A rapid differentiation was underway in the global university landscape in which the Anglo-Saxon universities were sounding the keynote, said ETH President Olaf Kübler at the Executive Board's New Year's aperitif in January 2004. (1) In future there would be a small number of internationally oriented star institutions and a large number of good, mostly regionally oriented, universities. In his address, Kübler made clear that ETH Zurich, already acknowledged as one of the best, was determined to defend its excellent ranking and, if possible, to improve it.

No guarantees for success

The 150-year Jubilee would provide an ideal background to illuminate these intentions, he said. Moreover, the Jubilee would also contribute to enhance and consolidate ETH Zurich in the society at large, by whom it was carried and financed. Not least, according to the ETH president, the Jubilee was also intended to strengthen the corporate identity of all those who work and study at ETH.

ETH's past success was no guarantee for tomorrow, wrote the Jubilee Delegate of the Executive Board, Meinrad Eberle, in a column for "ETH Life“. The ambitious goals that ETH had set itself called for new approaches, which is why the Jubilee gives reason to ask where society was going and "what the answers to this question would mean for teaching and research at ETH Zurich" (2). In sum, the Jubilee would pay critical tribute to the past, but would be characterised, above all, by an attitude that looked to the future.

From the very start it was clear that Jubilee projects could not be financed by the taxpayer. Funding has been assured by the Jubilee contribution 1980 together with new donations and sponsoring. When it came to selecting the projects, great value was placed on originality and innovation. Around 50 projects will leave their imprint on this special year.

Four leitmotifs

The projects fall into four main themes, each of which aims to arouse the interest of a different target group (3).

The mobile campaign "ETH on the Road“ is especially targeted at attracting new students from Switzerland's higher secondary schools (gymnasium).

New perspectives set against the background of tradition: Construction of the dome of the then Polytechnicum (bottom, ca. 1917/18) and design from Kees Christiaanse for the central plaza of Science City (2004). large

	At "ETH for All", members of ETH offer the opportunity to discover something of the world of research to all interested and seek the discussion with the public.
	Under the theme of "ETH Visions“ leading personalities from politics, industry and science will look into the question of shaping the future of ETH and debate possible scenarios for 2030, the next Jubilee year.
	The fourth main theme is "ETH At Home“ and its object is to strengthen the backbone of ETH, namely the people who work and study in its institutions, by promoting a feeling of togetherness. One particular aim hereby is to better integrate the great number of staff of non-Swiss origins.

A celebration with consequences

One distinct message has emerged: "150 Years ETH Zurich“ shall stimulate sustainability. Lasting consequences will result from a number of projects, amongst others from the project ETHistory (4), from results of research projects as well as the results of the theme "ETH Visions" and the symposia, essays, numerous books on expositions and the results of the "Luftschloss“competition: the construction of a new university laboratory and a library for Bamiyan in Afghanistan.

Numerous events and discussions between scientists and the public planned within "ETH for All" will have a lasting effect as far as trust and understanding are concerned. And "ETH on the Road" will serve as a model for an increased presence of ETH Zurich throughout Switzerland, in the future.