Many problems in modern society are complex and cannot be easily classified into straightforward professional categories or academic disciplines.  Holistic problem solutions require an all-round understanding of the problem: an understanding that draws together the contributions of various specialist areas.

A partnership that pays off

The many and various disciplines united under one roof and their longstanding orientation towards the practical world make BFH a powerful partner for inter- and trans-disciplinary research activities. BFH brings together the knowledge and experience of various specialist areas in one location and so fosters a lively exchange of knowledge and technology between the university and its partners. In this way, innovative ideas can be implemented and major innovation processes can be set in motion, for example through co-operation with international partners and exchanges within national networks.

Access to research promotion programmes

Co-operation with BFH is financially worthwhile. In publicly funded co-operation projects, a large part of the cost is borne by national or international research funding programmes. BFH offers you access to programmes and initiatives such as KTI (the Swiss Confederation’s agency to promote innovation), DORE (DO REsearch – the Swiss National Science Foundation’s research promotion arm) or to the EU Framework Programme.

In terms of content, research at Bern University of Applied Sciences has a number of general emphases or foci, within which are specific areas of research.

Market-orientated emphasis

Both the university’s application-orientated research and development and its external service activities link selected research emphases to current market requirements. They serve the needs of innovation promotion and technology transfer, and are closely linked to courses at master’s level.

Fundamental research

BFH undertakes fundamental research in those areas where equivalents to its course offer at the traditional universities do not exist. It guarantees linkages from research and development activity and services for third parties back to student learning at all levels.

Business start-ups / Patents and licences

BFH consistently promotes the foundation and development of spin-offs and start-ups. The aim is that there should develop around the University a network of innovative companies which use the results of the research and make it available in national and international markets.

BFH manages patents and licences in a professional manner. Every year, patents for five to ten inventions are applied for. Interested third parties can either make use of these intellectual property rights by means of a fee-payable licence or acquire them through purchase.

 

When recruiting and appointing researchers, BFH adheres to the «Charter & Code» – in other words, the «European Charter for Researchers» and the «Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers» that forms part of it.

 

This set of guidelines outlines the rights and responsibilities of researchers and their employers and sets out principles for the allocation of jobs and funds. It is an initiative by the European Commission aimed at improving working conditions for researchers and developing the European Research Area.

 

European Charter for Researchers
The European Charter for Researchers contains general principles and requirements that specify the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers as well as of employers. The aim of the Charter is to ensure that the nature of the relationship is conducive to successful research, training and education as well as to the career development of researchers. The Charter also recognises the value of all forms of mobility as a means for enhancing the professional development of researchers.

 

Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers
The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers stands for fair basic conditions when appointing or recruiting researchers. It contains principles and requirements that should ensure observance of values such as transparency and equal treatment. Recruitment processes should be open, transparent, effective and internationally comparable.

 

The International Relations Officeof BFH is working with research and HR representatives to implement the «Charter & Code» at BFH.

 

Implementation of the Charter + Code
Based on an analysis of the basic conditions for researchers, BFH has defined an action plan for the implementation of the «Charter & Code». In addition, the embedding of the «Charter & Code» in the area of quality management is being examined.

 

Within the scope of the legal framework at cantonal and national level and the 2010/2011 HR Strategy Plan for Researchers of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research, BFH has defined the following three areas of focus for 2010 and 2011:

• Expanding the information on offer / optimising the flow of information
• Imparting methodological skills / project management know-how
• Improving basic conditions for researchers / refining the job profile

 

The emphasis will be placed on the areas of personnel recruitment, working conditions, equal treatment of men and women, intellectual property policy, and knowledge and technology transfer.

In 2012, nearly 400 large research projects (> CHF 50,000) were being carried out in all six departments of Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH. Many of these projects are rooted in practical life and thus generate cultural, social or economic benefits. The figures for 2012 stand as proof of the strong practical application of our research and development:

 

Well over 500 partners from business, society, the cultural world and the public service, as well as from other higher education institutions, were involved in research projects and BFH contracts.