State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation


The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI within the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER is the federal government's specialised agency for national and international matters concerning education, research and innovation policy.
The SERI has 280 members of staff and controls an annual budget of around CHF 4.5 billion. The head of the SERI is State Secretary Martina Hirayama.

Tasks

Numerous public and private stakeholders contribute to Switzerland’s federally structured system of education, research and innovation. They are responsible for performance, funding, legislation and strategic management. As the Confederation’s specialised agency for the ERI system, State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation has the following remit:
SERI pursues its remit in consultation with the cantons, professional organisations, higher education institutions and bodies as well as with other stakeholders involved in the promotion of research and innovation. SERI is responsible for relations with national and international authorities and institutions. It also represents the Confederation at national and international forums. In addition, it is the national contact point for the recognition of foreign VET, PET or UAS qualifications, handling coordination between the various agencies involved. It is responsible for recognition of baccalaureates issued by cantonal baccalaureate schools. Finally, it works to ensure the comparability of VET and PET qualifications at both the national and international level.

Resources

SERI has an annual budget for education, research and innovation of around CHF 4.5 billion.

History

SERI was formed from a merger of the State Secretariat for Education and Research and the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology on 20 December 2012, and it began its activities on 1 January 2013. The entire range of federal activities in education, research and innovation now take place under the auspices of the broader-based Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research.