ZHdK wants its own right to award doctorates
The federal government supports four of the five applications submitted by Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) for doctoral programs with partner universities. However, the ZHdK would also like to run independent doctoral programs in the future.
In 2016, the ZHdK's research institutes underwent an evaluation for the first time on behalf of the UAS Council. It was also given an excellent rating in an international comparison. A newly launched project now aims to further strengthen the link between research and teaching. Work is also underway to further develop the professorship model. The aim is to give professorships at the ZHdK a clearer profile.
In 2016, the ZHdK worked on 67 research projects and completed around a third of them. 40 percent of research expenditure, amounting to around CHF 10 million, was financed by third-party funds. Important contributors were the Swiss National Science Foundation SNSF, the Commission for Technology and Innovation CTI and private foundations.
The doctoral programs, which the ZHdK runs in cooperation with international partners, are also rated particularly positively in the reviews of the research units. During the project period from 2017 to 2020, the ZHdK is cooperating with the Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design, the University of Reading and the University of Art and Design Linz. Another program will be carried out jointly with ETH and the University of Zurich.
The ZHdK is planning to establish and award an honorary title in recognition of outstanding achievements by individuals who have made a special contribution to the arts and design. The university's honorary doctorate, the Dr. h.c., will be replaced by the "Honorary Companion ZHdK". The first award is planned for the 2017 University Day in October.
