Aleksandar Popov-Bärtsch

“As a major destination for upper secondary school graduates, the University of Zurich bears a great responsibility. It offers these young talents an environment that further hones their critical thinking skills and prepares them to tackle the pressing issues of the future. As a member of the Board of the University, I see my role as a bridge between academic freedom and institutional responsibility, and I am committed to ensuring that the autonomy of the higher education institution is put to use effectively. I envision a university that is deeply integrated into society, one that remains courageous and recognizes that first-class research and first-class teaching are two sides of the same coin.”

Aleksandar Popov-Bärtsch studied English literature and linguistics, general history, and British and North American history at UZH and earned his PhD in English linguistics. He holds an Upper Secondary Teaching Diploma. At the start of his professional career, he worked at the vocational and continuing education center in Rapperswil-Jona (BWZ Rapperswil-Jona), where, among other roles, he served as head of office for seven years. Since 2009, he has been an English teacher at the Zürcher Oberland cantonal school and served as its President from 2018 to 2026. From 2022 to 2026, he headed HSGYM, the interface organization for upper secondary schools and higher education institutions in Zurich.