When I came to Zurich for my PhD studies, I felt very much at home here – ETH Zurich had a great reputation and was doing research in the areas that interested me. Today, I continue to encounter many people from ETH and I remain closely connected to it in different areas. This includes hiring ETH graduates, collaborating with ETH professors, investing as a business angel in ETH spin-offs, participating as a speaker and moderator at ETH events, and as a member of the ETH Big Band, which is very dear to my heart.

The many great spin-offs that ETH produces every year are important to get the research out of the labs and create innovative products, services and businesses that have a real impact on our lives. ETH could probably do more to foster synergies between university and industry. For example, I strongly believe that the dialogue started between ETH and ETH Circle, which includes engaged alumni and other friends of the institution, may become the nucleus of a very strong innovation ecosystem of researchers, spin-offs, investors and business leaders who are eager to collaborate, mentor, run pilot projects, provide access to their personal network, or help with various other aspects of creating and operating a business. At the same time, ETH researchers and teachers may also benefit from getting a deeper understanding of the issues industries face to influence the applied parts of their research agendas and their teaching curricula.

I believe that ETH is selling itself short in terms of branding and how it engages with and mobilizes its alumni, especially compared to other academic institutions – even much lesser known places. ETH alumni play important roles in academia, business and society, worldwide. Despite the likeable ETH understatement, we should share their achievements more actively and – why not – even show some pride to have shared the same alma mater.

In a world where technology is driving and transforming everything, ETH is critically important as a source of innovation and talent for our society and economy. ETH Circle and ETH’s alumni have the potential to amplify that impact. I would like to work with ETH Circle and its members to help advance this cause and transfer that message.