Welcome words

Most grand challenges our society faces today are complex and call for solutions that are entangled in a manifold of social and technological processes. More than ever, universities are asked to move innovative ideas into society to create impact and find new ways of collaboration with their stakeholders. As Switzerland’s largest comprehensive university, UZH offers the creative and interdisciplinary environment for open innovation.

Open innovation - a practice of collaboration involving different partners in the innovation process – can be a powerful way not only for companies to drive innovation but also for universities. It allows researchers and students to work on novel solutions to real-world problems, be it new technologies, products or services. Integrating expertise, diverse perspectives, creativity, out-of-thebox thinking, and market knowledge can accelerate innovation processes substantially and contribute to more holistic and socially relevant solutions.

Courses like the “UZH Innovathon”, “Wholesome Living” or the “Innovators Camp” are examples of new teaching formats at UZH that focus on problem-based and interdisciplinary approaches involving practice partners. Representatives from business, public sector and non-for-profit organisations provide insights into how these challenges manifest in their organisations. While addressing such real-world challenges, the course participants gain valuable experience in applying problem-solving tools like design thinking and learn about team collaboration as well as project management. Students and young researchers that engage in these courses develop a mindset and the skills needed to succeed in today’s dynamic and rapidly changing work environment.

We would like to express our gratitude to all collaborators who have contributed to the open innovation formats over the last year. We thank our external partners for their support, their willingness to engage with researchers and students, and commitment to drive innovative ideas forward. We thank the innovators and ambassadors at UZH for their inspiration, energy, and passion to strengthen an environment that fosters experimentation, innovative thinking, and entrepreneurship at UZH.

We are delighted to see how the UZH Innovation Hub is evolving and look forward to continuing our work. Let’s bring innovation to life!

VP