State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)
Since 1 January 2013, federal issues pertaining to education, research and innovation are handled by the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), which was formerly known as the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA). The State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER) − which used to form part of the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) − and the Federal Office for Professional Education Technology (OPET) − which used to form part of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA) − were merged together to create the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), which now forms part of the EAER.
SERI carries out the tasks entrusted to it with the assistance of the cantons and professional partners. Its missions include in particular:
- developing a global strategic overview of the Swiss education, research and innovation system,
- maintaining and improving the quality and appeal of Switzerland's upper-secondary VET sector and tertiary-level professional education sector,
- fostering a broad and diverse range of education programmes and ensuring that academic and vocational /professional pathways and qualifications remain fully equivalent and compatible with one another,
- promoting research and innovation,
- promoting Swiss participation in international and integration networks involved education, training and innovation efforts at both the European and international levels.
The enactment of VET ordinances and the recognition of professional education also fall within its remit.
The Confederation provides financial support for the cantons and pays for up to a quarter of public expenditure for vocational and professional education and training (VPET) in accordance with the Federal Vocational and Professional Education and Training Act (VPETA, SR 412.10). In addition, it allocates subsidies in favour of services that are in the public interest.
