EPFL celebrates its 1,565 Master's graduates of 2026

It is always a deeply moving moment to see the SwissTech Convention Center full to capacity with an elegantly dressed crowd of beaming faces. The energy in the room emanating from the new graduates celebrating such a crucial milestone: earning a Master’s degree from EPFL. On Saturday, 3 October, 1'565 diplomas were awarded for 2026, with nearly as many graduates able to gather people gathered on campus, sharing who shared this unforgettable moment with their families, friends, and teachers.

The first part of the ceremony took place with everyone gathered together under the spotlights of the STCC and was punctuated by music from a band belonging to the EPFL student association Musical. EPFL President Anna Fontcuberta i Morral set the stage: “A degree is not a destination. It is a map handed to you just before you set foot in unfamiliar territory.” But that is not all: “Your assets and strengths, your personality and your values serve as a kind of compass.”

The map and compass metaphor also resonated with Nicolas Cudré-Mauroux, an EPFL graduate in materials science and now Chief Technology Officer at Sicpa, who has just been appointed Professor of Practice at EPFL. In his address to the stars of the day, he offered thoughtful and relevant advice, expressing his confidence in a generation that is not immune to the challenges of its time. For him, interdependence is a key factor. He reminded the graduates that “if everyone follows their own path, the greatest advances are rarely achieved alone.”

Before sending the graduates off to explore these new territories, it was time to celebrate some outstanding achievements and to present the annual awards. Three distinguished figures were awarded the title of Doctor honoris causa by EPFL. Unable to attend due to his training schedule, renowned skier Marco Odermatt addressed the audience in a video message, as did Tsu-Jae King Liu, President of the National Academy of Engineering. She will visit EPFL on 16 November for a Campus Lecture. Juan Carlos de la Llera Martin, Rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, meanwhile, wished the former Master’s students a bright future in a particularly moving address.

Six graduates were invited onto the stage to great applause to recognise their outstanding and impressive grades and achievements. Clément Pit-Claudel, Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Computer and Communication Sciences, received the Award for Best Teaching. Always closely involved in organising the event, AGEPoly then handed out the Polysphère awards, while EPFL Alumni honoured Michèle Reigner, Head of R&D at Rolex Watch Manufacturing and Nexthink co-founders Patrick Hertzog and Pedro Bados with Alumni Awards.

Finally, for the fifth time, EPFL recognised exceptional contributions made by EPFL employees to the EPFL community. This year’s Outstanding Commitment Award celebrates two remarkable individuals. The first is Philippine Milward, a doctoral student and, above all, a voice for her peers and for the scientific community. She even took to the stage in her first-aid uniform, straight from duty, to receive her award. The second is Pierre Wets, who for more than 20 years has helped students understand some of the most complex phenomena in physics by translating them into hands-on experiments.

In the afternoon, the graduates joined their respective sections for group celebrations and for official photo sessions to capture the magic of this unique day.