| Applied Research & Development in the UASs
The Universities of Applied Sciences are practically-oriented education and research establishments. Two priorities are defined in accordance with the “Master plan for the Universities of Applied Sciences 2004-2007”: the guarantee of a high quality education and the development of applied research and development. This specific mission for Universities of Applied Sciences has led the HES-SO to work closely with organisations in the academic and economic spheres. |
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| Applied research and fundamental research
According to the reference document by the Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences, in Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences, applied research and development (AR&D) is used to designate all activities which have as their main aim:
- The production of new knowledge
- The combination of different aspects of existing knowledge
New knowledge discovered may be very quickly valorised in academic or practical environments.
Fundamental research is used to designate research, in any discipline, which does not have an ultimate economic aim specified at the time the work is undertaken. It is generally in contrast to applied research, although the boundary between the two types of research is sometimes difficult to determine, as often, research undertaken within the scope of an application, sometimes in partnership with companies, may have fundamental implications – or researchers involved in a project may undertake directly application-related research, while carrying out more fundamental research in the same subject. |
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Organisation of AR&D
The choice and strategic operation of AR&D projects are derived from an analysis of the needs expressed by the economy and private or public institutions and their complementarity with national and international programmes. The location of the HES-SO throughout the regions of Western Switzerland (38 subject-related sites spread over several cantons) means work based on a sound networking system.
AR&D is therefore organised using two types of structure: the research institutes (by site), and CALLs.
Research activities are the subject of objective agreements between the cantonal or inter-cantonal establishments and the HES-SO and between the networks of excellence and the HES-SO.
The research axes vary widely, as each of the six fields of study connected with the education provided by the HES-SO is involved in applied research and development.
The fields in question are:
- Engineering and Architecture
- Business, Management and Services
- Health
- Social Work
- Music and Theater
- Design and Fine Arts
The HES-SO networks enable it to coordinate and validate the various research programmes and ensure the general coherence of its academic activities.
The launch of long-term CALL programmes enables institutes and networks of excellence to form consortiums to respond to these calls. In addition, the HES-SO is associated with national networks of excellence and contributes to numerous international projects. Finally, thanks to its collaboration with the Alliance consortium, the HES-SO has joined forces with the EPFL and the universities of French-speaking Switzerland to respond efficiently to the needs of companies. |
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| Financing
The sources of finance vary widely, and can be divided into four categories: HES-SO sources, national sources (CTI, Swiss National Science Foundation), European sources (European framework programmes) and private funds (the economy).
HES-SO sources
The HES-SO has a “strategic fund” intended for the financing of AR&D activities. Its current reserves stand at around CHF 25 million. In the early stages, this fund enabled the initiation of research at the HES-SO. At present, it mainly finances projects in line with the strategic directions of the networks of excellence. It also finances the “foundation level” of AR&D activities in the cantonal establishments, the functioning of the networks of excellence of the HES-SO (RCSO) and contributes to the financing of the national networks of excellence (RCN).
National sources
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), the Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI) and the Do Research (DoRe) programme offer research financing, sourced from the Swiss Confederation.
European sources
These funds are allocated mainly within the scope of European Union framework programmes administered by Euresearch. Participation in these programmes brings dual benefits: the international dimension and the fact that the two essential partners, universities and industries, receive grants for research projects carried out together. |
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| Partnership
The HES-SO undertakes research projects with a wide range of partners. These include research centres, universities in Switzerland or abroad, and public or private institutions. There are many collaborations with SMEs, while the AR&D activities of the UASs also extend to certain aspects of industrial-scale production. This distinguishes them from the universities and Swiss federal institutes of technology, which essentially operate in the field of fundamental research. Partnerships with businesses and/or institutions are undertaken in three possible ways:
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Valorisation
Valorisation is a form of “accounting for” the results of AR&D projects. It is essential for increasing the visibility of products created (products, tools, processes and services) and upgrading the education of the institutions concerned.
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