The greater Lake Geneva Region is a global centre of research and innovation. Many outstanding universities and public research institutions are established in the region, along with a diverse range of major global companies such as Tetra Laval, Nestlé, Kudelski, Logitech, Medtronic and New Bobst Group. They all take advantage of the region’s pioneering spirit and its historic role as an economic and technical crossroads.

In the realm of public science, Lausanne itself is home to two outstanding universities, both partners of WCSJ2019: the Université de Lausanne (UNIL) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL). These are leading universities in a wide range of research fields such as networks, neurosciences, infrastructures, micro- and nanotechnologies, biotechnology, information and communication technologies, transport and energy. EPFL has achieved particular attention through its involvement with several emblematic projects such as Breitling Orbiter 3, Alinghi, Hydroptère, Solar Impulse and the European Human Brain Project.
 

One of the liveliest academic campuses in Europe

UNIL and EPFL, separate at the time the latter was created, have come together to form one the liveliest academic campuses in Europe, with some of the best technological infrastructure. With over 24 000 students, a large number coming from beyond Switzerland and representing 120 nationalities, numerous laboratories, many multinationals and dozens of start-ups sharing a common spirit of enquiry at the campus’s science park, the campus fosters the close collaboration of scientists of different fields in a natural and fruitful way.

Unique architecture and innovative technologies characterise the SwissTech Convention Center (see next chapter): just one of the newly constructed iconic buildings on the campus. Others include the renowned Rolex Learning Center, designed by the internationally acclaimed Japanese architectural practice, SANAA, and the ArtLab, a 250-metre long building with three pavilions dedicated to the intersection of science, arts and culture. The ArtLab includes a Montreux Jazz Café, showcasing the audiovisual archives of the famous music festival.

 

World-leading research facilities

More eminent scientific institutions are located in nearby Geneva, among them the two WCSJ2019 partners, the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and CERN. The latter is not only famous for its cutting edge research on antimatter and particle physics at the Large Hadron Collider, it’s also the birthplace of the World Wide Web, which was invented there in 1989.

Just a little further afield, in nearby France, there’s an extremely rich and diverse abundance of world-leading public research facilities, universities and research driven companies. They all make the Lake Geneva Region a worldwide hub for excellence in science and technology, and an ideal location for a conference like the WCSJ2019.