As witnesses to the digital revolution, every year we produce the equivalent amount of data as that produced over the course of the entire human history. While some consider Big Data to be akin to the discovery of oil, its value is in its ability to extract meaning from raw data and transform it into knowledge and innovation. Against this backdrop, governments and businesses around the world are investing heavily in this new field to remain competitive. Where does Switzerland stand in this regard? Are we seizing all available opportunities? Beyond the question of how Big Data fuels innovation and impacts our society, new data technology also challenges the traditional scientific method. Does “data-driven science” equate to a scientific method void of theoretical models and hypothesis?
Hosted by the University of Fribourg and inaugurated by State Secretary Mauro Dell’Ambrogio, the first half of the swissnex Day’15 will be devoted to exploring such questions through a discussion led by a panel of distinguished experts.
The second part of the day will offer five interactive breakout sessions covering a variety of topics, from hands-on Big Data projects to learning about innovation strategies in Asia. Two networking breaks will give participants the opportunity to connect with the swissnex representatives and the Swiss Science and Technology Counselors (STC), as well as with 250 representatives from Switzerland’s education, research and innovation community.
For any questions, please contact: swissnex-day@nullsbfi.admin.ch
Read the blog!
Interested in learning more about Big Data in science and innovation around the world? Find here a series of blog posts by the swissnex and Swiss Science and Technology Counselor (STC) network, offering global insights on this topic.
Program
12h: Networking Luncheon and Registration
13.30h: Welcome Words
Moderated by
Speakers
- Prof. Astrid Epiney, Rector, University of Fribourg
- State Councilor Jean-Pierre Siggen, DICS
- StS Mauro Dell’Ambrogio, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation
Honouring of Prof. Urs Hochstrasser
14h: Keynote Speech
by Marianne Janik, CEO Microsoft Switzerland
14.15h: Input Speech
by Urs Obrist, Science and Technology Counselor in Ottawa
14.20h: Panel Discussion
Moderated by
Speakers
- Ioannis Xenarios, Swiss Institute for Bioinformatics
- Prof. Philippe Cudre-Mauroux, University of Fribourg
- Marianne Janik, Microsoft Switzerland
- Ursula Widmer, Widmer & Partner / University of Bern
15h: Conclusive remarks
by State Councilor Beat Vonlanthen, DEE
15.15h: Networking
16h – 17.30h: Breakout sessions
See info below.
Breakout Sessions
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Sensing the city
Our cities are giant collectors and emitters of data, which often goes unused and unnoticed— and it’s not understood by citizens. To better comprehend how data influences our lives, we launched the citizen sensing project ‘Data Canvas’. Please meet the winning team from the swissnexes Boston and San Francisco, the Swiss Embassy in Ottawa as well as from ETH Zurich’s Future Cities Lab, and join our discussion about smart cities, city sensing, open data, data literacy, and citizen engagement. This event will also be an opportunity to connect with the North America swissnex-Team.
Organized by
- Felix Mösner, Oliver Haugen, swissnex Boston
- Sophie Lamparter, swissnex San Francisco
- Urs Obrist, STC Ottawa
With
- ETH Zurich City Future Lab
Link
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Innovation in APAC & opportunities for Swiss companies and universities
What are some of the major trends in the fast moving cities in China, Japan and Korea? How do companies and governments develop innovation? Our speakers will cover some of these points and the swissnex team in Asia will offer is expertise to help you understand the opportunities of closer collaboration with that part of the world.
Organized by
- Pascal Marmier, swissnex China
- Christian Schneider, STC Seoul
With
- Hai Zhang, Global Business Development, Biomarker, Roche Diagnostics
- Prof. Philippe Régnier, HES-SO Fribourg
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DapLab – Where Swiss companies meet Big Data
DapLab is an open platform aiming at facilitating the entry of Swiss companies and universities into the realm of Big Data. This session will present the DapLab concept and will go through a concrete Big Data use-case leveraging the DapLab software and infrastructures. No advanced IT expertise required.
Organized by
- Prof. Philippe Cudre-Mauroux, University of Fribourg
- Prof. Jean Hennebert, HES-SO Fribourg
- Benoit Perroud, VERISIGN
Link
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Discovery and visiting Tour of the Adolph Merkle Institut and the NCCR Bio-inspired Materials
Learn about and visit the University of Fribourg’s NCCR for bio-inspired Materials and the Adolph Merkle Institut, which focuses on research and education in the domain of soft nanomaterials.
Organized by
- Marc Pauchard, Associate Director, Head of Knowledge & Technology Transfer, AMI
- Scott Capper, Communication and Marketing, AMI
Links
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Experience the Swiss Integrative Center for Human Health
Our workshop focuses on the expertise and the technologies available at the Health, Materials and Ergonomics Facilities of SICHH and their interactions. We will start our workshop with a hands-on session in the Ergonomics Facility. We will build a robust system to monitor the participants’ displacements within our premises at blueFACTORY. This requires the use of a combination of technologies, i.e. radar technology, wireless communication, data mining and image processing in an everyday life situation. This workshop will conclude with concrete examples showing how through the integration of competencies the Health, Materials and Ergonomics Facilities work in synergy.
Organized by
- Jean-Marc Brunner, CEO
- Alessandra Apicella, Materials specialist
- Frédéric Guerry, Head of Health Facility
- Geneviève Dardier, Head of Ergonomics Facility
- Mark Ambühl, Materials specialist
- Muriel Jaquet, Head of Tech Facility
- Jan Kerschgens, Senior Project Manager
Link
You want to know more about previous editions of the swissnexDay? Find all the information here.