Guido McCombie becomes new President of the FHNW Directorate

The University Council of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW has elected Prof. Dr. Guido McCombie as the new President of the Executive Board. He will take up his new position on January 1, 2027.

Broad experience in teaching, research and leadership

Prof. Dr. Guido McCombie completed his secondary and specialist teacher training at the University of Zurich in 1999 and obtained a degree in general psychology and developmental psychology, education and philosophy in 2009. He also completed his doctorate in psychology at the University of Zurich in 2012. After several years as a secondary school teacher and research assistant at the University of Zurich, he worked in various roles at the University of Teacher Education St. Gallen from 2010 to 2019 - as a lecturer, in research, as head of the study area and in other management functions.

From 2019 to 2022, McCombie headed the Institute of Secondary Level I and II at the FHNW School of Teacher Education. Since 2022, he has been Director of the FHNW University of Teacher Education, where he has prudently managed the ongoing reorganization and, together with the university management, ensured a high degree of stability and reliability.

Convincing personality in a demanding selection process

Markus Jordi, President of the UAS Council, states: «We are delighted with the election of Prof. Dr. Guido McCombie as the new President of the Executive Board. In an extremely demanding and competitive search process, he was able to prevail against strong external competition. He impressed us with his personality as well as his proven specialist and leadership skills, which are of crucial importance for the performance of this central function.»

The succession plan for the management of the FHNW School of Teacher Education has already been initiated and is being systematically pursued. If no successor has been appointed by the time of the change of function, an interim head will be appointed, who will be closely supported by McCombie.

Bergamaschi retires after 16 years of service

Prof. Dr. Crispino Bergamaschi, the current President of the Executive Board, will retire at the end of 2026. During his 16 years in office, he has had a lasting impact on the development of the UASNW. Thanks to his strategic foresight and prudent operational management, the UASNW was able to develop successfully and consolidate its strong position.

The FHNW comprises ten universities with faculties such as Applied Psychology, Architecture, Building and Geomatics, Design and Art, Computer Science, Life Sciences, Music, Teacher Education, Social Work, Technology and Environment, and Business. Around 14,500 students are enrolled at the FHNW, and over 1,300 lecturers impart practical knowledge in 34 Bachelor's and 25 Master's degree programs as well as in numerous continuing education courses. The campuses are located in the four sponsoring cantons of Aargau, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt and Solothurn.

Source: www.fhnw.ch