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| 1. LOGISTICS |
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The
international hub
Western Switzerland has excellent links by road, by
train and by air with the other parts of the country,
with Europe and the world, and last but not least within
its own area. Distances in Switzerland are small (350
km East/West and 250 km North/South). Transport infrastructure
is modern and efficient and thus the travel time short.
Road
A widespread road network secures the contact within
Switzerland. Our motorways are connecting Western Switzerland
not only with the other important cities of the country,
but also with the motorway systems of neighbouring France,
Germany, Italy and Austria.
Train
Europe and Switzerland can rely on a dense and modern
railway network. Switzerland's trains are known for
their punctuality and frequency, i.e. with hourly connections
for all major destinations.
Lausanne, Sion, and Neuchâtel offer direct international
high speed (TGV) connections.
| Examples |
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The following
examples of necessary train travel time shall furnish
evidence and illustration of excellent logistics:
Switzerland
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from
Lausanne |
from
Sion |
from
Neuchâtel |
from Delemont |
to
Bâle
to Berne
to
Geneva
to Zurich |
2
h 08 min.
1 h 07 min.
34 min.
2 h 20 min. |
3
h 21 min.
2 h 14 min.
1 h 43 min.
3 h 27 min. |
1
h 27 min.
37 min.
1 h 15 min.
1 h 45 min. |
30 min.
1 h 06 min.
2 h 05 min.
1 h 35 min. |
Europe
to Francfort,
Milan, Paris about 4 h from Lausanne, from Sion, from Neuchâtel and from Delemont.
Travel time by road is similar to the train except
for the high speed railway connections reducing
the train travel time.
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Air
Geneva airport is Western Switzerland's hub for air
travelling. Being Switzerland's most international city,
Geneva offers a big number of air connections for all
continents. All European capitals and primary cities
can be reached in one to two hours. Geneva is also efficiently
linked with the Zurich international airport.
Western Switzerland has several modernly equipped air
fields to accommodate business planes, in particular
Lausanne-Blécherette, Payerne, Yverdon-les-Bains,
Sion, Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Tax-Free
Areas
Being an exporter par excellence, Western Switzerland
has created several efficient tax-free areas. Such an
area is a logistics services center where goods can
be stored, packaged, rearranged in different sizes,
labelled and shipped with no taxes or fees, and with
customs exempt entry into and departure from the area.
The custom clearance is particularly simplified and
handled according to TEI-90 procedures.
| Additionally the
tax-free areas usually also provide the following
services: |
- Logistics consulting service
- Import-Export
- Customs agency
- Management and storage
- Consignment
- Air/maritime freight
- Road/rail transport
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| The most important
tax-free areas are |
- Lausanne, Chavornay and Vevey
- Neuchâtel and Le Locle
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| SWITZERLAND |
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WESTERN
SWITZERLAND |
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| 2.
EDUCATION, UNIVERSITIES AND R&D |
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Switzerland
is known worldwide for its excellent education system,
which is perfectly suited to the demands of a globalizing
economy.
| A. The
Public Education System |
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Mandatory
Public Education
Switzerland requires 9 years of education: 4 or
5 years of primary schooling, followed by 5 or
4 years of secondary schooling.
Since the cantonal government handles public
education, there may be slight differences between
the Vaud and Neuchâtel systems.
Optional Education:
Pre-University Schools
After completing 9 years of mandatory education,
a Swiss student may choose to follow a practical
curriculum and apprenticeship or an academic program
of study.
| Apprenticeship
Federal Certificate of Capabilities, or
CFC
High
School ("College")
Federal Diploma
Business
School
Business Diploma
Technical
School
Professional Diploma
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3-4 years
3-4 years
3-4 years
3-4 years
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An additional year of coursework enables students
with a CFC to take the Professional Diploma exams,
required for access to the Specialized Higher
Education (or HES) system for a university degree.
University
Education
The University
of Neuchatel and the University
of Lausanne offer all disciplines of university
study.
The Federal
Institute of Technology of Lausanne, or
EPFL,
whose sister school is in Zurich, is the only
federal educational institution in the region.
The EPFL is home to numerous world-renowned specialized
programs, particularly in medical engineering
and nanotechnology.
The Universities
of Applied Sciences, or HES,
are professional universities consisting of studies
in specific disciplines.
The following HES schools in Western Switzerland
offer a university-level professional education:
Engineering
School of Vaud in Yverdon-les-Bains (trains
engineers in all technical disciplines)
Engineering
School of Neuchatel, or EICN,
in Le Locle (trains mechanical, microtechnology,
and electrical engineers)
Interprofessional
Center in Neuchatel
Higher Education
School of Management in Lausanne
Higher Education
Schools of the Arts in Lausanne, Bussigny
and La Chaux-de-Fonds
High Data
processing school of management HEVs in Sierre
High School
in engineerings HEVs in Sion
High School
in pedagogy in Saint-Maurice
Hotel and Restaurant
Management School in Lausanne
Agricultural
Engineering School of Changins
Teaching School
(HEP-BEJUNE) in Porrentruy
School of
Care Male nurses in Delemont
Research
and Post-graduate Education
The region has a number of post-graduate and research
institutions. In addition to the previously mentioned
universities and the Federal Institute of Technology
of Lausanne, a number of private and/or public
institutions exist, including:
Swiss Center
for Electronics and Microtechnology, or CSEM,
in Neuchâtel and the Institute of Microtechnology
of the University of Neuchâtel (IMT)
that link university and industry efforts to develop
industrial applications through research partnerships
in microtechnology.
Swiss Foundation
of Research in Microtechnology, or FSRM,
in Neuchâtel,
Research Center
for Plasma Physics in Lausanne
Swiss Institute
of Cancer Research, or ISREC,
in Lausanne
Ludwig Cancer
Institute in Lausanne (a private international
foundation for cancer research)
International
Institute for Management Development, or
IMD
(specializing in higher business management training)
Center of Business
Law, or CEDIDAC
Institute for
Higher Studies in Public Administration,
or IDHEAP
Jean Monnet
Foundation for Europe
Institution
for Food Research, NESTEC, of Nestlé
CIES
(International Center for Sports Studies) in Neuchâtel
CAFI
(IBAC Iron Beam analysis Center) in Neuchâtel
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| B. Private
Schools |
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Western Switzerland
is home to a number of private schools, including
some of the most prestigious educational institutions.
Some of these schools are specialized, while others
offer a general education with classes conducted
entirely in French, English, Italian, Spanish,
and even Japanese.
A university-level education in English is possible,
at such institutions as the American School of
Leysin and the Canadian Junior College of Neuchâtel.
IHTTI
(International Hotel and Tourism Training) Institute
in Neuchâtel
International
Montesorri School in Neuchâtel
www.avdep.ch
www.anep.ch
www.swiss-schools.ch
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| 3.
SCIENTIFIC, TECHNOLOGICAL PARKS AND BUSINESS CENTERS |
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| A. Pioneer
projects |
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A
modern economy needs scientific and technological
parks. Western Switzerland is a pioneer for such
parks and offers the following possibilities
- The scientific
park at EPFL (PSE) Lausanne, Switzerland's foremost
scientific park.
- The scientific park
IRO in Sion whose mission is to promote ophthalmologic
research in Switzerland.
- The Neuchâtel
scientific park at CSEM, the ideal link between
Universities and the Industry.
- Scientific
and technological park, Yverdon-les-Bains (PST)
with excellent reputation.
- Technological
park, La Chaux-de-Fonds, surrounded by a big
number of leading micro technology companies.
- Technological park
Créapole, center of resources for the creation of companies,
which is installed in the buildings of Technopôle of the Jura
in Porrentruy.
Appendix 5 features the profile of the above
parks more in details
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| B. Business
Centers |
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In Western
Switzerland, managers, investors and companies
can rely on a big number of efficient business
centers. It is not just the staffed office which
makes the business center, but rather qualified
personnel and the additional services like travel
agencies, banks and post offices, etc. The following
Internet sites offer further information:
www.wtc.ch
and www.cap-2000.ch
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| 4.
KEY FEATURES OF EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITIES |
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| 1. Apprenticeship
and Specialized Schools of Higher Education |
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An apprenticeship
is a typically Swiss form of education consisting
of hands-on training in a professional position.
Apprentices work for a company while taking theoretical
courses in the same sector. Depending on the profession,
after 3 or 4 years of training and passing an exam,
an apprentice will obtain a Federal Certificate
of Capability (CFC) confirming the ability to work
in the chosen field as a mechanic, watchmaker, telecommunication
specialist, electronics specialist, information
systems, laboratory assistant, laboratory assistant,
business employee, or other technical position.
After obtaining a CFC and completing an additional
year of study, an individual may opt to take the
Professional Exams. Passing these exams enable the
person to attend the Specialized Schools of Higher
Education (HES).
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| 2. Universities |
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Our universities
offer all disciplines of university study including
high-level scientific training.
The University of Lausanne is recognized for its
Science and Medicine Departments, as well as its
Business School.
The University
of Neuchatel is known throughout the world for
its achievements in material sciences and microtechnology.
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| 3. Universities
of Applied Sciences (HES) |
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These professional
universities develop expertise in technological
applications and train professionals in these fields.
They serve as important recruitment centers for
industry leaders.
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| 4. Swiss
Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) |
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The EPFL is a world
leader among engineering schools. In addition, the
school is known for its work in the life sciences.
EPFL has received international recognition for
its collaboration with the University of Lausanne
and University Hospital Center of Vaud (CHUV).
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| 5. The
Swiss Center for Microtechnology and Electronics
(CSEM) |
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The
Swiss Center for Microtechnology and Electronics
(CSEM) establishes a link between the region's
universities and industry through research partnerships
with companies in the microtechnology sector.
The CSEM and the Institute of Microtechnology
at the University of Neuchatel are highly sought-out
partners for large multinational corporations.
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| 5.
PIONEER, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL PARKS |
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| A. The
Mission |
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| 1. The scientific
park helps to give birth to new projects
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- Technology transfer
- Access to the Universities and institutes,
their networks and infrastructure
- And direct, practical, personal cooperation
with teachers, researchers.
Young companies or pioneers can rent space
in the park. Working infrastructure and
environment, contacts and climate make
of the space a real stimulating incubator.
The best location of a park is directly
on the campus. After reaching the production
phase, the companies have to leave and
may move to a technological park.
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| 2. The technological
park supports young companies to make
the project fit for the market and industrial
production through |
- Technical and logistical support
- Impulsion and experience of the surrounding
companies
- Technology transfer service
- Personal contacts and last but not
least coaching.
The young companies can rent space in
the park. Environment and people which
will lead the projects on the right track
for successfully facing competition.
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| B. Scientific
Parks |
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1. The scientific
park at EPFL (PSE) Lausanne
is located
directly between the Swiss Federal Institute
of Technology and the University of Lausanne.
The park offers space of 12,000 square meters
available for projects. The Lausanne park has
generated many successful projects and is considered
as Switzerland's foremost scientific park.
2. The Neuchâtel
scientific park at CSEM
Neuchâtel
is building up a park in immediate neighbourhood
of the Swiss National research Center for Microtechnology
and its University. Being the link between Universities
and the industry the CSEM will offer the ideal,
most promising potential for the new scientific
park.
3. Le parc scientifique
IRO de Sion
Its mission is to contribute
to a better knowledge of the ocular diseases for an earlier diagnosis
and a more effective therapy.
As the exchange is essential for
research, the Institute collaborates with groups and universities
in Switzerland and abroad. Its publications, its participation in
specialized congresses, the scientific demonstrations that it
organizes in Sion or elsewhere, make to IRO an actor recognized in
the world of research in ophthalmology.
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| C. Technological
Parks |
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1. Scientific
and Technological Park Yverdon-les-Bains (PST)
Yverdon is
Switzerland's pioneer for technological centers
and offers 5,000 square meters space for new
companies. Specific attraction of Yverdon is
its diversified and stimulating industrial environment
for modern activities. The Yverdon park has
won a good reputation through its technology
transfer service and the good personal contacts.
2. Technological
Park La Chaux-de-Fonds
La Chaux-de-Fonds
is creating a technological park. The Jura Mountains
area is the heartland of microtechnology thanks
to its people and companies, skills and technical
imagination. The La Chaux-de-Fonds technological
park can rely in its immediate surroundings
on a big number of leading microtechnology companies.
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