An international medal recognizing our healthy campus

EPFL has officially—and with honors—joined the ranks of universities that make the health of their community a daily priority. To earn the Platinum level of the Healthy Campus designation, our school demonstrated, by providing comprehensive and well-documented answers to 100 questions, that every effort is being made to ensure the well-being of everyone who passes through its doors, including both students and staff.

With 99 out of 100 criteria met, what was the one thing EPFL was missing to achieve a perfect score? The lack of active promotion of dental health on campus. A general distribution of toothbrushes, on April1st, 2027, is planned to fill this gap ;-)

More seriously, the “Healthy Campus” program of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) aims to promote a global standard of quality regarding well-being, overall health, and a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. This certification is not limited to sports; it takes a holistic and cross-cutting approach to health, including governance, physical activity in the broadest sense, nutrition, mental and social health, the prevention of diseases, risky behaviors, and substance use, as well as environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

Depending on the number of criteria met by the institution, it can achieve different certification levels starting at 40 criteria, with medals awarded for scores above 50 points: bronze up to 65, silver up to 80, gold up to 90, and platinum up to 100.

Worldwide, 125 universities are certified in this way, more than half of which are at the Platinum level. In Switzerland, there are 8 such universities, 6 of which are in French-speaking Switzerland, and 7 have achieved the highest level.

Exchange of Best Practices

According to Albertine Kolendowska, research associate and a project manager in the Well-being and Inclusion department of the Vice-Presidency for Human Development, “this certification is a tool for enhancing quality of life on campus, as well as cohesion and a sense of belonging within our institution. It allows us to join a network and benefit from the exchange of best practices and feedback. An informal group of representatives from universities in French-speaking Switzerland has already begun meeting. Just getting to know each other better is already a huge plus.”

FISU also organizes global events to bring together certified institutions. “I wouldn’t go to the ends of the earth for that,” the project manager notes. “But FISU also shares inspiring examples on its website. And above all, this initiative has pushed us to improve communication among the stakeholders involved in health-related matters within EPFL.”

The scope of the actions undertaken across the School has thus become very clear: a great many initiatives have indeed flourished in recent years, in various areas such as mental health, physical activity, prevention, inclusion, quality of life at work and in studies, and even strengthening community ties. “More than any single measure, it is the gradual consolidation of a comprehensive and integrated approach to health that characterizes this evolution,” emphasizes Albertine Kolendowska.

According to Fernando Parente, FISU Deputy Secretary General and Director of Education and Development, “EPFL is a university of reference on a global scale, with permanent innovation as its path forward, and this is clearly visible in the assessment carried out in the Healthy Campus Program. It also has a highly regarded sports service, with a remarkably broad offer catering to every taste and level of practice, set in an excellent location right by the campus and Lake Leman."

Visible Initiatives

What remains to be done to maintain this level and continue making progress? “In particular, we want to strengthen initiatives promoting mental health and an inclusive, stimulating, and well-being-friendly study and work environment. One of our goals is to improve the visibility, consistency, and accessibility of the services and initiatives offered to the community,” concludes Albertine Kolendowska.

The Health Days, which begin Monday, September 28, and run for two weeks, featuring numerous activities on the EPFL and Unil campuses, fully illustrate this ambition. This event provides a unique opportunity to bring together stakeholders committed to promoting health, while raising the visibility of their initiatives within the community. Check out the program!