Strategy

The FHNW presents its “FHNW 2035 Strategy”.

The FHNW 2035 Strategy is the compass bearing which the FHNW intends to follow in the next decade. It forms the basis for the strategies and development plans of the FHNW’s schools, as well as for the performance mandates which the operating cantons have set for the FHNW for 2025–2028, 2029–2032 and 2033–2036.

The FHNW 2035 Strategy consists of the following elements:

• Mission Statement 2035 (vision, culture and values)
• Strategic Objectives
• Strategic Actions

With its 2035 Strategy, the FHNW aims to strengthen its attractiveness and long-term future while contributing to overcoming major societal challenges.

This FHNW 2035 Strategy was drawn up as part of a broad-based process that began in August 2021 at a joint strategy meeting of the University Board and Board of Directors and was fleshed out in various workshops involving members of the FHNW and the Board of Directors. The University Board adopted the 2035 Strategy on 4 December 2023.

Summary Strategy FHNW 2035 (PDF, 670 KB, German)

Summary of the FHNW 2035 Strategy

FHNW Mission Statement 2035

The FHNW Mission Statement 2035 sets out its vision and culture, as well as the corresponding values that guide its actions.

FHNW Vision

Open, dialogical, creative – the FHNW shapes futures

• Open: we are open to ideas, trends and perspectives, different cultures and disciplines, new solutions.
• Dialogical: we engage in a direct, reflective exchange with students, staff, academia, industry and society, and act together in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary manner.
• Creative: we act in a proactive, creative, research-based, empowering, solution-oriented and responsible manner.
• Futures: we deliberately refer to futures rather than the one future. In doing so, we allow for a heterogeneous shaping of our society with diverse forms of knowledge, cultural experiences and development opportunities.

FHNW Culture and Values

• The FHNW empowers people to assume social, economic and cultural responsibility. With its practice-oriented, research-based teaching and applied research and development, the FHNW plays an important role in shaping society and the economy.
• The FHNW sees itself as a presence-based university that consciously relates teaching, research and real-world practice to each other and links them. Presence is manifested in the interaction of people and is expressed through the excellently equipped campus as well as in the virtual realm.
• The staff – the backbone of the FHNW – ensure the quality of its offerings. The FHNW attaches importance to the careful selection and continuous professional development of its staff.
• The FHNW is characterised by its practical relevance and familiarity with all relevant professional fields. It has regional roots and is open to industry, business and society.
• The FHNW acknowledges its special responsibility for solving societal challenges and its role in shaping social change. Sustainability and diversity are central, intertwined issues that the FHNW addresses with knowledge, resources and expertise.
• This explicit multidisciplinarity is of great value and a competitive advantage for the FHNW. As a multidisciplinary university of applied sciences, the FHNW benefits from the diversity of its disciplines in teaching and research.
• The FHNW supports its members in developing intercultural skills and makes its international expertise available to Switzerland’s economy and society.

FHNW Strategic Objectives

The FHNW has the following strategic objectives for 2035:

• Profiling and visibility: the FHNW is a highly regarded university of applied sciences enjoying a strong national reputation and with an international appeal in its disciplines and in socially relevant, future-oriented areas. It is attractive for students, staff and partners.
• Relevantly qualified professionals for the job market: the FHNW makes a significant contribution to the availability of skilled workers. Graduates of the FHNW are relevantly qualified and act responsibly, sustainably, ethically and entrepreneurially.
• Innovation and anticipation: the FHNW is an innovative source of inspiration for solutions to current problems in the economy and society. It is stepping up its research and development activities in order to anticipate and overcome future challenges.
• Attractive employer: the FHNW is an attractive, competitive, sustainable and diversity-friendly employer.
• Campus culture: the FHNW is an inspirational place of encounter and effective interaction.