brand new “ETH Value Lab” – a world unique research and collaboration space with high-resolution multi touch displays.

The IMD “Driving Strategic Innovation Program” for senior executives was hosted at one-north giving the participants a unique opportunity to discover the science and technology power houses Biopolis and Fusionopolis.

Furthermore, swissnex Singapore assisted Swiss high-tech SMEs and start-ups in Singapore and the region by providing valuable knowledge networks, in a low-cost, low-risk and proximity effective environment.

Art swissnex Singapore welcomed the Minimal Landscapes exhibition by scientist and artist Ariel Ruiz i Altaba at the National Library of Singapore, exploring boundaries at the intersection between art and science.

At its 5th Anniversary Celebrations, swissnex Singapore presented NOVA, a 3D LED light cube, interacting with a flute and cello concert showcasing Swiss design and technology at its best.

The exquisite music performances by the Camerata de Lausanne delighted the public attending several concerts and marked the growing collaboration between the Conservatory of Lausanne and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.

Within the frame of the Singapore Design Festival 2009, the ECAL Luxury & Design exhibition as well as lectures by Pierre Keller, the emblematic Director of ECAL, the University of art and design Lausanne,

“I am writing to thank you sincerely for your gracious hospitality during the visit of me and my delegation to swissnex Singapore on October 15th and 16th 2009. You and your colleagues were most generous with your time and sharing your views and perspectives with me and my delegation members. I also appreciate very much the interesting and fruitful discussions I had with the students of the bilateral exchange program.

I take this opportunity to wish you continued success and I am confident that the cordial relations which exist between our institutions will be maintained and further strengthened in the future.”

statE councillor stEfan KölliKEr

ministEr of EDucation of thE canton st. gallEn

“Wunderbar hier zu sein und die kombinierte Gastfreundschaft Singapore-Schweiz zu geniessen: so ist eben swissnex!”

thomas ZEltnEr

DirEctor, fEDEral officE of public hEalth

8

celebrated new trends in Luxury Design made in Switzerland by a young generation of designers.

Artworks by Nathalie Laoué, a French artist living in Singapore, were displayed at swissnex Singapore premises.

DelegationsProf. Thomas Zeltner, Director of the Federal Office of Public Health, and Dr. Gaudenz Silberschmidt, Vice-Director for International Affairs, stopped over in Singapore for official meetings with Minister of Health Dr. Khaw Boon Wan and representatives of the Health sector.

A delegation from the Haute Ecole de la Santé La Source, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, accompanied by a representative of the Directorate General of Higher Education, Canton Vaud, visited several health-care related institutions in order to break new ground in future collaborations between Singapore and Switzerland in the field of nursing and gerontology.

Similarly, representatives from the Conservatory of Lausanne, visited the LASALLE College of the Arts exploring opportunities for future collaborations in the field of jazz.

The visit by State Councillor Stefan Kölliker, Minister of Education of the Canton St. Gallen, and his delegation strengthened already existing partnerships with local institutes and paved the way for future collaborations.

Prof. Patrick Aebischer, President of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, enjoyed a dense immersion program in Singapore, while meeting high ranking representatives of Singapore’s education and research landscape.

A group of future principals of local schools traveled to Switzerland in the frame of the Leaders in Education Program 2009, a full time executive program organized by the Singapore Ministry of Education. Purpose of the study trip was to learn more about Switzerland and its education and teacher training systems.

“It is always great to visit swissnex Singapore. Suzanne and her staff are doing a fantastic job to make us feel really at home in Singapore.”

michEl rochat DirEctor gEnEral, DirEctoratE gEnEral of highEr EDucation, canton vauD

“Un grand merci à vous et à votre équipe pour avoir organisé 3 jours de rêve à Singapour. Cette visite a été pour moi l’occasion de découvrir cette ville si fascinante. J’ai tout aimé, la science, les gens, l’atmosphère, la nourriture. Je vous suis reconnaissant d’avoir organisé de façon si efficace mon “crash course” de Singapour, tout était parfait.

Encore un grand merci et vivat swissnex Singapour!”

patricK aEbischEr

prEsiDEnt, swiss fEDEral institutE of tEchnology lausannE

9

highlights 2009

Minimal Landscapes Art Exhibition5 to 20 February 2009

The art exhibition Minimal Landscapes, by the Swiss scientist and artist Ariel Ruiz i Altaba, exploring boundaries

between art and science, was exhibited at the National Library of Singapore. Music performances by Karen Undritz, Swiss flutist and intern at swissnex Singapore, as well as Goh Tiong Eng, Singaporean flutist, added

swissnex singapore 2009 highlights

a particular note to the event. The exhibition travelled from swissnex San Francisco, Seoul and Tokyo to Singapore and headed to swissnex Shanghai, Beijing, swissnex Bangalore and New Delhi, leveraging on the Swiss Knowledge Network.

Biomedical Asia 200917 to 19 March 2009

In partnership with the Swiss Biotech Association and the Swiss Exchange, swissnex Singapore has set up a Swiss Pavilion giving Swiss innovative biotech SMEs the opportunity to showcase their ground-breaking products and services, to network and to discuss the latest discoveries, partnership opportunities and industry best practice.

10

highlights 2009 ScIEncEsuisse ExhibitionJuly to August 2009

The SCIENCEsuisse exhibition, a fascinating introduction to science, showcases the achievements by outstanding researchers from Switzerland, in a wide variety of disciplines ranging from astrophysics, geology, medicine and robotics to art history and philosophy. After opening the swissnex Singapore 5th Anniversary Celebrations, it has been exhibited at the Research Hub Fusionopolis and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU). A series of interviews with the outstanding scientists were screened during the exhibition period at NTU, allowing to discover the scientific issues that leading researchers are

tackling in the early twenty-first century. Professors Rolf Pfeifer and Michael Grätzel, two of the featured scientists, could highlight the opening and the closing ceremonies, respectively. SCIENCEsuisse had been sent to Singapore from swissnex Boston and headed to Tokyo and swissnex Shanghai.

Water Expo at Singapore International Water Week23 to 25 June 2009

The 2009 Singapore International Water Week focused on “Sustainable Cities – Infrastructure and Technology for Water”. Under the umbrella of the European Pavilion set up by the European Chamber of Commerce Singapore, swissnex Singapore showcased the Swiss

company Katadyn, global leader in the field of portable water treatment systems and purification products, EAWAG, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology as well as ACQWA and EnviroGRIDS, two FP7 European projects led by the University of Geneva.

“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. A small but significant step for strengthening our partnership in Water Technologies.”

michaEl toh

DEputy DirEctor inDustry DEvElopmEnt DEpartmEnt, public utility boarD singaporE

11

swissnex Singapore 5th Anniversary celebrations6 July 2009

5 years of successful activities were celebrated with an outstanding event. Welcomed by the Guest of Honor, H.E. Jörg A. Reding, Ambassador of Switzerland to Singapore, distinguished representatives from

the Singaporean business, education and scientific communities, could appreciate some highlights of Swiss scientific excellence. The guests could discover Cronos, a humanoid robot presented by Prof. Rolf Pfeifer, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, University of Zurich, NOVA, the first full-color 3D LED light cube from ETH Zurich interacting with live music performances by Swiss flutist Karen Undritz and Singaporean cellist Junyan Natasha Liu, as well as the SCIENCEsuisse exhibition, presenting the achievements by outstanding researchers from Switzerland.

swissnex singapore 2009 highlights

12

13 swissnex singapore 2009 highlights

Performances by the camerata de Lausanne 6 to 9 October 2009

swissnex Singapore assisted the Conservatory of Lausanne in organizing performances by the Camerata de Lausanne as well as recitals and master classes by the world acclaimed violinist Pierre Amoyal and famous flutist José-Daniel Castellon. This inspiring event was possible thanks to the fruitful collaboration with the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music of the National University of Singapore and the support of the Directorate General of Higher Education, Canton Vaud. It was set under the umbrella of the Sun Festival as well as the Encore! The European Season in Singapore and was the initial event of a series to come, including faculty and student exchange as well as summer classes planned in Lausanne in 2010.

“En ce qui concerne notre séjour à Singapour, il a été une magnifique réussite. Le but de faire se rencontrer les étudiants est complètement atteint et, tant Bernard Lanskey que moi-même, sommes convaincus que le niveau des deux maisons se tient. Les concerts de la Camerata ont montré un très bon niveau, sans parler du récital de Pierre Amoyal et de José-Daniel Castellon. Une grande partie de la réussite vient aussi, comme j’ai pu vous le dire sur place, de la qualité de l’organisation que vous avez mise en place. J’aimerais vous exprimer encore une fois ma reconnaissance pour votre engagement dans ce projet.

Bref, je garde le meilleur souvenir de ce séjour et vous adresse mes cordiales salutations.”

piErrE wavrE, DirEctor, consErvatory of lausannE

Pho

tos

by

Jona

than

Won

g

14

15 swissnex singapore 2009 highlights

Swiss-Singapore Workshop on Microfluidic Manufacturing and Laboratory Automation 22 October 2009

The third collaboration between the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), the Institute of Microtechnology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne and swissnex Singapore brought together Swiss and Singaporean stakeholders from academia and business in the area of microfluidics, fostering a fruitful exchange of knowledge and creating new opportunities for future collaborations. The event followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between SIMTech and the Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique on joint microfluidic research.

TOPtoTOP Global climate Expedition10 to 26 November 2009 TOPtoTOP was founded in Switzerland in 1999 to raise awareness on environmental issues, to promote the search for environmentally compatible solutions, to encourage the initiation of projects beneficial to the environment, as well as to collect good practices to protect our global climate and to share this vision with young people in schools and universities.

In collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland and the National Youth Achievement Award Council, swissnex Singapore organized and coordinated the tight program of the TOPtoTOP team during their Singapore stop over. Adventurer Dario Schwörer held presentations at schools, universities, the Clean Energy Expo Asia, and presented the project to sponsors, as well as media.

TOPtoTOP will award young students submitting relevant proposals in the field of sustainability with a working stay

16

in Switzerland to be sponsored by swissnex Singapore. TOPtoTOP was then heading to India, where its program was organized by swissnex Bangalore.

clean Energy Expo Asia at the International Energy Week 18 to 20 November 2009

The Clean Energy Expo Asia event was part of the Singapore International Energy Week, enabling knowledge exchange in clean energy technologies, services and financing solutions. swissnex Singapore set up a Swiss booth under the umbrella of the European Pavilion organized by the European Chamber of Commerce Singapore. Innovative research activities from leading Swiss research institutes such as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne and the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research were showcased.

Study in Europe 20095 December 2009

Similarly to previous years, the Delegation of the European Commission to Singapore organized what has become the most important European higher

education fair in Singapore, showcasing Europe’s exceptionally high academic standards with a great variety of degree programs, cutting-edge technology, advanced research facilities and an enriching diversity of cultures, languages and societies. By operating a booth with information material on Swiss institutions of higher learning and by giving two well attended presentations on Swiss research excellence, education and culture, swissnex Singapore was able to enhance the visibility of Switzerland and position the location as a valid alternative to the more traditional foreign education destinations in Anglo-Saxon countries.

17 swissnex singapore 2009 highlights

EcAL Luxury & Design Exhibition20 November 2009 to 10 January 2010

The ECAL Luxury & Design exhibition was produced by rising young designers from ECAL, University of the art and design Lausanne, in collaboration with world famous companies such as Audemars Piguet, Hublot, Nespresso, Swarovski and Christofle. ECAL enjoys international recognition as it is featured regularly among the world’s top 10 universities of art and design. The exhibition, as well as several talks by Pierre Keller, Director of ECAL, took place at the iconic LASALLE College of the Arts under the umbrella of the Singapore Design Festival, featuring the topic “Design 2050”, before moving on to swissnex Shanghai.

“Sur le chemin du retour, je désire vous remercier une fois encore de tout coeur pour votre travail, efficacité et professionnalisme. Tout a très bien marché grâce à swissnex et je vous en suis infiniment reconnaissant. J’espère que l’exposition aura un très bon écho et je me réjouis d’avoir de vos nouvelles à ce sujet.”

piErrE KEllEr

DirEctor Ecal / EcolE cantonalE D’art lausannE

18

19 swissnex singapore 2009 official delegations & visits

official delegations & visits

Prof. Dr. Thomas Zeltner, Director of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health6 to 7 August 2009

Prof. Dr. Thomas Zeltner and Dr. Gaudenz Silberschmidt visited Singapore in August 2009 on their way to China. In a presentation at the Singapore Ministry of Health Prof. Zeltner highlighted the strengths and challenges of the Swiss health system and discussed the H1N1 pandemic preparedness in Switzerland.

The visit also allowed him to pay a courtesy call to the Singapore Minister of Health Dr. Khaw Boon Wan and to visit the Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, the Singapore Agency for Science, Technology and Research, the Health Promotion Board, the Health Science Authority as well as the Duke NUS Medical School.

20

State councillor Stefan Kӧlliker, Minister of Education of the canton St. Gallen13 to 17 October 2009

A delegation from Canton St. Gallen, led by State Councillor Stefan Kölliker, Head of the Department of Education, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the University of St. Gallen and Head of the Council of the Universities of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland, visited Singapore in autumn 2009.

During his stay, State Councillor Kölliker visited several academic institutions to pursue the development of the collaboration with local institutes and took this opportunity to resign the Memoranda of Understanding already in place with the Singapore Management University and the National University of Singapore.

The delegation also visited swissnex Singapore where the option of further strengthening the representation of the University of St. Gallen in Singapore in collaboration with swissnex Singapore was explored.

Prof. Patrick Aebischer, President, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne20 to 22 October 2009

On his first discovery trip to Singapore, Prof. Patrick Aebischer, President of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, met high ranking officials both from the world of academia and business. The meetings, organized and coordinated by swissnex Singapore, allowed Prof. Aebischer to personally experience the highly vibrant research hubs in Singapore and opened doors for future partnerships and collaborations. It was

also the opportunity to resign the Memorandum of Understanding already in place with the National University of Singapore.

Directorate General of Higher Education, canton Vaud5 August 2008

A delegation of the Directorate General of Higher Education, Canton Vaud, headed by Michel Rochat, Director General, and comprising representatives from the health care and music education sectors, visited Singapore in autumn 2009.

Patrice Hof, Director of the Haute Ecole Vaudoise, Maxline Stettler, Director of the International Department for Asia, Canton Vaud, as well as Madeleine Baumann and Nataly Viens Python from the La Source Health Campus explored collaboration opportunities in the field of nursing and gerontology. They met representatives from the Ministry of Health and visited a variety of Singaporean institutions related to health care, ranging from polytechnics offering curricula in the respective areas, to nursing schools, homes as well as hospitals.

On a similar note, in the music domain, George Robert, Director of the Jazz Department of the Conservatory of Lausanne, met representatives from the LASALLE College of the Arts to explore student and faculty exchange as well as participation to the Montreux and Mosaic Jazz Festivals.

21 swissnex singapore 2009 media & communication / finances

In an effort to keep up with the new technologies and reach out to the youngest stakeholders, swissnex Singapore has set up a presence on Facebook and on Twitter where events, news and information are constantly updated. Our website still enjoys popularity with its informative events pages, photos and reports, updates on relevant programs in Switzerland and Singapore and comprehensive information about studying opportunities in Switzerland. The swissnex Singapore newsletter, sent out quarterly to more than 4’000 stakeholders, provides regular information about our future and past activities.

A good collaboration with local media allowed excellent visibility and exposure for our events. Adventurers Dario and Sabine Schwörer, TOPtoTOP Global Climate Expedition, appeared on Channel

media & communication

News Asia in a live interview at the TV show “Primetime Morning”. Furthermore, articles about the expedition were published in “The Straits Times”, “New Paper”, “Lianhe Zaobao” and “Nautique Magazine”. The Schwörer family was also interviewed and filmed to be featured in a new environment show in Singapore in 2010. This extensive coverage was most welcome in the frame of the Singapore International Energy Week, profiling Switzerland as a sustainability conscious country actively involved in technology research and awareness campaigns.

In the context of the Camerata de Lausanne performances, renowned violinist Pierre Amoyal, founder and first violin of the Camerata de Lausanne as well as José-Daniel Castellon, Flute Professor at the Conservatory of Lausanne, were interviewed on radio Symphony 92.4FM, Singapore’s premier classical music station.

22

The State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER) covers the operational costs as well as the core costs of the events of swissnex Singapore. swissnex Singapore is a public-private platform and the mandate by SER requires that our events are financed with at least 2/3 by third parties.

In 2009 this ratio has been largely met and we would like to thank our sponsors and partners for their contributions and support.

finances

SER, Operational42%

Third Parties, Operational & Mandates

3%

Third Parties, Events 45% SER, Events

10%

SER Operational 312’000 CHF

SER Events 73’440 CHF

Third Parties Events (cash and in kind)

325’380 CHF

Third Parties Operational & Mandates

20’620 CHF

TOTAL 731’440 CHF

23 swissnex singapore 2009 sponsors & partners

sponsors & partners

SponsorsMain sponsors of the year 2009 include the Swiss private bank Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch, which generously sponsored the ECAL Luxury & Design exhibition and swissnex Singapore 5th Anniversary Celebrations. Présence Suisse was a loyal sponsor, with the support of the Singapore International Water Week and the ECAL Luxury & Design exhibition. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich and the University of Zurich supported swissnex Singapore generously on the occasion of the 5th Anniversary Celebrations.

Numerous other supporters including the National Library Singapore and Fusionopolis Research Hub have joined the growing number of swissnex Singapore’s sponsors. This is the opportunity to thank all of them for their confidence and support.

PartnersDirectorate General of Higher Education, Canton VaudThe partnership with the Directorate General for Higher Education, Canton Vaud, was strengthened in 2009 with the signature of an agreement for the promotion and development of the activities of the Universities of Applied Sciences of the Canton Vaud in Singapore.

In the frame of this mandate, swissnex Singapore will provide assistance in establishing new academic relations and consolidating existing ones, with the organization of programs and events and the facilitation of contacts with local partners.

ELIN ProjectThe School of Translation and Interpretation of the University of Geneva, led by Prof. Hannelore Lee-Jahnke, has recently embarked on a multidisciplinary project called ELIN (Emotion Language on International Negotiation). swissnex Singapore became official partner of this project and was supporting the research activities by searching for appropriate partners. The latter supported the organizers in data collection in the frame of a language study with participants who are native speakers of Chinese but who reside outside of China, Singapore being an obvious case study.

24

Stakeholdersswissnex Singapore is partnering with a variety of stakeholders including institutions of higher learning, research institutes, economic promoters, governmental offices, business associations as well as consulting services.

swissnex Singapore is member of the Swiss Business Association in Singapore, the European Chamber of Commerce Singapore and BioSingapore.

Long term representatives at swissnex SingaporeThe University of St. Gallen has established a permanent representation office at swissnex Singapore. The St. Gallen representative, who is also in charge of the promotion of the University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland, ensures efficient visibility and coordinates existing programs. swissnex Singapore welcomes long term partners under its roof, as it fosters synergies between the various parties.

Short term users at swissnex SingaporeTo allow Swiss institutions, organizations and start-ups/SMEs from the high tech sector to explore the opportunities in Singapore and the region, swissnex Singapore provides the option to rent a fully equipped working space for a short period of time at a nominal fee.

new Local Advisory BoardIn 2009 a local advisory board comprising personalities from the field of education, science, art and innovation was established, giving its support and advising

swissnex Singapore on long-term objectives and strategic decisions.

This board will complement the existing advisory board based in Switzerland, shared by the swissnex network.

collaborations with Swiss community in Singapore The Swiss Business Hub ASEAN (SBH) advises small and medium-sized Swiss companies willing to develop their international activities in Southeast Asia. A tighter collaboration with swissnex Singapore has developed over the years in areas of business consulting, where the SBH and swissnex Singapore offer complementary services and in events organization, whenever swissnex Singapore reaches out to business communities.

swissnex Singapore being member of the Swiss Business Association (SBA), numerous swissnex Singapore events are open to SBA members.

Large scale events addressing the Swiss community have been organized at the Swiss Club. Numerous swissnex Singapore events are advertised and reported in the Relax magazine reaching out to the Swiss Club members.

swissnex Singapore facilitates talks and visits at the Swiss School for iconic events like the TOPtoTOP Global Climate Expedition and gets assistance from the Swiss School in all matters regarding primary/ secondary education in Switzerland.

The Swiss Association aims at providing a common platform to the growing Swiss community in Singapore. Many of the swissnex Singapore events are open to its members.

Partners

25 swissnex singapore 2009 team

team

Dr. Suzanne Hraba-Renevey is the Executive Director of swissnex Singapore. She was instrumental in the implementation of swissnex Singapore, which she heads since 2004. Dr. Hraba-Renevey also holds the position of Scientific Counselor at the Embassy of Switzerland.

Simona Cereghetti, who joined swissnex Singapore in 2007, is Executive Assistant and directly supports the Director. She coordinates the various activities of swissnex Singapore and is responsible for the administration, accounting, enquiries and official visits.

“Last year, I had the opportunity to participate in a University exchange in Canada and I heard about the activities of swissnex Singapore through a student from the National University of Singapore (NUS) who wanted to continue his master studies in Switzerland. He told me that your representation provided him with a comprehensive set of information and advice that helped him to make decisions about his future studies.”

bruno hässig

futurE acaDEmic intErn at swissnEx singaporE, stuDEnt at thE univErsity of gEnEva

26

The core team was supported by Academic Interns from Switzerland, who substantially contributed to the activities of swissnex Singapore:

Jeannine Nägeli, Academic Intern from January to July 2009Jeannine studied International Relations at the University of St. Gallen. She was involved in the organization of the Minimal Landscapes art exhibition and the Singapore International Water Week. After the internship at swissnex Singapore Jeannine went back to Switzerland to continue her master studies at the University of St. Gallen.

Karen Undritz, Academic Intern from January to October 2009Karen holds a Master of Arts in European Cultural Policy and Management from the University of Warwick and is a talented flutist. She organized the Biomedical Asia 2009 event, the 5th Anniversary Celebrations and the performances by Camerata de Lausanne. After her experience in Singapore, Karen decided to remain within the swissnex network and was appointed at swissnex Shanghai.

Jennifer Kahn, Academic Intern from July to December 2009Jennifer obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration at the University of St. Gallen. She coordinated the organization of the ECAL Luxury and Design exhibition, Discover Europe and the visit by the Directorate General of Higher Education, Canton Vaud. She left for a marketing company based in Hamburg and will pursue her studies in autumn 2010.

Frank Berchtold, Academic Intern from September 2009 to June 2010Frank holds a Master of Arts in International Affairs and Governance from the University of St. Gallen. He was instrumental in the organization of several education fairs such as the Asian Youth Energy Summit, the OCSC Bangkok Education Fair and Study in Europe. He also coordinated the visit by Prof. Patrick Aebischer, President of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne.

Jacqueline Kaiser, Academic Intern from October 2009 to February 2010Jacqueline holds a Master of Science in Geography and Economics from the University of Zurich. She coordinated the organization of the Clean Energy Expo Asia and supported the TOPtoTOP Global Climate Expedition in their activities in Singapore.

Benjamin Epstein, Academic Intern from December 2009 to April 2010Benjamin holds a Master of Arts in Media and Communication from the University of Zurich. He was responsible for the final project phase of the ECAL Luxury and Design exhibition, involving its dismantling and transportation to China. He also organized the BioPharma Asia Convention, taking place in April 2010.

27 swissnex singapore 2009 one network

one network

swissnex Singapore shares the mission to promote Switzerland’s excellence in science, education, art and innovation with four other swissnex outposts located in Bangalore, Boston, San Francisco, and Shanghai. A widespread network of science and technology counselors active in the Swiss Embassies and Consulates around the world completes the Swiss Knowledge Network.

Common activities are increasing steadily and several projects and exhibitions traveled worldwide taking advantage of this extensive net of connections, enjoying great exposure and visibility on an international level.

The swissnex network is reunited yearly on the occasion of the swissnex Day and the Science Counselors Meeting, allowing for extensive interaction within the network and with its stakeholders in Switzerland.

“This is just to thank you again for the pleasant atmosphere and generous support by swissnex Singapore that I was able to experience these past two days. I hope it will not remain the only encounter with you or swissnex. I am proud that Switzerland has good people abroad that are willing to move things ahead.”

KonraD baslEr

profEssor, institutE of molEcular biology univErsity of Zurich

28

29

2010 will be the year of the 10th Anniversary of the Swiss Knowledge Network to be celebrated at swissnex Boston, its first member. We are proud to look back on 10 years of growth and intensification as well as diversification of our activities. We look forward to meeting many of our stakeholders at the second swissnex Day to be organized in Switzerland in November 2010.

Many exciting events are lined up for our stakeholders. We look forward to the first Swiss Education Fair to be organized together with the Swiss Business Hub ASEAN, which will give Swiss Institutions of Higher Learning the opportunity to showcase their programs to a selective audience. The Singapore International Water Week and Energy Week are some of the highlights of the local scene. We will be present at both events showcasing Switzerland’s commitment in the field of environmental research and technologies. Design, Architecture and Digital Media will be the themes of yet other events where we hope to see many of you.

We will expand our activities regionally, reaching out to Australia in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland in Australia and the locally embedded Swiss Australian Academic Network. In Vietnam, we will attend an Education Roadshow organized by the European Commission, hopefully the first of many events to come.

2010 will be the year of the set up of the Singapore ETH Campus (SEC), the consolidation of the Higher Education mandate by Canton Vaud, the financial audit and activity evaluation by members of the Advisory Board. Numerous official delegations are therefore expected to visit us in the vibrant and conducive environment of the city state.

We would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your continuous support and we look forward to sailing towards engaging new horizons in partnership with many of you!

The swissnex Singapore Team

outlook

swissnex singapore 2009 outlook

30

“In all these years, swissnex Singapore is the best organizer and coordinator that we ever had.”

Dario schwörEr aDvEnturEr, toptotop global climatE ExpEDition