"One of the most challenging things will be juggling the many tasks"

Nic Cantieni grew up in Bonaduz near Chur, where he also attended primary school. At grammar school, he discovered his love of the Natural Sciences and particularly enjoyed maths and physics. The passionate cello player was also enthusiastic about music lessons.

In 2020, Nic came to ETH Zurich to study Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. In his final year of his Bachelor's degree, he became involved in the AMIV as a treasurer. The student association represents the interests of students in two departments. Nic has now completed his first year of his Master's degree and will be representing the interests of all ETH students for the next twelve months.

Nic Cantieni, what fascinates you about university politics?
I find it not only fascinating, but also very important. It helps to ensure that the exchange between students and ETH works, at all levels. The student associations know their respective departments and their management very well. The VSETH, in turn, knows the Executive Board and the administration of the ETH. I think this is something very special and a privilege that allows us to communicate with each other very precisely and to voice our concerns in the right place.

You got involved in university politics through the student association. How did that come about?
The AMIV is very present among the students in my department and the mechanical engineers. On the one hand through its events, but also through the exam preparation courses it offers. I learnt that they need a board member to take care of the finances. As I had always been involved in voluntary work at secondary school and was already a treasurer of the Graub¨¹nden Young Orchestra, it was clear to me that I would do this job.

You were only on the AMIV Board for one year. Did you then lose interest in this job?
[laughs] No, but that's how the AMIV works. It's actually almost a tradition that you only do the job for a year. It's quite a time-consuming job alongside your studies. However, the turnover is also important for us because it means that new people are always joining the Board and no fixed structure is formed. Finally, the transfer of knowledge is also much easier if the handover takes place after a year. Then you can still remember how and what you did the whole day. That would be more difficult after several years.

And how did you come to VSETH?
The AMIV and VSETH have offices in the same building, so you get to know each other. I then joined a group at the VSETH that dealt with finances, budgeting and auditing, which is how I grew into the VSETH.

Is that what motivated you to run for the presidency?
Yes, exactly. I had the opportunity to gain an insight into university politics in the spring, I'm a member of the University Assembly and I now know VSETH quite well. I know the issues that concern the association and I'm looking forward to being fully committed to the students for a whole year.

You succeed a woman on the VSETH Executive Board and you study in a department that is characterised by a high proportion of men. How important is diversity to you?
Diversity is very important to me, as it is to the vast majority of students. However, diversity has different aspects. It is not limited to sex or gender issues, but also includes social and cultural differences. I think it's important to consider all these aspects when talking about diversity. You explicitly mentioned the male quota, which is indeed high in our department, as in most engineering departments. My goal is to increase and appreciation of diversity in everyday life at ETH through our projects for networking and support among students.

Let's talk about other issues that will occupy you in the coming year. There's the PAKETH project, which will fundamentally change study programmes, the increase in fees for foreign students, and at the same time the lack of space due to the sharp rise in student numbers. Where will you prioritise?
Yes, there are a lot of issues going on, and fortunately we are a strong team on the VSETH Board. Tuition fees will certainly be the big issue until the end of the year, at least until the final decisions have been made. PAKETH has already kept the VSETH very busy over the last two or three years. Implementation is now slowly beginning, which will be exciting. At the moment, PAKETH is still just a piece of paper and we will see how the idea takes shape. There will certainly be one or two challenges. Another thing that will certainly play a role is our "wiegETHs" survey, which we conduct every five years. We are currently analysing the results of this year's survey. It will give us indications as to where we need to take action and how we can better support students. And perhaps also where we can take corrective action with the reform of the academic year.

The decision on fees for students with previous education abroad seems to have been made after both chambers of parliament decided that they should be at least three times higher.
It seems that our arguments have not been heard. As a student association, we have clearly spoken out against financing education through higher tuition fees. If you want to continue to attract the best students despite high fees, you need more scholarships. At the same time, higher prices raise expectations, for example in terms of student-staff ratio. From an institutional point of view, there is also the fact that you become dependent. At the moment, several international universities with high fees are having financial problems. In terms of realpolitik, however, it will really be a question of how this is implemented. Will the rules also apply to students from EU countries? What transitional regulations will there be? What will happen to existing students? How will the money from the higher tuition fees be used for education?

As President of the VSETH, you have a great deal of responsibility in these matters. What do you have the greatest respect for in all the tasks that come your way?
I think one of the most challenging things will be juggling the many and varied tasks, all of which are important and urgent. This also includes the balancing act of doing justice to all the people who want something from the VSETH President and at the same time making a difference on a strategic level, i.e. initiating something long-term. At some point, the day simply comes to an end.

And what are you looking forward to the most?
To exchange ideas with as many people as possible: With students, be it at events that we organise or at university policy discussions. But also discussions with ETH members, for example with the Executive Board. In my role, it's about collecting and coordinating concerns and putting them in the right place. I'm really looking forward to that.