SAR Switzerland

The SAR 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 Scholars at Risk are advised to consult this information for prospective SAR scholars in Switzerland.

Important information on Ukraine: At-threat scholars from Ukraine are not required to undergo an assessment by Scholars at Risk to be considered for a placement in Switzerland.

SAR Switzerland comprises 27 member institutions. The Assembly is the highest authority, supported by a Steering Committee with Roger Pfister as Chair (Head of International Cooperation, Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences), Annie Cottier (University of Bern), Mathieu Crettenand (University of Geneva), Sara Elmer (University of Zurich), Luna Iacopini (University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland HES-SO). For more information: Terms of Reference

News

Solidarity with the people of Ukraine and Ukrainian higher education

March 3, 2022

SAR Switzerland fully supports the SAR statement that expresses its solidarity with the people of Ukraine and Ukrainian higher education and greatly welcomes the funding that the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) provides to host scholars from Ukraine

Radio reports on SAR Switzerland's assistance to scholars from Afghanistan

February 18, 2022

Two reports on Swiss Radio on the engagement of SAR Switzerland to provide assistance to at-threat scholars from Afghanistan.

USI (Università della Svizzera italiana) welcomes its first Scholar at Risk from Afghanistan

December 22, 2021

Afghan doctoral researcher Parwiz Mosamim was received in Lugano in November 2022 and has joined the research team of Prof. Jean-Patrick Villeneuve at the Institute of Communication and Public Policy.

Free to Think 2021: SAR Annual Report

December 14, 2021

This year's report analyses 332 attacks on higher education communities in 65 countries and territories, including violent attacks on universities, wrongful imprisonment and prosecutions of scholars, and attacks on organized student expression. The report highlights attacks in 16 different countries, from Afghanistan to Belarus to the United States; provides an overview of protections for academic freedom under international law; and makes recommendations to states and others to further protect academic freedom.

Members

Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences

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

Franklin University Switzerland

Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH

University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland SUPSI

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland HES-SO

Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW

Zurich University of the Arts ZHdK

Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training EHB / SFUVET

University of Teacher Education of Grisons PHGR

University of Teacher Education Lucerne PH Lucerne

Thurgau University of Teacher Education PHTG

University of Teacher Education Zug PH Zug

Zurich University of Teacher Education PHZH

Testimonials of SAR scholars

Higher education institutions in Switzerland so far hosted 13 SAR scholars from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Serbia, Syria, Turkey 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.