Dear D-ITET members,
dear students

It is with great pleasure, but also concern due to the pandemic-related circumstances, that I am writing to you in my new function as Head of Department. I wished the situation at ETH and D-ITET were easier, as we had to shut down again – at least partly – alongside the whole country of Switzerland. I am aware that this requires enormous adaptations from all of you, and I would like to thank you for your flexibility and support.

Despite the circumstances and the uncertainty, we have an exciting, eventful year ahead of us.
Let me emphasise two important highlights in particular: We look forward to

– the opening of the GLC building in which several D-ITET labs will find their new home,
– our department evaluation which is scheduled to happen in the first week of November.

Today, I would like to especially focus on the department evaluation: Evaluations take place every seven years at all departments and entities of ETH Zurich. D-ITET and its faculty will be evaluated by their “peers”, a group of selected national and international faculty and experts in their field, aiming to assess both strengths and weaknesses of our department with regard to research, teaching, administration, etc. Thanks to the hard work by everyone at D-ITET and the excellent leadership of previous department heads, D-ITET is in a strong and internationally leading position. Therefore we look forward to this challenge with confidence. Nevertheless, careful preparation will be required, and we have started to inform those who will be involved in the evaluation of their role and responsibilities.

For now, I would like to wish all D-ITET members all the best for 2021 – in particular health! – and to all students good luck for the upcoming exams.

Best wishes,
Klaas Enno Stephan
Head of Department