ABOUT US
| Origin
The Belgian Association for Students in Switzerland was founded to tackle a perceived lack for a strong Belgian student community and a professional network that could support career development in Switzerland. It is after the well-received event at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) featuring the Belgian Ambassador Willy De Buck in November 2019 the idea of pursuing this friendly atmosphere and sense of connection turned into reality. BASS is open to any person studying in Switzerland, with a strong affiliation with or interest in the Belgian culture and society.
| Our mission
The Belgian Association for Students in Switzerland strives to:
- provide Belgium with a new generation of leaders with educational and everyday life experience in a leading European economy and society, thereby enhancing Belgian-Swiss relations;
- more broadly educate Belgian students in order to be able to fulfil the aforementioned role, and to do so in close contact with top-level peers in academia, industry and society; and
- increase the number of Belgian students in Switzerland, thereby decreasing the popularity gap with universities overseas and enhancing the integration of Belgian students within Swiss Society, Industry and Academia.
| Our values
In order for our members to fully grasp the benefits of Swiss and Belgian society, BASS aims to nurture personal development through three core values that compose a well-balanced and thriving personality. The first value of BASS is excellence, which we believe is inherent to the decision to study or work in Switzerland and the drive to move onwards. Secondly, BASS aims to nurture interdisciplinarity, in order for our members to fully reflect the increased exposure to another society and various fields of study. Thirdly, the value of international responsibility is aimed toward the perceived roles of pioneers and leadership our members will have in the Swiss-Belgian society and beyond, reflecting a can-do attitude.
| Our Board
The Board is the executive organ of BASS. It is elected on an annual basis by the General Assembly and is comprised of driven students and young professionals studying or working in Switzerland.
The Board of 2021-2022:
| Branches
Currently, the Belgian Association for Students in Switzerland consists of the Zurich branch, while members come from amongst others Zurich, St.-Gallen, Lausanne and Fribourg. In order to facilitate a common structure and a strong community for the whole of Switzerland, BASS is determined to start new branches in other student cities.
Are you interested in founding or contributing to a new branch in your city? Do not hesitate to reach out to us!