On April 18, Franklin hosted the Association of Accredited Private Universities (AAPU) Conference on the Kaletsch Campus. Representatives from several private Swiss institutions of higher education met to discuss possible areas for improvement, opportunity, growth, and challenges unique to the group. FUS President Samuel Martín-Barbero welcomed René Weber, President of AAPU and Rector of Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences Switzerland, to give an overview of the legal and regulatory frameworks in Swiss Higher Education.
In a round of introductions, participants discussed their respective universities and shared areas of similarities and differences among them. On the agenda were several sessions in small break-out groups, each focusing on areas of mutual interest: challenges and opportunities, cornerstones of participation in the AAPU, and institutional accreditation and integration. Between meeting sessions on this sunny day, participants enjoyed coffee and lunch at the on-campus Grotto and continued their more serious discussions in a more casual ambiance.
Additional topics in the afternoon pertained to future membership potential, funding opportunities, and quality assurance, focusing on the speakers’ shared interest in maintaining and improving education quality at their respective campuses. Central to the conference’s goal was to communicate openly about the details involved with the accreditation process within the Swiss system, coordinate among member institutions, and facilitate collective action. Franklin was an ideal meeting point for the AAPU this spring, as the warm Lugano weather provided a respite from the northern chill so distinct to many of the other universities represented. Together, the private universities of Switzerland can overcome temporary obstacles and move forward with ever-growing educational impact for diverse student populations.
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