Digitization: A Challenge for Higher Education Institutions and Disciplines

Since 2016 and in parallel with the Federal Council's "Digital Switzerland" strategy, "digitization" has become a new guiding theme in research, innovation, and higher education policy. Several higher education institutions have formulated strategies and action plans, with many fields launching digitization projects, courses, programs of study, and continuing education initiatives.

The COVID-19 pandemic has once again raised awareness of the digital transformation. The challenges posed by the pandemic have given a strong boost to "distance learning," "online teaching," and internet-based video calling.

CHESS is a part of the efforts to developed empirically-based expertise, particularly on activities within the higher education and science systems in Switzerland through the research project “Digital Strategies:  Universities as drivers and facilitators of digital transformation? “ supported by NRP-77, (click here for more information).

The CHESS offers its expertise and support services to higher education institutions and policymakers. For example, it provides:

• Lectures and presentations for contextualization and to address specific questions
• Analyses of challenges, strategic goals, and actual development dynamics
• Reporting and evaluation at different levels

Please direct inquiries about any of these areas to the office or to Christian Leder.