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 in Switzerland.

SAR Switzerland comprises 40 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), Mathieu Crettenand (University of Geneva), Stefan Czarnecki (University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW) and Luna Iacopini (University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland HES-SO). See also: Terms of Reference

News

SAR Annual Report 2021-22 features Parwiz Mosamim from USI

December 9, 2022

Parwiz Mosamim, SAR scholar from Afghanistan hosted at USI's Institute of Communication and Public Policy since 2021, features in the report that outlines Scholars at Risk’s annual activities during September 2021 – August 2022.

SAR "Free to Think 2022" report released

November 8, 2022

Scholars at Risk has released Free to Think 2022, a report analysing 391 attacks on higher edudcation in 65 countries.

Two Ukrainian doctors, and sisters, in Bern

October 31, 2022

Antonina and Kateryna Antonenko came to Bern, fleeing the war in Ukraine. The two medical professionals received a grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) to work and research at the Inselspital for one year. In this interview, the two sisters talk about the differences between working as doctors in Bern and Kyiv.

Expanding SAR Switzerland

May 11, 2022

The Swiss Section of SAR prominently featured in the May 2022 SAR Newsletter. With its roots in 2008, when the first higher education institution in Switzerland joined the global SAR network, SAR Switzerland gradually grew in size and strength. The number of at-risk scholars hosted multiplied over the last few years and now stands at close to 120.

Members

Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences

Paul Scherrer Institute

Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology

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.