SAR Switzerland

The Swiss Section (SAR Switzerland) promotes the values and work of Scholars at Risk by hosting at-threat scholars, sharing good practice and initiating joint activities. Scholars seeking placement at a higher education institution in Switzerland through the services of SAR are advised to consult this information for prospective SAR scholars.

SAR Switzerland comprises 39 member institutions. The Assembly is the highest authority, supported by a Steering Committee with Roger Pfister as Chair (Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences), Florence Balthasar (Zurich University of the Arts ZHdK), Annie Cottier (University of Bern) and Luna Iacopini (University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland HES-SO). See also: Terms of reference

News

SAR "Free to Think 2023" report

November 17, 2023

The report analyses 409 attacks on the higher education community in 66 countries and territories. These attacks occurred in the context of authoritarian entrenchment and democratic backsliding. Governments increasingly used their regulatory power to constrain higher education and limit university autonomy, academic freedom, and free expression on campus.

Massume Zaki: scholar of physics from Afghanistan at EPFL

October 10, 2023

Dr Zaki shares her experience of fleeing Afghanistan, how she has expanded her research on photonics since and her concern for fellow Afghan colleagues.

Successful balance after 4 years of chairmanship and handover in 2024

September 12, 2023

Since 2019, Roger Pfister, Head of International at the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences, has chaired the Swiss SAR network. During his two terms of office, network membership grew from 17 to 39 institutions, and funding was secured from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) to host 5 at-threat scholars in Switzerland. For researchers from Ukraine, a funding scheme with CHF 10 million was established with the SNSF. Roger Pfister will hand over the reigns to Annie Cottier (University of Bern) and Florence Balthasar (Zurich University of the Arts) as Co-Chairs in 2024.

From Sudan to Università della Svizzera italiana

June 13, 2023

Professor Ahmed Hussein Abdelrahman Adam, an associate professor of archaeology at the University of Khartoum, fled the ongoing civil war in Sudan and found refuge at USI.

Members

Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences

Paul Scherrer Institute

Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology

Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL

University of Basel

University of Bern

University of Fribourg

University of Geneva

University of Lausanne

University of Lucerne

University of Neuchâtel

University of St.Gallen

Università della Svizzera italiana

University of Zurich

Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies

Franklin University Switzerland

Bern University of Applied Sciences

University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons

Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts

University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland

Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences OST

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland

Zurich University of Applied Sciences

Zurich University of the Arts

Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training

University of Teacher Education Berne, Jura, Neuchâtel HEP-BEJUNE

University of Teacher Education Grisons

University of Teacher Education Lucerne

Thurgau University of Teacher Education

University of Teacher Education, State of Vaud

University of Teacher Education Zug

Zurich University of Teacher Education

University of Teacher Education in Special Needs

Testimonials of SAR scholars

Higher education institutions in Switzerland so far hosted some 120 SAR scholars from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Serbia, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine and Yemen.

Several of these scholars share their experiences here.

SAR Sections are groups of higher education institutions and associations, that are members of the SAR network, nationally or regionally focused and organized specifically to coordinate participation in SAR activities. Unless otherwise indicated, the views represented by a SAR section, its members, or its affiliates reflect those of the originating author or section, and do not necessarily represent the views of SAR, other SAR sections, individual members, affiliates, board, staff, or sponsors. The use of the SAR name, logo, or other identifying material is for the sole purpose of identifying the relationship of the section, its members, or its affiliates with SAR, subject to approval of such use by the SAR board, as provided in the SAR bylaws.