About Us
Mission Statement of IAAS Switzerland
The „International Association of students in Agricultural and related Sciences“ Switzerland (IAAS Switzerland), is an involved committee of the “IAAS International”. We are interested in subjects related to Agri-Food-Chain. At the heart IAAS International is composed of students looking for an interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge with like-minded people.
Board Members
Chris Liao
National Director
Tasks
The National Director (ND) guides IAAS Switzerland and coordinates all the activities. He is the contact for the ETH and the international IAAS commitees. He has the overview of national and international activities.
Ladina Gähler
External Relations
Tasks
The External Relations is responsible for the communication between the alumni and the IAAS, as well as for the external relations. She is also in charge of sponsorship and therefore the contact person within IAAS in all matters related to event-sponsoring.
Lukas von Boetticher
Finance
Tasks
The Finance is responsible for planning budgets, handling all transactions regarding IAAS events or exchange program, and presenting financial statements to the general assembly. Furthermore, IAAS also financially supports our members going to international IAAS gatherings.
Pascal Janssen
Expro Coordinator
Tasks
The Expro Coordinator is responsible for the coordination of internship opportunities in Switzerland. For international students, who would like to do an internship in Switzerland, and also for Swiss students, who want to go abroad, he is the person to contact.
Hanna Zhao
Communication
Tasks
The Communication is responsible for the IAAS website and the different social media platforms. She makes sure that upcoming events are announced and document all of these with pictures.
Swiss Comittee Tasks
Social events
With the social events the contact among the local participants is strengthend. The main goal is to get to know each other better and have fun. Also the contact with the Alumni is maintained trough the social evenings.
National Seminars
Subjects from special interested for the local committees are treated during seminars. The seminars range from one evening in form of debates with experts to a semester theme. This includes also visits to companies and regions
The daily business
Every two weeks the executive board meets for an update and discussion related to the IAAS Switzerland.
Other activities
Of course, IAAS Committees all over the world also organize various other activities in their universities like (international) motivation weekends, tours, short seminars and/or visits to companies, lectures and debates, social evenings etc.
International Community Tasks
Annual World Congress
Every year in summer, a member country organizes the Annual Congress, which consists of sessions of the General Assembly and a seminar. During the General Assembly all decisions affecting the association are discussed during working groups, and subsequently voted upon. Furthermore the participants take the chance of having such an international group to discuss in forums about (agricultural) hot topics together with their fellow students from all over the world. The seminar usually deals with a specific (agricultural) topic and includes excursions, visits, lectures, social activities and a round tour of an area in the organizing country.
Regional Directors Meetings
The Regional Director’s Meetings are held annually between two consecutive Congresses, and bring together delegates of all the countries of the region (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America). The aim is to get to know each other, and to discuss matters of the association. These meetings usually also include a variety of social events and activities. The European Directors Meeting (EDM) is one of these meetings. It takes place every year in December/January.
Subregional Meetings
The region of Europe is divided in four subregions. Each Subregion meets twice a year in a rotating system, again to get to know each other and discuss matters of the association, but this time on a less official and more personal basis.
Exchange Programme
Every year in summer, a member country organizes the Annual Congress, which consists of sessions of the General Assembly and a seminar. During the General Assembly all decisions affecting the association are discussed during working groups, and subsequently voted upon. Furthermore the participants take the chance of having such an international group to discuss in forums about (agricultural) hot topics together with their fellow students from all over the world. The seminar usually deals with a specific (agricultural) topic and includes excursions, visits, lectures, social activities and a round tour of an area in the organizing country.
International Seminars
Seminars deal with specific topics in agriculture and its related areas. They are organised by national or local IAAS committees. During a week up to two weeks, participants gain an experience by learning and discussing problems with students and professionals from other countries. Reports are made and distributed.
Exchange Weeks
Exchange Weeks are organised by two different countries. Groups of students from these countries visit each other and participate in a week full of excursions, visits and social and cultural events organized by the host country.