New Horizons – University of Calgary, FHNW School of Life Sciences

An idea born out of joint international work with QAI Ventures, a hackathon and numerous discussions across continents has led to a partnership with great potential: the FHNW School of Life Sciences (HLS) is now collaborating with the University of Calgary (UCA). In this interview, HLS Director Falko Schlottig explains the origins, aims and next steps of this promising collaboration.

How did the collaboration come about?
The roots lie in the collaboration with QAI Ventures in uptownBasel, and an initial hackathon organised by QAI Ventures with our students in Calgary. “We quickly realised that we’re not only a good fit at Master’s level but also share many complementary research interests – including exciting funding opportunities between Switzerland, Canada and the EU” explains Schlottig.

What makes the partnership so special?
“For us, this is a great opportunity to establish a stronger presence in North America” he says. Until now, such a strategic partnership had been lacking. At the same time, the collaboration fits perfectly with the HLS’s strategic direction. “We can systematically expand our internationalisation in education and research – and do so with a highly renowned university with an active interest in our topics and our industry links.”

How was the collaboration established?
The path to official cooperation involved numerous online meetings and face-to-face meetings – both in Switzerland and in Canada. “We highlighted our strengths and explored together where the greatest opportunities lie.” It wasn’t always easy: “The biggest challenge was finding the right contacts – UCA is about twice the size of ETH Zurich – and coordinating shared time slots.”

How has the exchange been going so far?
The answer is clear: “Very well, intensively and above all, based on trust.” The focus so far has been primarily on student exchanges, common elements in the Master’s programmes, and shared research interests and project ideas. But broader topics have also been discussed – ranging from university culture and research funding to geopolitical issues and knowledge security. The cooperation is supported by, among others, the research promotion departments of both institutions as well as the Swiss Embassy in Canada.

Who is involved on the HLS side?
In addition to members of the university management, several research groups are involved. Student projects and joint project ideas in the fields of water treatment, PFAS, (nano)chemistry, biodiagnostics and medical data are particularly promising.

What does this mean for students?
The collaboration will soon become visible: the first exchange students from Canada are expected at the HLS from May onwards. Whether and to what extent HLS students will be interested in stays in Calgary remains to be seen. One thing is clear however: the opportunities are growing.

What happens next?
The next steps are already planned. A joint online conference is scheduled for the autumn. In parallel, both universities are working on the further development of their Master’s programmes and on initial joint research project proposals.

In addition, the partnership addresses strategic issues such as university development and the use of artificial intelligence in teaching.

With this new partnership, the HLS is opening a new chapter in its internationalisation, creating new opportunities for students and researchers to think globally and drive innovation far beyond national borders.