Robin Steiner studied English and IT at the University of Bern. He went on a volunteering exchange to Staffordshire in the United Kingdom. As for many exchange students, the COVID-19 pandemic made planning and travelling difficult for Robin. His exchange experience turned out to be very different from what he had at first imagined.
On 20 December 2021, UniBE-representatives in the working groups of The Guild held their annual get-together. They shared insights from their discussions with colleagues working at the other 20 universities of The Guild. This event was a welcome occasion to meet six newly-appointed members of The Guild working groups and our two new Vice Rectors, Virginia Richter and Hugues Abriel.
The University of Bern is launching a new funding scheme to finance research stays for PhD students based in Africa. Every year, six students studying at a member university of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) will come to Bern to join a research team and receive tutoring for approximately six months.
On 4 November 2021, the ambassador of South Africa to Switzerland, Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele, is holding a guest lecture on contemporary South Africa. Students and staff at the University of Bern are invited to attend. Registration in advance is required. Please get in touch with Annie Cottier.
The One Health summer school for Bachelor and Master students gave its participants a glimpse into the cutting-edge research conducted at the IRC One Health. As they learned more about the science, they followed the story of a girl that had cancer and examined which factors could explain her mysterious illness.
Professor Richter, you have lived and worked in many different countries, could you please tell us more?
I see myself very much as a European, and all my longer residences were in European countries: Czechoslovakia, where I was born, Germany, where I received my education, Great Britain, where I stayed at different periods of my academic career, and last but not least, Switzerland, where I have been living since my appointment as professor of Modern English Literature in 2007.
Dear researchers,
Horizon Europe started with the ERC in the fast lane with its deadlines for proposals closing before the formal adoption of Horizon Europe by the European Parliament. At the time of the ERC deadlines in April, Switzerland was deemed to become an associated country, like in Horizon 2020.
Where are you from?
My name is Klára, I’m from Prague in the Czech Republic. I study social and cultural anthropology and ethnology at Charles University in Prague. At the University of Bern I study social anthropology.
Why the University of Bern??
The COVID-19 pandemic forced universities to shift to online teaching. The University of Bern is currently trialling virtual exchange seminars, with positive early results. These classes are co-taught online by a member of the University of Bern and a partner university abroad. They provide a space for online learning that combines the best of online teaching and international experiences.
The University of Bern is a member of The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities. The Guild is a network of 21 universities with an excellent research track record, such as the University of Bern. Since Switzerland is currently not associated to Horizon Europe, Guild membership offers a way for the University of Bern to be involved in the making of Europe’s research and education policy.