Chair of Education Systems

Startseite
Schweiz
Zürich
Chair of Education Systems

The Chair of Education Systems (CES) conducts highly relevant theoretical, empirical and translational research. We teach

Our aim is to generate meaningful research that has an impact on the education and employment systems of countries around the world.

13/05/2026

🇸🇰 Shaping the future of vocational education together.
On 23 April, our team had the privilege of joining inspiring discussions in Bratislava on the future of dual vocational education and training (VET), lifelong learning, and innovation in skills development. 🎓🤝
Together with representatives from ministries, industry, and education, we officially launched the Capacity Accelerator: Building Capacity in VPET for the Next Generation of Slovak Reform Leaders.
With more than 60 participants, the kick-off workshop created a dynamic space for collaboration, fresh perspectives, and meaningful dialogue on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of VPET in Slovakia. 🚀
A sincere thank you to all partners, speakers, and participants for your engagement and contributions. We look forward to the ideas, progress, and impact that will emerge in the months ahead. 🌍✨

23/04/2026

Big moment at ETH Zurich 🎓✨

Our apprentice Eric Lötscher had the unique opportunity to interview Spencer J. Cox during his official visit with a delegation from Utah 🇺🇸

From discussions on education systems to innovation and AI, this exchange showcased the power of young voices in shaping the future.

Proud to see our apprentices stepping up and engaging on an international stage 👏

19/03/2026

Young graduates often face difficulties entering the labour market despite holding a university degree. During the latest SRF Impact shoot at ETH Zürich, Lena Dändliker, Head of the Swiss Education Lab, shared insights into the current challenges graduates encounter when transitioning from education to employment.

In today’s rapidly evolving working environment, employers increasingly emphasize soft skills such as flexibility, resilience, and teamwork. At the same time, practical experience plays a decisive role, as companies frequently face uncertainty about which technologies and tools will shape the future workplace.

This is where vocational education and training (VET) demonstrates a relative advantage. By combining education with structured workplace training, learners acquire labour-market-relevant competencies from the beginning. Thanks to the permeability of the Swiss education system, vocational pathways also keep opportunities for higher education open.

We were pleased to be present during the filming of this important report and thank the SRF News- Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen Impact team for the engaging exchange and the opportunity to contribute to the discussion on education and the future of work.

🔗 Full report: https://www.srf.ch/sendungen/dok/kein-job-trotz-studium-bachelor-master-und-dann-arbeitslos

17/03/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Amela Zubovic on her successful PhD defense! 🎓

Her dissertation in applied economics, supervised by Prof. Dr. Ursula Renold and Dr. Katie Caves, uses survey experiments to study decision making and preferences.

We are very proud and wish her all the best for the next steps in her career. 🚀

03/02/2026

How ready is Nepal’s TVET system for the next phase of reform?

This explainer video summarises new evidence from a nationwide survey of all CTEVT constituent and affiliated schools, conducted in the context of Nepal’s federalisation process. It highlights key structural patterns and reform challenges related to regional access, programme concentration, funding structures, instructor profiles, and readiness for the new accreditation system.

📄 Read the full paper here: https://www.research-collection.ethz.ch/entities/publication/7c4bf4f2-0ba1-4fc7-abdf-873d0b857852

Kathmandu University School of Education Swisscontact Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training - CTEVT Swiss Development & Cooperation शिक्षा, विज्ञान तथा प्रविधि मन्त्रालय

09/01/2026

The devastating events in Crans-Montana on January 1, 2026, have deeply affected us. Our thoughts and sincere compassion are with the victims, their loved ones, and all those impacted by this tragedy.

In this difficult time, we express our quiet solidarity and care. We thank the emergency, response, and medical teams for their extraordinary dedication and humanity.

___________________________________________

Les événements bouleversants de Crans-Montana du 1er janvier 2026 nous ont profondément touchés. Nos pensées et notre sincère compassion vont aux victimes, à leurs proches ainsi qu’à toutes les personnes affectées par cette tragédie.

En ces moments difficiles, nous exprimons notre profonde solidarité. Nous remercions les équipes de secours, d’intervention et médicales pour leur engagement remarquable et leur humanité.

01/12/2025

How do gendered STEM images influence students’ perceptions of STEM careers?

Our latest CES study by Amela Zubovic, Patrick McDonald and Lena Dändliker provides experimental evidence from Swiss primary and lower secondary schools.

Using AI generated visual vignettes across eight STEM occupations, the study shows that female representations clearly increase STEM aspirations among primary school girls. In adolescence, this effect becomes much weaker, while boys’ evaluations show no meaningful response to gendered representations at either age.

The results also reveal clear and occupation specific gender differences that already appear in childhood and grow stronger with age. These patterns mirror later labour market trends and show that simple visual cues in learning materials can strengthen girls’ engagement in STEM, especially in the early years.

➡️Full report: https://www.research-collection.ethz.ch/entities/publication/da78857f-3237-454c-a705-27169369eb74

24/11/2025

We are proud that our apprentice Eric Lötscher, Mediamatician in training (Lernender Mediamatiker EFZ) and member of the VET Mediamatician team at ETH Zurich, represented our institution at this year’s Zurich Career Fair ( ).

Eric demonstrated with great professionalism and enthusiasm what modern VET training at ETH looks like - from creative media production to digital communication and user-centred design. Events like this provide an invaluable platform for young professionals to engage with future learners, gain visibility and show how diverse and forward-looking the Mediamatician profession has become.

Congratulations, Eric, on your strong presence at the fair. We are delighted to see your skills and confidence grow and are proud to support your journey within Switzerland’s VET system.

19/11/2025

Eröffnung der Berufsmesse Zürich 2025 () 🎉

Opening of the Zurich 2025 Career Fair.

14/11/2025

How can vocational and professional education systems respond to fast changing labour market needs?

Our CES team visited Bratislava for the second time within the Swiss Slovak Cooperation Program to work with the Slovak National Institute for Vocational Education (ŠIOV). Together we explored how to strengthen the connection between VET, PET and the labour market.

On the first day we discussed the role of employer engagement and why active involvement from companies is essential for the success of professional and vocational pathways in Slovakia.

On the second day we jointly outlined the critical steps for future development and implementation. Prof. Dr. Ursula Renold, Amela Zubovic, Ditjola Naço and Michelle Augustine Palayil contributed to the workshop with presentations and discussions.

A short report was also broadcast on RTVS :24 in the Aktuálne programme.

We look forward to working together with Slovakia on the next steps. 🚀

Štátny inštitút odborného vzdelávania

Adresse

STB J 16, Stampfenbachstrasse 69
Zürich
8092

Webseite

https://ces.ethz.ch/

Benachrichtigungen

Lassen Sie sich von uns eine E-Mail senden und seien Sie der erste der Neuigkeiten und Aktionen von Chair of Education Systems erfährt. Ihre E-Mail-Adresse wird nicht für andere Zwecke verwendet und Sie können sich jederzeit abmelden.

Verknüpfungen

Wollen Sie Ihr Universität zum Top-Universität in Zürich machen?