EPFL

EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) is an internationally top-ranked scientific research and educational institution on the shores of Lake Geneva, Switzerland. As one of two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology, its trajectory over the past four decades is unparalleled—taking the lead in emerging fields of research such as bioengineering and energy/transportation technology, as well as expanding far beyond the Lausanne campus throughout Switzerland with satellite campus in the Cantons of Neuchatel, Valais, Geneva, and Fribourg and international alliances with other world-class universities. The school’s educational and research activities span a large spectrum of science and technology with a focus on life sciences (the Human Brain Project and the Center for Neuroprosthetics), micro-engineering (flying, running, climbing, swarming, and perching robotics), computer and communication science (software and language development, improving communication systems and managing big data), energy technology (solar cells, hydrogen conversion, smart grids and energy management) and basic sciences.

EPFL is distinguished by the quality of its infrastructures, faculty and students. Close collaborations with the nearby CERN and CHUV University Hospital, as well as top faculty promise one of the best educations in Europe and the world. Its close ties to industry, reinforced by the presence of multinationals in the Innovation Park and the start-ups on campus, ensure that research and education at EPFL is in line with the needs of today’s society. Beyond offering world-class administrative and legal support, the campus site is a hub of companies, small and large, where scientific entrepreneurs can explore a number of options to bring their discoveries out of the lab. Over a 100 Start-ups based on research innovations have a home on campus in the EPFL Innovation Park, while large companies such as PSA Peugeot Citroën, Logitech, Nestlé and Credit Suisse are also on campus and able to work directly with EPFL researchers, including PhD and Master students. A dozen start-ups are born each year and numerous patents and industrial agreements continually catalyze the local and national economy while offering students pathways into the highly-end job market.