The HES-SO Valais-Wallis School of Engineering (HEI) is unveiling a major change in the way it promotes its educational offerings and research and innovation skills in the life sciences sector. Over the past few years, the Swiss biopharmaceutical and food industries have undergone a rapid shift towards life sciences. Driven by innovation, collaboration and a commitment to health, wellbeing and sustainability, a number of partner companies of the Swiss College of Engineering, such as Debiopharm and Lonza, have massively expanded these business areas to meet the needs of the economy.
In view of these developments and the latest technological advances, the Bachelor of Science HES-SO in Life Technologies (TEVI) program has undertaken an innovative redesign of its curriculum, focusing on the needs of industry and offering a stimulating student experience. To communicate this substantial evolution, it has decided to adopt a name that better reflects its mission and ambitions. The TEVI program has now been renamed Bachelor of Science HES-SO in Life Sciences Engineering. This decision marks a significant step in the evolution of the program and its research institute. “The Life Sciences sector is a driving force behind Switzerland’s prosperity. It is therefore essential to have a strong university that trains excellent engineers and generates innovation in this key field, in close liaison with the economy,” asserts HEI Director Gaëtan Cherix.
The HES-SO Valais-Wallis School of Engineering is one of only three schools in Switzerland (and the only one in French-speaking Switzerland) to offer postgraduate studies in life sciences engineering, with specializations in biotechnology, analytical chemistry and bioanalytics, and food technology and biotechnology.
Growth of a unique program in French-speaking Switzerland
The Life Science Engineering program has become a major reference in the Swiss academic landscape. This initiative testifies to HEI’s ongoing commitment to meeting the growing needs of the rapidly expanding Life Sciences sector. “I’ve been in charge of the program for the past 3 years, and I’ve discovered a very dynamic and innovative team, which has enabled us to develop the curriculum considerably. Our enrolment has grown by around 40% in 3 years, with a total of 200 students. A study program close to industrial reality, combined with our new state-of-the-art campus, offers a unique experience for these future engineers,” explains Birgit Sievert, head of the study program.The name “Life Sciences Engineering” was chosen for both the German- and English-language versions of the course name and its research institute.
A stronger Valais history
The Life Sciences research institute is now positioned as a center of excellence in this field, with international flagship projects in cutting-edge areas such as meat substitutes, bio-pharmaceutical innovations, bioplastics, decarbonization through biotechnology and artificial intelligence in Life Sciences. This new positioning in Life Sciences Engineering underlines the commitment of the School of Engineering, and of Valais industry, to promoting innovation and meeting future challenges in this strategic field.
For Sergio Schmid, Head of the Life Sciences Institute, “the research institute plays a crucial role in the development of our region, driving innovation, generating knowledge and strengthening the economy. Thanks to our applied research, we are closely linked to industry and work directly on current challenges and needs, enabling us to be at the heart of industry.”
Nearly 200 applied research projects are carried out every year in the fields of pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, the environment, biotechnology, diagnostics, food science and chemistry.
Next steps and outlook
This decision, approved by the Rectorate (or Government Committee) of the HES-SO, opens up new prospects for the program and its research institute. The new orientation names reflect the HES-SO Valais-Wallis School of Engineering’s determination to train highly qualified professionals ready to take on the complex challenges of the life sciences. By adopting this new name, the School of Engineering of the HES-SO Valais-Wallis affirms its commitment to playing a leading role in the development of life sciences, and to training a highly qualified next generation of engineers.
Source: Press release HES-SO Valais-Wallis
