A Lively Place for Debate

Ava Moll is coordinator of interim use of Irchel Campus.

“As the coordinator, I am the main contact person for members of the UZH community and for the current interim user, the Kantonsschule Zurich North (KZN) upper secondary school. My job is to facilitate schools’ acclimation to the new environment and to protect the interests of the university. I am aware that the interim use of the Irchel Campus is being watched with a critical eye – that’s exactly where the challenge and allure of my job lie.

“Innovative teaching-learning projects provide an excellent basis for cooperation. To cite an example, a radio telescope is being installed on the roof of a building on the Irchel Campus – it will benefit both the students of the cantonal upper secondary school as well as members of the UZH community. Initiatives like the Brown Bag Lunches sponsored by the Department of Geography also promote networking and joint projects. At the same time, I create informal platforms to further invigorate dialogue, such as through a networking event for members of the university and upper secondary school communities. It particularly pleases me when participants get actively involved themselves: one highlight, for instance, was the joint poster event staged by the KZN and UZH chemistry students associations.

“An important part of my work is mediating between different interests. When specific problems such as noise or room utilization conflicts arise, I bring the parties concerned into direct dialogue to devise workable solutions and clear rules together. Some challenges, such as when school pupils use the elevators and delay UZH employees, aren’t always easy to resolve. My goal is to continually create a constructive foundation for communication and understanding.

“Cultural processes and the mindsets of different groups fascinate me. I view empathy, candor and a willingness to compromise as essential success factors in my work. It’s important to me to seek common ground and find the best possible solution in every situation, always with a willingness to stand back and take other perspectives into consideration.”

Yves Bourloud (front row, 4th from left, in red sweater) is Managing Director of Schlieren Campus Council.

“Our campus houses facilities of UZH, University Hospital Zurich and ETH Zurich, as well as those of external partners from the Schlieren BioTechnopark. This diversity is also reflected in the Campus Council, which I have been assisting since its founding in 2023. The council convenes at least four times a year to plan projects and monitor their progress.

“The Schlieren Campus isn’t a classic student campus; it’s a highly specialized life sciences research site with a variety of laboratory facilities. In this environment, creating an interinstitutional social indoor area – a shared lounge space that promotes dialogue and exchange – is a central concern to us.

“One important mission is to bolster mutual understanding within and outside UZH and its institutions. Last year, we held the Faculty of Medicine’s faculty assembly here in Schlieren for the first time. Our maiden Open Day in September 2024 invited the public in Schlieren to gain insights into our research activities through guided tours and workshops for children.

“Although I am not a researcher, I find my work very satisfying because my job is to address interinstitutional concerns and to translate them into action. I consider fostering cooperation and well-being and improving the shared infrastructure a meaningful activity in this important environment for research on cancer, induced stem cell therapies and rare diseases.

“A well-attended networking apéritif party is held every month, and the activity lineup also features weekly yoga classes and will be expanded this year to include fitness training. One big improvement for students is the harmonization of cafeteria prices: starting this year, they will pay prices comparable to those at other UZH cafeterias in other locations. That facilitates people meeting one another in the cafeteria and benefits campus life. Small improvements like setting up tables and benches outdoors are also important. Actions of that kind contribute to making the Schlieren Campus a better place for everyone.”