“What I like about this position is that I can support others”
Maintaining a dialogue with those around him and being there for other people runs like a common thread through the life of Clemens Walter. A portrait of the new President of VSETH, the Union of Students at ETH Zurich.
Clemens Walter grew up in Küttigen near Aarau. He has always been interested in technology, so for a long time he thought about doing an apprenticeship as a physics laboratory technician, but he decided to go to baccalaureate school in order to keep his options open. At the Alte Kantonsschule in Aarau, he says he was “not an outstanding student” when you look at his grades – but he was an active one. “I always enjoyed taking part in lessons,” he recalls.
Clemens was in no doubt that he wanted to study at ETH Zurich. So instead of an apprenticeship as a physics lab technician, perhaps a study programme in theoretical physics? No, he opted to study Electrical Engineering instead. “This requires extensive basic knowledge of physics, but is more practical in its orientation,” he explains. “At the bachelor’s level, it’s also more applied than a Computer Science degree.” Having reached Master’s level, he now does devote a lot of time to computer science.
Clemens is part of the cohort that began their studies in autumn 2019, six months before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. “I was really lucky,” he says, looking back, because “it’s in the first semester that you find the coursemates who then accompany you through your whole study programme.”
Membership in the student association
He soon joined the AMIV student association and became a semester representative. “It was interesting to see that some professors take student feedback more seriously than others,” he says as he recalls his entry into student and university politics. He was responsible for IT on the AMIV Board for two semesters before getting increasingly involved in university politics as Vice-President and, as such, also contributing to VSETH.
VSETH and student associations
The Union of Students at ETH Zurich (VSETH) represents the concerns of students in ETH committees. It drafts action papers and statements regarding consultations on new programme regulations – as well as organising the biggest student parties at the university.
As the umbrella association of students, VSETH is made up of student associations and committees. While the committees provide cross-programme services, student associations represent the students of their respective degree programmes, offering support during the programme and organising a series of excursions, talks and parties.
Clemens originally wanted to become a member of the VSETH Board. Since no one was running for president, however, he decided to take on the role. “I like the breadth of responsibilities it entails – from university policy to internal communication,” he says, explaining his motivation. “What I particularly like about this position is that I can support others.”
Fairness and equality as guiding values
What matters to Clemens is fairness and equality in the broadest sense – from equal opportunities in the university environment to the global level. In that context, the careful use of resources has always been very important to him. “I used to help out at a repair café, doing things like replacing cables on irons and other appliances.”
The office of President doesn’t leave much time for side jobs of this kind. To relax, Clemens does twice-weekly sessions of aikido, a Japanese martial art that he also teaches to children. “It needs to be compatible with the position,” he says. He also travels a lot by bike, including during the holidays. This summer, for example, he cycled to Bordeaux with his brother.
In the coming year, he will be particularly preoccupied with PAKETH: “This is where VSETH can and must exert its greatest influence,” says Clemens. The project is essential, he says, because it affects the future of all prospective ETH students. What’s more, he adds: “It only affects ETH, unlike the fight against higher tuition fees, for example.” When it comes to the latter, the nationwide union of students VSS takes the lead.
Clemens has already devoted a great deal of time to PAKETH. He thinks the introduction will be quite turbulent. “Many processes at ETH are very slow, and PAKETH will bring huge changes to the university.” He therefore calls on all those involved and affected to prepare well for autumn 2027. There are still many details to clarify. In the coming year, he wants to get fully involved in this project and incorporate the student perspective. “PAKETH is coming,” says the VSETH President, “and hopefully in 10 years’ time, we’ll all be grateful for this reform.”
Further information
on VSETH and the new Board can be found on the VSETH websiteAlways up to date
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