Leading House Asia Pacific

We are happy to assist you with any questions related to Leading House Asia-Pacific activities. The previous Leading House Asia website, hosted by ETH Zurich, remains accessible for reference. You can also find additional information on international funding opportunities on the websites of SERI and SNSF.

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As Leading House, UZH will provide targeted support for Swiss researchers to engage in collaborative projects with academic and industry partners based in: Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN member states (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam).

Learn more about current seed funding opportunities with partners across the Asia–Pacific region.

The President of the University of Zurich (UZH) Michael Schaepman and UZH Global Affairs hosted the Ambassador of Australia to Switzerland, Elizabeth Day, for an exchange on potential research collaboration between Australia and Switzerland.

UZH researchers and Japanese experts came together last week to seek answers to one of our era's most pressing questions: “How do we ensure AI serves humanity?” In two events co-organized by UZH, at the Swiss Embassy in Tokyo and in the Swiss Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, researchers, policymakers, and industry experts gathered to exchange on how AI is reshaping society, how best to govern its use, and the importance of cross-cultural and cross-sector exchange.

In 2023, Switzerland and the Republic of Korea celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations, marking a milestone in a partnership built on respect, innovation and collaboration. The Swiss education, research and innovation sector is closely linked with that of Korea through joint projects and annual exchange platforms such as the Swiss-Korean Innovation Week. Building on this momentum, a UZH delegation visited Korea to strengthen ties and explore new opportunities.

The University of Zurich (UZH) is bringing Vietnam’s spice-growing highlands to Switzerland'. Through its latest exhibition "Symphởny of Spices – Vietnamese Roots, Global Routes" at the Ethnographic Museum, UZH showcases how cinnamon, star anise, and cardamon travel from local farms to global kitchens, highlighting research, cultural exchange, and international collaboration.

On Friday, 11 July, the University of Zurich welcomed a delegation from the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Centre for China Analysis (CCA). The delegation was led by the Co-Founder and Managing Director of the CCA Jing Qian, and included Jennifer Choo, Lyle Morris, Niel Thomas, and Inger Marie Rossing. Supported by Asia Society Switzerland, the visit included open discussions on key topics such as knowledge security as well as the opportunities and the challenges for cooperation.

On 1 July 2025, the University of Zurich's Digital Society Initiative (DSI) and Global Affairs welcomed a high-level South Korean delegation as part of their international study tour on research integrity, cybersecurity, and science policy. The visit fostered exchange on digital ethics, digital governance, cybersecurity, and future collaboration, including new opportunities under UZH’s mandate as the Leading House Asia Pacific.

The 2025 Swiss-Korean Innovation Week, hosted by the Swiss Embassy in the Republic of Korea, brought together leading experts from both countries to explore “Human Augmentation” - the technological and ethical dimensions of enhancing human capabilities. The University of Zurich (UZH) was represented by Nikola Biller-Andorno and Birgit Kleim, who shared their insights during the event.

As Korea and Switzerland continue to strengthen their cooperation in research and education, a recent visit by the Korean Ambassador to the University of Zurich (UZH) highlighted shared interests and potential areas for deeper collaboration. From digitalization and life sciences to Korean art and student mobility UZH plays an active role in supporting academic ties with Korea.

Christian Schwarzenegger, Vice President of the University of Zurich (UZH), has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government. This honor recognizes his commitment to academic exchange and cultural understanding between Japan and Switzerland. The award was presented on 27 February 2025 at UZH.

The University of Zurich (UZH) welcomed Elizabeth Day, the Australian Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, in a visit that highlighted the strong ties between Switzerland and Australia’s higher education landscape, championed by the strategic partnership between UZH and the University of Queensland (UQ). Ambassador Day's visit marks a continued commitment to cross-border cooperation in research and education.

UZH and Asia Society Switzerland hosted the second State of Asia Address in the historic UZH Aula Magna. Adam Tooze, Professor at the Columbia University, leading thinker and author of several renowned books, delivered a broad assessment on the key issues and challenges facing Asia today, provided a view into the future of the region, and analyzed the implications of the U.S. election results for Asia.