This year the Executive Board of ETH Zurich, for the first time, invited all members of ETH to an informal exchange of ideas in the physics building and kicked off the aperitif with an artful multimedial demonstration. The speakers stepped on to the podium to the accompaniment of Bach's fanfare (electronically modernised). There was perfect lighting, big screens projected the event around the entire entry area of the physics building and the happening on the podium was supplemented with video inserts reflecting the opinions expressed by men and women in the streets on their image of ETH back to the university.

The recorded clips show that most of the randomly questioned passers-by on the Bahnhofstrasse were familiar with the acronym "ETH" and knew what it stands for. Even the concierge at the "Savoy" Hotel, a citizen of a non-German speaking country, knew what it stood for.

The first New Year's aperitif met with a high level of interest from ETH staff. large

Germany turns its attention to ETH

It is likely that in the near future ETH's high reputation will resound even further afield than it already does today. In the debate on changes to the tertiary education system in Germany, with calls for the creation of elite universities, ETH Zurich is repeatedly held up as a role model. The German media have developed a lively interest in ETH. In his address to the gathering on Wednesday evening, ETH President Olaf Kübler pointed this out and went on to emphasise that in a recently published university ranking (2) ETH Zurich was ranked as the best university in continental Europe. "A brilliant start into the new year" so President Kübler.

The Executive Board exchanging views in the throng: Rector Konrad Osterwalder (r.) ... large

Setting their sights on the top ten

As his main message Kübler named the goal – under the impulse of today's rapidly changing and increasingly differentiated university landscape – of belonging to the top three universities in Europe and reaching the top ten worldwide.

... Gerhard Schmitt, Vice-president planning and logistics... large

ETH President Olaf Kübler during his speech... large

The prerequisites for achieving this two-fold goal – high quality standards in research and teaching, a high level of commitment and a high profile in globally relevant research themes – are given, says Kübler. But ETH's international presence had to be "strengthened and made sustainable". And he adds, "Modesty often holds us back from reaching for the very top".

This reach for the stars, however, would be impossible without the backing of those who carry the system – the Swiss taxpayers. "We must be an international institution with a strong national anchorage, on all accounts," says the ETH president. This is precisely what the project "Science City" incorporates. It carries the imprint of internationality but is firmly embedded in close exchange with Zurich in particular and Switzerland as a whole.

Goal of the Jubilee

This is also precisely the goal that ETH is reaching for with its up-coming Jubilee in 2005. The planned events aim to anchor ETH within society, strengthen its position as a university with global pretensions and serve to foster its corporate identity, adds Kübler.

On this basis, Meinrad Eberle, director and co-ordinator of the programme surrounding the Jubilee "150 Years ETH", names the target audience of the approximate 30 projects being developed for the Jubilee project: namely the public at large, opinion leaders, potential future students – young men and women in secondary education today – and, not least, all members of the ETH-community.

... and Ulrich W. Suter, Vice-president Research and Business Relations (middle). large

It's raining letters...

These addresses were followed by the first important milestone on the way to the Jubilee celebrations. The letters trickling down on the screen reveal the Jubilee slogan: "Welcome tomorrow". The image is projected five times, with the interchangeable sub-clause "150 Years ETH Zurich" in all four national languages plus English.

Next year perhaps reality: Jubilee transparency on the west side of the ETH main building. large

Before that comments appear on the screen – again taken in the streets outside – of sundry opinions on the slogan. Some considered it successful in that it reflects the core business of ETH in a playful and unambiguous manner. One sceptical voice regrets the fact that the slogan isn't in German and one young man thought it sounded more like a cinematic box-office hit. There is no accounting for taste, it's true. But should ETH succeed in becoming a role model for Europe's scientific landscape, and thus an export article, the latter association might not be wholly wrong.

The real part of the evening then followed with informal exchanges between the guests and members of the ETH Executive Board, accompanied by nibbles and drinks.