Semester Awards for 61 Students

From when they enroll at university to when they complete their studies, every student goes through different phases that can often be challenging. What are the key things to consider in shaping one’s own study path? An inspirational answer to this question was provided by UZH President Michael Schaepman in his laudatory speech to mark this year’s Tag der Lehre in which he recounted his own personal educational journey. He emphasized that the end goal often only becomes apparent when you look back and it’s crucial to follow your own interests, keep refocusing, and also have the courage to pursue unconventional paths. “I too chose the wrong path on a few occasions. Today I can say I’m glad I did so!” says Schaepman.

The Tag der Lehre is a real highlight on the yearly calendar at the University of Zurich. As a valuable platform for engaging and swapping ideas, it provides instructors and students with the opportunity to discuss the latest developments and challenges within teaching. This year’s motto was Shaping Student Journeys.

Throughout the day, teaching staff and students were able to participate actively in events and gain valuable insights to help them in their teaching and studies. For example, program coordinators from different departments and offices discussed how curricula should be designed to have a positive, lasting influence on the course of study. Other workshops highlighted the potential for learning environments, self-organized learning and game-based learning to promote problem-solving and team skills.

In his practice-oriented keynote speech, the professor of criminal law and criminal procedure and teaching award winner Marc Thommen explained how specific teaching methods can help students on their journey. An interactive tour of the main building also offered an exciting glimpse of the possibilities that Una Europa offers for organizing individual studies.
 

A panel discussion explored the question of what makes a successful study program. This revealed that it’s not just about acquiring specialist knowledge and getting good grades. Students who take responsibility for their own studies and know their own strengths and weaknesses will also be successful. The experts on the panel agreed that acquiring social and emotional skills is absolutely vital – not just in studying for a degree, but also for a person’s future career. If you learn how to apportion your energy, build resilience and nurture contacts, you’ll be better able to deal with stressful situations and failures. 

Levels of academic success vary and so do the paths that students follow at UZH. “Students who enroll for a degree at UZH set out on a journey full of signposts, forks and junctions,” emphasized Gabriele Siegert, Deputy President and Vice President Education and Student Affairs, in her speech at the ceremonial evening event. “There’s no such thing as a perfect study pathway; rather there are lots of individual learning paths that open up new horizons.” Degree courses are individual processes that UZH wants to support in the best way possible. The instructors also have an important role to play: “As experienced guides, they lead the way, provide guidance and help students find the right paths.”

Every course of study is also defined by key milestones – from the first exams and the completion of the basic lectures to projects and internships. One particularly crucial element is the semester papers that serve as a barometer of academic progress and provide valuable insights into each student’s personal development.

The highlight of the day was a great celebration of these academic milestones: 61 students received a semester award in recognition of their brilliant academic papers in which they examined original questions within their subject. The graduates from the higher education programs, including the CAS in Higher Education and Teaching Skills, and the recipients of the Orelli Award from the Faculty of Law were also honored for their outstanding achievements.

The event culminated with convivial drinks in Lichthof, the large atrium at the campus, where students, teaching staff and guests were able to engage in stimulating conversations.