Aerial view of the campus | EPFL Jamani Caillet
The Vice Presidency for Human Development reflects EPFL’s determination to strengthen its human commitment by providing a supportive environment for every individual, whether student, faculty or staff member.
VPH vision
The vision of the Vice Presidency for Human Development (VPH) is to create:
- a benchmark of excellence, setting high standards in human development and institutional culture;
- a healthy, stimulating, and inclusive environment where, staff, and students can thrive;
- a hub for personal and professional growth, fostering continuous learning and development;
- a connected and valued community, where individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered to contribute their best;
- a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring adaptability and long-term success.
VPH missions: Three pillars to bring the VPH vision to life
- Attract, retain and promote top talent across all fields in collaboration with management while ensuring fair and appealing conditions.
- Support the members of our community throughout their entire journey, providing essential guidance and services to achieve success and enhance well-being.
- Facilitate organizational change in partnership with management while ensuring the right skills and values are upheld.
- Expand our “KeepLearning” program of internal training to benefit all staff, aligning with individual development plans and institutional needs.
- Enhance management and leadership skills to nurture top talent and support succession planning.
- Facilitate development, career mobility and long-term employability.
- Promote equal opportunities and cultivate a culture of collaboration, inclusion, respect and fairness while supporting work-life balance.
- Encourage well-being and responsible leadership to create a healthy and stimulating environment.
- Prevent and address risks related to harassment and conflicts by working with key partners to ensure a safe studying and working environment.
Key priorities for 2025-2028
The first priority is to establish and structure the new Vice Presidency, bringing together functions that were previously fragmented across the institution. This reorganization aims to create a more cohesive and collaborative structure that strengthens EPFL’s core values and fosters a unified approach to human development. A strong focus will be placed on building internal cohesion and shared purpose among the VPH units, ensuring they work seamlessly to support EPFL’s diverse, multicultural community of over 130 nationalities.
Trust and respect are at the heart of EPFL’s identity. By reinforcing shared values across all activities and encouraging open, constructive dialogue, the VPH aims to nurture a culture where all members of the community feel aligned, empowered, and supported.
To remain a flexible and attractive employer, EPFL will explore modern tools and technologies, including AI, to support more adaptive and sustainable work models. These initiatives will be designed to support operational efficiency while supporting work-life balance and employee employability and engagement.
In line with the broader EPFL objective of reducing administrative burden, the VPH will identify and implement opportunities to simplify, digitize, and optimize HR-related processes. The goal is to improve efficiency and better align services with the evolving needs of faculties, staff, and the institution as a whole.
As a responsible employer, EPFL is committed to strengthening its social and environmental responsibilities while ensuring safe, inclusive, and future-ready working and studying conditions across the campus. Beyond meeting all federal obligations, EPFL aims to serve as a role model within the Swiss academic and professional landscape—demonstrating leadership in sustainable practices, ethical governance, and employee well-being.
Clear, accessible career development pathways will be established to support long-term employability and internal mobility. Through a review and expansion of current learning and development offerings, the VPH aims to promote individual growth and create a more agile, future-ready workforce.
Empowering EPFL’s leaders and managers is key to fostering high-performing and resilient teams. A broad range of training programs and coaching opportunities will be developed to strengthen leadership capabilities, provide practical tools, and reinforce management best practices—ensuring leaders are equipped to meet evolving institutional and team needs and are aligned with expectations.
A central focus will be to embed diversity, equity, and inclusion across all institutional levels. This involves promoting a culture of trust, mutual respect, and psychological safety—ensuring that all individuals feel valued and heard. The strategy includes preventing psychosocial risks, managing conflict with empathy and professionalism, promoting equal opportunities and supporting open and inclusive dialogue.