Asia Society Switzerland is proud to announce today two additions to its Board of Trustees: Michael Hengartner, President of the ETH Board, and Nicola Forster, President of the Swiss Society for the Common Good (SGG), will both be joining the board of our foundation effective March 1, 2022, and will strengthen the organization’s ability to deliver Asia Competence to a broad audience in Switzerland. 

Since its foundation in 2016, Asia Society Switzerland has grown into a leading platform for Asian issues and insights. We deeply believe that for Switzerland to remain an open, connected and successful country, it is crucial that we broaden our understanding and engagement with the world’s largest and most dynamic region. 

Both new board members bring with them a wealth of experience, expertise, and connections in the areas of academia, policymaking, and community engagement. As President of the ETH Board, Michael Hengartner is responsible for overseeing the Swiss Technical Universities ETH in Zurich and EPFL in Lausanne, which are ranked 8th and 14th in the list of the world’s best universities. He was previously President of the University of Zurich, Switzerland’s largest university, and President of swissuniversities, the umbrella organization of Swiss universities. His engagement with Asia Society Switzerland will help us collaborate even more closely with academic institutions in Switzerland to connect them to our global Asia expertise, and jointly deliver Asia Competence. 

 Nicola Forster currently serves as the President of the Swiss Society for the Common Good (SGG). He is also a co-founder of the foreign policy think tank Foraus, and the public sector innovation lab Staatslabor. These experiences will help Asia Society Switzerland more effectively engage policymakers, thought leaders, and the next generation. 

Nicola Forster and Michael Hengartner will join Adrian T. Keller (Chairman), Raymond J. Baer (Vice Chairman), Patrick Balkanyi, Uli Sigg, Peter Weibel, and Eunice Zehnder-Lai on the Board of Trustees.