17 November 2014. In the course of his stay in Singapore in mid-November 2014, HSG President Thomas Bieger informed his audience about the latest activities of the Institute of the University of St.Gallen in South East Asia. The main purpose of the trip was constituted by discussions with a delegation from ETH Zurich headed by President Prof. Dr. Ralph Eichler.

Cooperation in research and teaching
The two Swiss universities intend to intensify their cooperation in projects in Singapore. The local representations of ETH Zurich and the HSG regularly exchange information and provide each other with mutual support. “It’s certainly an important signal that two leading Swiss educational institutions want to cooperate more strongly within the framework of their respective activities abroad,” said Prof. Dr. Stefan Morkötter, Managing Director of St.Gallen Institute of Management in Asia Pte Ltd (SGI-HSG).

In ETH Zurich’s representation in Singapore, the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC), Institute Director Prof. Dr. Peter Edwards reported on current research projects, which include the Future Cities Laboratory and the Future Resilient Systems project. In return, the ETH Zurich delegation learned what the SGI-HSG was currently working on. Institute Director Prof. Dr. Stefan Morkötter provided an overview of 15 years of teaching and research by the HSG in Singapore. “With the inauguration of the St.Gallen Institute of Management in Asia in 2012, the HSG reached a further milestone in its involvement in South East Asia,” said Morkötter.

According to the university presidents Thomas Bieger and Ralph Eichler, the HSG and ETH Zurich want to increase their cooperation in the field of teaching, in particular. The Swiss universities intend to discuss cooperation regularly in Singapore.

Swiss ambassador to Singapore among the guests

The Swiss ambassador to Singapore, Thomas Kupfer, welcomed the approx. 120 invited guests to the conclusion of the joint discussions on the occasion of the traditional Asia Term Farewell Dinner. This ceremony always marks the end of an intensive time of learning for all Asia Term students from the University of St.Gallen. The Asia Term is the leading exchange programme of the University of St.Gallen at the Bachelor’s Level. For four months, HSG students are able to study at the Singapore Management University as exchange students and live in Singapore. Currently, 37 students from St.Gallen are in Singapore.

The SGI-HSG is the only HSG institute in a foreign country and concentrates on research, teaching and executive education with reference to Asia. The Institute facilitates students’ and teachers’ ties with and access to Asia, for instance with the Asia Term. With regard to its research activities, the SGI-HSG focuses on business innovation, customer centricity, intercultural competence and wealth management.