Former Editions
The H.I.T. Program - High Potential University Leaders Identity & Skills Training Program - Gender Sensitive Leaders in Academia” was launched in 2019 as a cooperation project of all Swiss universities in the framework of the swissuniversities program P-7 Equal Opportunity and University Development 2017-20.
H.I.T. Program 2019-20
The H.I.T. Program 2019-20 is a cooperation project of all cantonal universities, ETHZ and EPFL, with the University of Zurich as Leading House. It is designed as an exclusive, nationwide training program for full and associate female professors from all Swiss universities. Throughout the program, the participants enhance their leadership skills, get expert knowledge of the governance of Swiss universities and gain expertise in innovative, diversity-aware leadership.
From 2021 to 2024, the H.I.T. Program continued as a collaborative project of all Swiss universities through three further editions (2021-22, 2023, 2024), supported by the
H.I.T. Program 2021-22
The H.I.T. Program 2021-22 is scheduled in a blended format: 4-day in-person sessions and two half-day online sessions. The program activities are organized from October 2021 until April 2022 in Lucerne, Neuchâtel*, and Bern, as well as online.
Throughout the program, participants meet top leaders from Swiss universities and other academic institutions responsible for research policies to discuss about current current challenges and opportunities in higher education. Additionally, several program alumnae join the participants on various occasions to share their leadership experiences and career stories.
* Due to Covid, the 2-day event scheduled in Neuchâtel in January 2022 was modified at the last minute and offered in virtual format. To compensate for the missed networking opportunities, we organized an extra event in Neuchâtel after the program ended: Alumnae Networking Event, 24 June 2022, Hotel Beaulac.
H.I.T. Program 2023
The 2023 edition, structured around leadership training, individual coaching, leadership shadowing, professional networking, and peer-mentoring, is offered in a blended format: 4.5-day in-person events and a half-day virtual session. Training modules and workshops, led by renowned leadership experts, scheduled from March to September 2023, take place in Fribourg, St. Gallen, Bern, and Basel.
Additionally, the participants benefit from:
- Professional coaching: 2 individual sessions
- Leadership shadowing: one-on-one exchanges with top leaders from Swiss universities and other academic institutions
H.I.T. Program 2024
The 2024 edition features 5-day sessions held in Geneva, Bern, Lausanne, and Zurich, along with an online session.
Additionally, participants benefit from the Personalized Leadership Development component of the program, which includes:
- Leadership coaching: two individual sessions with professional coaches
- Meet a Leader: one-to-one with Senior Leadership from Swiss universities
Starting with the 2025 edition, the H.I.T. Program has been established at the Center for Higher Education and Science Studies (CHESS) at the University of Zurich. Supported by the senior leadership of all Swiss universities, the program remains open to women professors from the ten cantonal universities, ETH Zurich, and EPFL.
H.I.T. Program 2025
Flyer (PDF, 765 KB)
The 2025 program included residential training modules in Zurich, Neuchâtel and Bern, complemented by virtual sessions.