The spring semester 2022 is coming to an end, the courses will soon finish and the exams are just around the corner. Indeed, a semester like any other. But the spring semester 2022 was not like any other semester. Because after four virtually exclusively digital semesters, life returned to the corridors and lecture halls of the University of Lucerne in the spring semester of 2022. The peace and quiet of the Corona period finally gave way to discussions, debates and conversations. What was initially unusual has now become the norm again. That's a good thing, because even in the digital age, a university still thrives on direct exchange between students, teachers and researchers. Direct contact is a better and more intensive way to argue and debate, to argue and laugh, to test ideas and theories for their plausibility. At the same time, however, the wheel of time should not, cannot and must not simply be turned back. It will now be a question of which insights, experiences and achievements of the Corona era will be adopted into normal everyday university life. Even if we all feel like we have had enough of lectures via livestream and seminar sessions with the owl at the moment, we have to admit that digital methods and tools can certainly complement and enrich traditional teaching methods. Although the spirit of a university continues to be manifested in the face-to-face discussion of opinions, views and positions, we cannot and must not close our minds to digital developments. I look forward to continuing on the University of Lucerne’s path together with you and in this spirit I wish you a good and successful end to the semester.
Best regards,
Prof. Dr. iur. Martina Caroni, Vice Rector for Teaching and International Relations