The Alumni Advantage

A recent large donation by a Swiss alumnus of Harvard provided some food for thought for those active in Swiss-US science links. When Hans-Jorg Wyss, the founder of Synthes, decided to donate 125 million dollars to establish a new biomedical center, it was another reminder of the vital role that alumni play in sponsoring research and education in the US. At the core of every school experience in the USA is the rite of passage from student to alumnus. Graduation is an entry into a new kind of relationship with the alma mater, that of alumnae or alumnus. The value of an alumni network is essential for major universities that often tap into the rolodex or pockets of their alumni for business connections or donations.

Swiss universities have traditionally shown little interest in maintaining active relationships with their graduates. With a local community serving as the backbone of business connections, there have been few reasons for Swiss alumni to seek specific ties to their classmates.

In the last decade or so, both universities and alumni have become much more active. For example, a few Swiss science leaders such as Patrick Aebischer of EPFL have realized the value of connecting alumni with visionary projects. Also, the growing mobility of students and young professionals, combined with the power of online networks, has created new ways for Swiss alumni to connect abroad.

The US-wide email list called Swiss List (www.swiss-list.com) was an early example of an open network where Swiss-related students and professionals could discuss anything from the administrative steps to relocate to the US to career information and job offers. Christian Simm, the director of Swissnex San Francisco, also started an alumni directory under the name Swiss Talents (www.swisstalents.org). These web sites help develop a critical mass in various cities where Swiss alumni meetings are now taking place regularly. The best organized alumni clubs seem to be the ones of University of St-Gallen and EPFL/ETHZ (under the name A3SFIT). In Boston and San Francisco, these young talents are part of the community of Swissnex, the Swiss Knowledge Network, where they often participate to discussion and connect to potential collaborators or employers.

Even if, for now, Swiss universities have not yet fully deployed international alumni strategies, we might see EPFL or University of Geneva clubs emerge in the future in large cities abroad, where alumni will meet and discuss how they can help develop the next generation of leaders.