The Role of Universities in Swiss Innovation

Fifteen consecutive years at the top of the World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) Global Innovation Index. This is no accident; it is a system that works, and Università della Svizzera italiana is an integral part of it.

Every year, WIPO's Global Innovation Index (GII) evaluates nearly 140 economies based on 80 indicators: ranging from research and development expenditure to intellectual property filings, and from venture capital activity to high-tech exports. Switzerland has led the rankings for 15 years thanks to a specific characteristic: strong collaboration among universities, research institutes, and industry. This top spot should not be viewed merely as a medal, but rather as the description of a model and a responsibility.

Universities at the centre

The latest edition of the GII introduced a specific indicator measuring the connection between universities and the economic fabric, as well as the international engagement of higher education institutions. Switzerland ranks fifth in the world on this metric. The message is clear: the value of Swiss universities is measured not only by publications but also by their real impact on the local community and the economy.

According to WIPO, Switzerland's strength lies not in the sheer scale of its investments, but in its ability to convert them into concrete results: high-value-added exports, intellectual property, and long-standing collaborations between academia and business. This is precisely what USI Transfer does every day from the Canton of Ticino.

What USI Transfer Does

The Technology Transfer Office at USI supports researchers on the path that transforms a scientific result into shared value: intellectual property protection, licensing, spin-offs, and corporate agreements. It is work that is often invisible, but structurally necessary for the ecosystem to function.

Furthermore, the global context points to a slowdown in innovation investment, with R&D spending growing at its slowest pace in a decade. In this scenario, effective technology transfer maximises the impact of what already exists, making it even more strategic.

Are you a researcher with research results to commercialise?

If you are developing something with practical applications, or simply want to understand your options before publishing, USI Transfer is available to the entire USI community. Write to [email protected]

For further insights: WIPO Global Innovation Index — wipo.int/gii-ranking/en/switzerland