February 17, 2026 · 40 years of HWZ
How Cyril Meier paved the way for HWZ into Digital Business
From 2003 until his retirement in 2018, Cyril Meier played an active role as a member of the university management team in shaping the development of HWZ, thereby laying important foundations for its current position. He designed and led the bachelor’s degree programme in communication, launched the first continuing education courses in the field of digital from 2011, and in 2016, with the HWZ Academy, developed the range of offerings for lifelong learning. In this interview, he reflects on key milestones and major challenges.
This article is part of the content series marking the 40th anniversary of HWZ. Through this series, we aim to showcase the diversity of stories from our university, as well as the topics and individuals that have shaped, and continue to shape, HWZ.
Cyril, you were involved from the very beginning when our Bachelor’s programme in Communication was established at HWZ. What motivated you at the time to set up this degree programme in the first place?
At the end of 2002, I was Director of the Swiss Public Relations Institute (SPRI). At that time, the Rector of HWZ, Hugo Götz, wanted to establish a diploma programme in public communication. For this purpose, he brought me in as an external member of the school management on a part-time basis. There was already a preliminary concept with a journalistic focus, developed by the well-known publicist Karl Lüönd. My task was to draft a definitive, work-compatible programme concept, designed to reflect the communications profession in a forward-looking way. This professional profile also included the rapidly growing field of marketing and corporate communications, so that graduates would have the best possible career prospects. At the time, this was something new: other higher education institutions were still focusing on traditional publishing studies, journalism and public relations in a full-time format. The term «Bachelor in Communication» only came into use from 2006, following the introduction of the Bologna reforms under the new Universities of Applied Sciences legislation.
You mentioned it was still a diploma programme at the time. What were the biggest challenges in establishing the programme?
The degree programme in Communication at the University of Applied Sciences, as it was officially called at the time, was scheduled to launch in autumn 2003. First, we had to develop a study concept that would be approved by the cantonal and federal authorities. At the same time, it was necessary to raise awareness of the programme – through advertisements, media work, information events, and numerous advisory meetings. There was great relief when the required minimum number of enrolments was already reached by early summer. In the autumn, we launched the programme fully booked. New lecturers had to be recruited and inducted, day-to-day operations continuously improved, and students’ concerns addressed – I did not count the overtime. In the years that followed, new enrolments rose to around 120 to 140 students each year.
In addition to the transition to the Bologna system and the subsequent re-accreditation, digitalisation also became an increasingly important topic. How did you experience this period of change?
As early as 2003, we integrated expertise in information and media technologies into the bachelor’s degree programme. When the iPhone opened up new possibilities from 2008 onwards, and platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter rapidly gained significance, it became clear that there would be a substantial need for education and further training in this area. In 2011, we became the first university in Switzerland to launch a CAS in Social Media Management. I was able to appoint Manuel C. Nappo as academic director; he later went on to become our highly successful head of the Institute for Digital Business. Further CAS programmes followed in quick succession, including Mobile Communication, Digital Risk Management and Ethics.
In 2015, you stepped down as head of what is now the Bachelor’s degree programme in Business Communications in order to establish the HWZ Academy. What were your reasons for doing so?
At that time, HWZ offered only large-scale degree and continuing education programmes. We did not yet provide targeted, shorter learning formats or specific in-house training for companies. By introducing seminars lasting from one to several days, as well as company-specific internal training, we closed this gap. Since then, the range of courses offered by the HWZ Academy has grown continuously. I hope that businesses and the public sector will give lifelong learning, especially for those aged over 50, greater priority.
You have been retired since 2018, but you remain actively involved at the association level in the field of communications. How do you assess the current challenges and opportunities in the education sector and for HWZ?
In my view, it is essential to continue nurturing the longstanding strengths of HWZ: practice-oriented and future-focused degree programmes, high standards of teaching quality, and a strong commitment to serving lecturers, students, and staff. I am very confident about the ongoing development and reputation of HWZ—especially as the pressure to innovate through AI is immense, and HWZ has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to adapt.
How has your time at HWZ influenced you? What stands out most in your memory?
I spent the 15 years prior to my retirement in 2018 working full-time at HWZ. During this period, I became more aware than ever of how crucial it is to collaborate with the right people—characterised by mutual respect, commitment, dynamism, and shared success. This may sound simple, but it is difficult to achieve in practice. All the more reason why I am grateful to have experienced these positive dynamics time and again at HWZ—with colleagues, lecturers, and students. So many dedicated people full of energy!
What headline about HWZ would you like to read one day?
HWZ graduates clearly preferred by companies – thanks to performance and practical expertise.
Thank you very much for these insights into the history of HWZ. We wish you all the best, much happiness and good health for your future endeavours!
