University of Lucerne and Geneva Graduate Institute to cooperate
The University of Lucerne and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) in Geneva intend to work together. A first step involves the exchange of students and doctoral candidates.
The two institutions signed a cooperation agreement and a student exchange agreement this week. The cooperation agreement sets out the framework for future collaboration in research and teaching. This may include research projects with joint applications to funding institutions, joint publications or the exchange of visiting professors, students and doctoral students. The first outcome of the new collaboration is a Master's and doctoral student exchange, which will be open to two students each academic year from the autumn semester of 2024.
The University of Lucerne has set itself the goal of becoming one of Europe’s leading human sciences universities by 2030. With this in mind, it is seeking to collaborate with other research and teaching institutions specialising in the human sciences. Framework agreements already exist with the European University Institute in Florence and the University of Salamanca.
IHEID, which is based in Geneva, focuses on the humanities and social sciences and has students from over 100 different countries. The institute specialises in teaching and research in the fields of international relations, development issues, global challenges and governance.
Prof. Dr Bruno Staffelbach, Rector of the University of Lucerne, states: "The collaboration is a further step in our efforts to network with other universities specialising in the human sciences. The IHEID with its thematic focus is thus a perfect fit. Both institutions benefit from the mutual exchange. The composition of the student body - international at IHEID and predominantly domestic at the University of Lucerne - also complements each institution perfectly."
Marie-Laure Salles, director of the Geneva Graduate Institute, says: “This new partnership with the University of Lucerne will strengthen the Institute’s academic network within Switzerland and create the opportunity for more students from Swiss universities to join us in Geneva and benefit from the unique teaching, research and expertise ecosystem which the Institute has to offer.”