A Significant Step for Swiss–Asia-Pacific Cooperation

The launch of the Leading House Asia Pacific creates a strong platform for long-term, trust-based collaboration in research, education and innovation. Mandated by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI, the University of Zurich serves as the Leading House for promoting and facilitating research and innovation collaboration between Swiss institutions and partners across the Asia-Pacific region.

Equally important is the bridge to business: research partnerships and innovation networks create their greatest impact when knowledge, ideas and expertise are transferred into economic practice. This is where the Swiss-Japanese Chamber of Commerce plays an important role by connecting academic and public institutions with companies, decision-makers and the wider Swiss-Japanese business community.

The President of the University of Zurich, Prof. Michael Schaepman, delivered the opening remarks, while State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation SERI, Prof. Martina Hirayama, delivered the closing remarks. The program also featured panel discussion, presentations, and an interactive dialogue. Among others, attending the launch event were H.E. Toshiro Iijima, Ambassador of Japan to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, who also serves as Honorary Chairman SJCC; First Secretary Mrs. Kanako Hiraoka of the General Affairs Section, Embassy of Japan; Dr. Arisa Takata Herb, representing the SJCC; as well as numerous representatives from SERI, the diplomatic community, and academia.

We congratulate the University of Zurich and SERI on the launch of this important initiative.