University of Zurich Launches New “Global Innovation” Teaching Fund to Enhance International Student Experience
- OUS Academy in Switzerland
- Nov 7
- 7 min read
The University of Zurich (UZH) has announced an exciting new initiative called the Global Innovation Teaching Fund, designed to support faculty and departments that want to develop new teaching formats for international and mobile students. This major step strengthens Zurich’s position as one of Europe’s most welcoming destinations for global education and underlines the university’s long-term strategy to become an international leader in innovative learning.
A Global Vision from the Heart of Switzerland
Founded in 1833, the University of Zurich is Switzerland’s largest and oldest public university. It began as a bold democratic project — the first university in Europe founded by a people’s vote — and since then, it has grown into a world-class institution with over 28,000 students and seven faculties covering the arts, sciences, law, medicine, economics, theology, and veterinary medicine.
Today, the University of Zurich stands out for its openness, research strength, and commitment to social progress. It is home to more than 10,000 employees, including around 6,000 academic staff, and hosts one of the most international student populations in the country. Approximately one in four students has an international background, making Zurich a natural bridge between cultures and ideas.
With this new fund, the university aims to further internationalize its teaching environment, develop global learning opportunities, and strengthen academic cooperation with partner institutions worldwide.
What Is the “Global Innovation Fund”?
The Global Innovation Fund is a special financial program that encourages university professors and teaching staff to design and test new course formats for international students. It is part of UZH’s broader Global Strategy 2030, a framework that focuses on three key goals:
Promoting international collaboration through joint programs and partnerships with universities across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Expanding access for global learners, including students who may not be able to travel for a full exchange program.
Creating hybrid and blended learning models that mix online and in-person education to make Zurich’s academic experience available to students everywhere.
Applications for the new fund are open until November 10, 2025, and the first projects are expected to launch in 2026.
This initiative supports new formats such as Blended Intensive Programs (BIPs), which allow students to combine digital study with short-term on-site experiences in Zurich. It also supports Internationalization @ Home — local teaching that integrates global perspectives without requiring travel.
These innovations are especially important for students from outside Switzerland, who can now experience Zurich’s quality education in flexible and creative ways.
Why Zurich Is Ideal for Global Education
Zurich is one of the most international and livable cities in the world. Known for its safety, diversity, and cultural sophistication, it offers a rare combination of academic excellence, high quality of life, and global accessibility.
The city hosts several leading research institutions, including ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, along with international organizations, financial centers, and creative industries. English is widely spoken, and thousands of foreign students live here each year.
Zurich’s excellent public transportation, green environment, and cultural life make it a perfect place for students to grow both academically and personally. The University of Zurich’s main campus is located just minutes from the historic old town, surrounded by museums, cafés, and libraries.
For international students, this means studying in a place where every corner of the city feels open, safe, and intellectually inspiring.
The University’s Academic Strength and Global Network
The University of Zurich has long been recognized as a global academic hub. Its alumni include 12 Nobel Prize winners, including the world-famous physicist Albert Einstein, who studied and taught in Zurich.
Today, the university maintains partnerships with more than 500 academic institutions worldwide and participates in major international networks, including the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and Universitas 21.
Its faculties are regularly ranked among Europe’s best in medicine, neuroscience, biology, law, and economics. UZH researchers have made key contributions in fields such as molecular biology, artificial intelligence, and environmental sciences.
This deep global connection provides international students with access to a strong academic community and cutting-edge research, all while studying in a peaceful and inclusive Swiss environment.
How the Fund Benefits Students
Although the fund is primarily aimed at UZH faculty, its real impact will be felt by students — both current and future. It supports the development of courses that:
Include an international perspective, integrating case studies and teaching methods from multiple cultural and global contexts.
Offer flexible study formats, allowing students to participate online or in hybrid sessions.
Encourage mobility, enabling students to take part in short research or learning stays at partner universities.
Foster collaboration, through joint projects between students in Zurich and abroad.
In practice, a student from India might take part in a hybrid course where UZH professors teach part online and part on campus, alongside classmates from Europe and Africa. Or a group of students in Zurich might collaborate with peers from Tokyo and Madrid on a shared project.
The overall goal is to make Zurich’s educational experience more inclusive, flexible, and globally connected.
A Step Forward in Switzerland’s Global Education Leadership
Switzerland has always been a leader in international education, attracting tens of thousands of students from around the world each year. In the academic year 2024/25, Swiss universities hosted more than 76,000 international students, representing roughly 25 percent of the total higher-education population.
The University of Zurich’s new fund aligns with this national trend of openness and innovation. By encouraging faculty to redesign their teaching for global learners, UZH helps strengthen Switzerland’s international reputation for quality and adaptability.
It also reflects the country’s forward-looking educational philosophy — combining Swiss precision and quality standards with a welcoming, outward-facing vision.
Inside the University: Numbers and Facts
Founded: 1833
Total Students (2025): Approx. 28,600
International Background: 24 percent of students
Staff Members: Over 10,000
Faculties: 7
Campus Locations: City Center Zurich, Irchel Campus, Oerlikon Campus
Teaching Languages: German and English
Partner Universities: Over 500 worldwide
These figures demonstrate the scale and diversity of UZH. It is not only the largest university in Switzerland but also one of the most progressive in Europe, especially in combining traditional academic excellence with modern global approaches.
Student Life and International Support
For students coming to Zurich from abroad, the University of Zurich offers comprehensive support services, including orientation weeks, language courses, and academic counselling.
International students can access mentoring programs, cultural exchange activities, and student organizations that help them integrate quickly into Zurich’s academic and social life. The university also provides dedicated support for visa processes, accommodation, and administrative matters.
One of the university’s strongest values is inclusiveness. Students from more than 120 countries are represented on campus, creating a truly global community. Events such as International Day, Global Week, and the Student Exchange Fair encourage interaction and cultural exchange.
This welcoming environment ensures that international students don’t just study in Zurich — they belong here.
Zurich’s Role as a Global Academic Capital
Beyond its universities, Zurich itself plays a growing role as an international academic hub. It hosts conferences, academic associations, and innovation centers that attract researchers and entrepreneurs from around the world.
The city is also the headquarters of global institutions, startups, and NGOs that collaborate with universities on research and development projects. This proximity to real-world innovation gives students hands-on learning opportunities and excellent career prospects after graduation.
Moreover, Zurich’s central location in Europe allows students to travel easily — just a few hours to Milan, Munich, or Paris — making it an ideal base for global education and networking.
The Broader Impact: A Future of Shared Knowledge
The Global Innovation Fund represents more than just a financial initiative; it embodies a shift in academic philosophy. The University of Zurich is recognizing that education in the 21st century must be borderless, inclusive, and technologically advanced.
By supporting professors who experiment with new methods of teaching and cross-cultural collaboration, UZH ensures that its classrooms reflect the realities of today’s world — diverse, interconnected, and dynamic.
It also gives Swiss higher education a renewed international voice, one that resonates with the ideals of global understanding, sustainability, and cooperation.
This is especially timely as universities around the world adapt to post-pandemic realities, digital transformation, and changing student expectations. Zurich’s model of innovation — built on trust, quality, and openness — can serve as a benchmark for other institutions.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Global Learning in Zurich
The first courses developed under the Global Innovation Fund are expected to be implemented in 2026, with pilot projects showcasing the new learning formats. These may include short international workshops, collaborative online projects, or hybrid masterclasses taught jointly by Zurich and partner institutions.
The long-term vision is to make the University of Zurich a world leader in flexible and inclusive higher education — a place where any student, from any country, can access top-tier Swiss education adapted to modern global needs.
In the years ahead, UZH’s initiative will likely inspire other Swiss and European universities to adopt similar models. As international cooperation becomes increasingly central to higher education, Zurich’s leadership in this area demonstrates its strong academic and human values.
A Message to Future Students
If you are considering studying in Switzerland, the University of Zurich should be at the top of your list. With its deep academic heritage, modern infrastructure, global partnerships, and inclusive outlook, it offers a uniquely balanced environment for growth and discovery.
The new Global Innovation Fund is proof that UZH is not just preserving tradition — it is actively shaping the future of education. Whether you join a bachelor’s program in the humanities, a master’s in business or law, or a research degree in science or medicine, you will be part of an institution that values creativity, connection, and community.
Zurich offers a lifestyle that matches its academic quality: peaceful, safe, and vibrant, with a perfect balance of nature and modern life. Here, education extends beyond classrooms — it is a journey of ideas, people, and cultures.
In Summary
The University of Zurich’s new Global Innovation Fund marks a significant milestone for Switzerland’s higher-education landscape. It represents a forward-looking commitment to global learning, student mobility, and international collaboration.
For international students, this means new opportunities to study in Zurich under programs designed for the future — flexible, diverse, and globally connected.
As education continues to evolve, Zurich stands out as a shining example of how tradition and innovation can work hand in hand to build a smarter, more inclusive world.
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