Definitions

The deans of the EPFL Schools and Colleges determine their faculty recruitment strategy with the EPFL Direction during academic dialogues. They also report on the progress of recruitments already initiated. This instrument concerns all academic processes.

This instrument concerns the process Governing EPFL. Periodicity: yearly; Responsibility: Provost.

EPFL engineer Master’s programmes are regularly accredited since 1998 by the Commission des titres d’ingénieur (CTI). They also carry the EUR-ACE label.

This instrument concerns the process Teaching and learning. Periodicity: every 6 years; Responsibility: Provost; Link.

Several commissions and committees are in place to oversee administrative procedures (such as for admissions, exams, complaints, etc.). Commissions on research ethics (e.g., the EPFL Animal Research Ethics Committee and the EPFL Human Research Ethics Committee) are overseen by the VPA; the committee on risk management is overseen by the VPF; and the catering commission is overseen by the VPO. This list of commissions is not exhaustive. The Academic Strategic Committee (ASC) stated its activities in 2023. The Global Ethics and Partnerships Committee (GEP) has been launched in 2024.

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: ongoing.

A guide of essential rules, practices and values in force at EPFL, available here.

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: every 4 years; Responsibility: Legal Affairs. 

EPFL has prepared a number of continuity plans that will take effect on all campuses.

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: VPO.

In-depth course evaluation
For all classes, the corresponding Section asks students for a more in-depth evaluation through a questionnaire covering a variety of topics. See Lex 2.5.1.

Students’ indicative feedback on classes
In an effort to continually improve their classes and teaching methods, EPFL teachers and Sections ask students for their feedback through a single question sent out the 5th week of the semester. This provides a general idea of how classes are going. See Lex 2.5.1.

Internal evaluation of Bachelor and Master programme
An internal evaluation of the programs for sections’ steering groups is organized every 3 years. The evaluation of the Bachelor’s programs is based on surveys of Master’s students who have completed their Bachelor’s degree at EPFL, this of Master programs is based on a periodic survey of alumni.

This instrument concerns the process Teaching and learning. Responsability: CAPE.

During the “Dialogue”, the EPFL President, accompanied by certain members of the EPFL Directorate, informs the ETH Board of the progress made (reporting part) and discusses planned developments (strategic part).

This instrument concerns the process Governing EPFL. Periodicity: yearly. Responsibility: President and Provost Office.

Bilateral interviews with strategic industrial partners located at the EPFL Innovation Park are conducted to assess the overall satisfaction of the collaboration with EPFL. In addition, all collaboration opportunities with EPFL are documented in a CRM that allows the follow-up of the relationship and satisfaction. Dialogues and tools are the responsibility of VPI.

This instrument concerns the process Valorizing research results (previously Innovating). Periodicity: Ongoling; Responsibility: VPI.

Student representatives sit on the EPFL Assembly and play an important role in the EPFL governance. They take part in governance-related consultation procedures, for example. For matters related to degree programs, they provide feedback to the Section Directors’ Conference (CDS) and Section Teaching Commissions.

The student representatives meet the AVP-E every month and the EPFL Management Board in corpore once per semester.

 All students evaluate courses (see below).

This instrument concerns the process Teaching and Learning. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: Management affairs, Delegate of the Provost for Student Relations.

Administrative employees undergo annual performance reviews with their managers. These assessments are carried out in a collaborative manner, and objectives are set jointly for the coming year. The goal is to discuss areas of improvement and identify training opportunities.

Every year, EPFL Faculty fill in a register of academic performance.

This instrument concerns the process Managing human development. Periodicity: Yearly; responsibility: VPH. Link. 

Each doctoral programme is supervised by a committee. It organizes the recruitment of its doctoral students, approves the study plans and the program regulations, sets up the mentoring system, and assists the programme director in administrative and academic matters. See also Lex 2.4.1.
All doctoral programme directors meet regularly in the Doctoral Commission (Cdoct).

This instrument concerns the process Teaching and Learning. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: AVP-CP. Link.

Published since 2022, this register collects all improvement measures implemented by process owners. Improvement measures are introduced in response to legislative changes or suggestions of stakeholders, and following recommendations from academic evaluations or audits.

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: every 2 years. Responsibility: Provost (operational level: Quality Deputy). Link.

Under the ETH Act, all EPFL professors, teachers, students and employees should be involved in preliminary decision-making processes and provide their input on the School’s governance system. This process of collecting comments and suggestions is the main function of the EPFL Assembly (AE).

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsability: AE President; Link.

EPFL sends the ETH Board an annual report, financial report and risk assessment report every year as part of its accountability requirements. All annual reports are available here.

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: yearly; Responsibility: Mediacom; Link.

The EPFL Teachers’ Council (CCE) represents all EPFL teachers, in accordance with Article 17 of the ETH Board bylaws. The CCE’s role is to advise EPFL Direction on all teaching-related issues.

This instrument concerns the process Teaching and Learning. Periodicity: Ongoing; Responsibility: CCE President. Link: CCE.

The EPFL Committee of Academic Evaluation (CEAE) guarantees compliance with standards of excellence at the international level and consistency within EPFL, as part of the promotion process for faculty careers.

Each School has a School Committee of Academic Evaluation (School CEA), that interviews the candidate, makes an in-depth evaluation of the candidature and submits its opinion to the School dean. 

This instrument concerns the process Governing EPFL. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: VPA; Link: CEAE.

The Library Research Data Management team is at disposal of EPFL researchers to provide expert advice, support, and solutions for data management and planning.

This instrument concerns the process Researching. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: EPFL Library: Link.

 This charter reflects our commitment to improve our purchasing practices by describing our ambition and expectations to our suppliers.

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: VPF.

EPFL Centers are evaluated every 4 years as required by the Lex 1.2.12.

This instrument concerns the process Researching. Periodicity: every 4 years. Responsibility: AVP-CP.

Regulary, the EPFL’s Direction commission an independent expert to review their academic performance of EPFL Schools and Colleges. The experts’ findings and the following action plan are communicated to the ETH Board as part of the Dialogue meeting. The follow-up takes place one year later. These evaluations are carried out in three steps: developing the terms of reference, completing a self-evaluation and conducting the assessment. The action plan is presented to the ETH Board for approval. A follow-up is performed one year later. 

This instrument concerns all academic processes. Periodicity every 8 years; Responsibility: Provost (at the operational level: Quality Delegate); Link.

The ETH Board’s internal audit team evaluates EPFL’s risk management processes, internal control system and governance processes. EPFL’s Direction then reviews the Board’s findings and takes any necessary corrective actions. See also Lex 1.4.3 and Lex 1.7.1.

The ETH Board also performs regular audits to make sure all EPFL employees have a safe and healthy place to work, recommending improvements as needed. EPFL’s Safety, Security and Facilites Operations Domain (VPO-SE) oversees occupational health and safety at EPFL schools and colleges and conducts audits, as specified in Lex 1.5.1. 

IT security is crucial for EPFL, as stated in Lex 6.5.1. It is also one of the main risks identified during the EPFL’s risk management procedure. EPFL has therefore introduced a series of internal controls, and the ETH Board reviews this risk as part of its audits.

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: Internal Controls and Risk Management: information: here.

Infoscience is the institutional platform of EPFL for disseminating scientific publications and research output. It collects, preserves and shares the academic and scientific output of EPFL researchers, teachers and students, making it freely accessible to the largest possible audience.

This instrument concerns the process Researching. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsiblity: EPFL Library; Link.

EPFL’s quality management system is assessed as part of its institutional accreditation process (as set forth in Article 28 of the Swiss Higher Education Act) using the national standards set by the Swiss Agency of Accreditation and Quality Assurance (AAQ). This process contains three steps: a self-evaluation, a peer assessment and a decision made by the Swiss Accreditation Council. A panel of international experts also conducts an assessment of five areas: quality assurance, governance, education, research and services, resources, and internal and external communications. EPFL went through the procedure for the first time in 2021.

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: every 7 years. Responsibility: Provost (operational level: EPFL Quality Delegate); Link.

EPFL main indicators are available here.

This instrument concerns all academic processes. Periodicity: yearly; Responsability: EM-PP-DATA.

EPFL has an internal control system that was introduced in line with Federal regulations. The Internal control system (ICS is) overseen by the internal audit team of the ETH Board, as required by Art. 35abis, para. 1 of the ETH Act and Art. 11 of the Federal Audit Office Act. See also Lex 1.7.1.

This instrument concerns the process Managing finances. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: Internal Controls and Risk Management.

The job placement survey of recent graduates covers topics such as how long it took them to find a job, how many jobs they applied for and what their starting salaries were. 

This instrument concerns the process Teaching and learning. Périodicity: yearly; Responsibility: CCTC. Link.

The first Masterplan covers the period from now until 2050.

This instrument concerns all process. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: VPO.

This Masterplan runs until 2028 for our IT systems and 2032 for our IT facilities.

This instrument concerns all process. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: VPO.

The OSSC represents the EPFL academic community in institutional matters related to Open Science and establishes the predominant role of researchers in shaping EPFL’s vision for it.

Its primary role is to provide strategic advice. It proposes an Open Science strategy to the Direction of EPFL, and provides advice for its implementation. The OSSC also engages with Schools, Centers and other academic units to be a voice for Open Science.

This instrument concerns the process Researching. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: VPA.

Nexus aims to implement the transformation of the Finance and Human resources information systems and the associated administrative processes.

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: VPF.

The Doctoral School conducts in-depth surveys (2005, 2012, 2019) to assess the quality of its doctoral education, asking doctoral students about their expectations, experiences and well-being.

This instrument concerns the process Teaching and learning. Periodicity: every 7 years; responsibility: CAPE, EDOC. Link. 

Electronic compendium of EPFL laws, ordinances, regulations and directive, here.

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: ongoing: Responsability: Legal Affairs.

Automatically-generated activity report over the reporting period (2022-2025 for associate professors, 2020-2025 for full professors).

This instrument concerns EPFL Faculty. Periodicity: obgoing; Responsibility: APR.

Since 2022, the quality Commission advises the EPFL Direction and management bodies on quality assurance.

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: provost (operational level: Quality Delegate). Link. 

Strategic document describing the roles and the responsibilities in quality assurance. First edition published in 2019.

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: Every 4 years; Rersponsibility: Provost (at the operational level: Quality Delegate). Link. 

Every year, unit and department heads conduct a risk assessment that evaluates the probability of a risk event occurring and the severity of that event – both before and after factoring in any mitigation measures. The most significant risks are communicated to EPFL’s Direction and the ETH Board. Should a risk event occur, the EPFL’s President informs the ETH Board. See also Lex 1.4.3.

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: yearly; Responsibility: Internal Controls and Risk Management.

The Respect Compliance Office (RCO) can be contacted by any person who feels that his or her physical or mental health and/or personal integrity have been affected by acts such as sexual harassment, mobbing, discrimination, violence, etc. 

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: RCO.

The Recueil systématique du droit fédéral (RS) is a collection of current and updated Swiss legislation.

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: ongoing; responsibility: A Chancellerie fédérale: Link.

The Satisfaction Survey took place from May 2 to 30, 2023. The results are available here.

This instrument concerns the process Managing human development. Periodicity: every 4 years; Responsibility: VPH; Link.

The School Council is the body exercising participation rights, as required in the Lex 1.2.1.

This instrument concerns the process Managing EPFL. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: EPFL School Deans.

The Section Teaching Committee works within each section to help develop study plans and exam procedures. The committee also makes sure that teaching-related rules are implemented properly, conducts assessments and suggests changes and improvements.

The Teaching Sections are free to determine the missions and the responsibilities of the Academic Committees. Usually, they act as peer reviewers, advisory board or assure that the courses included in study plans meet the required learning objectives and that the rulebook is updated. If necessary, the adjustments are proposed and further discussed with the Section Teaching Committee.

Each Teaching Section has an Advisory Board comprised of experts representing fields where its graduates are likely to work, whether in industry, academia or the public sector. The committees provide recommendations on the design and improvement of degree programs.

This instrument concerns the process Teaching and learning. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: EPFL teaching Section’s Directors.

The Section Directors’ Conference (CDS) expresses its opinion on teaching issues and strategies at EPFL and takes a position in consultation procedures, particularly those relating to study plans and the assessment of knowledge. It proposes all useful measures to ensure the coordination of the sections in their actions for education.

This instrument concerns the process Teaching and Learning. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: AVP-E.

The charter sets forth the criteria EPFL has adopted to make investment decisions in a way that helps build a more sustainable future, while taking into account risks, returns and the regulatory framework. 

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: VPF.

The detailed study plans indicate, for each term, the courses to be followed, as well as available options, together with the number of hours and credits.

This instrument concerns the process Teaching and learining. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: SAC.

The Swiss Federal Statistical Office periodically carries out an online, quantitative survey of students at Swiss higher education institutions (SSEE) in order to obtain data on their living and study conditions.

This instrument concerns the process Teaching and learning. Periodicity: every 4 years; Responsibility: Federal Statistical Office. Link: SSEE.

The Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) audits EPFL’s annual consolidated financial statements and, occasionally, finance-related business processes.

This instrument concerns the process Managing finance. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: Internal Controls and Risk Management.

The target agreement is based on the EPFL’s development plan, which is aligned with the ETH Board’s strategic plan for the ETH Domain and with the strategic objectives defined by the Federal Council.

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: every 4 years; Responsibility: President and Provost Office.

Onboarding courses required to obtain a Campiro card, implemented in 2022. 

This instrument concerns all processes. Periodicity: ongoing; Responsibility: VPH.