35 years of excellent teaching

You have been employed at ETH Zurich for 40 years. Why have you stayed so long?

It just happened. I was in the final year of my doctoral thesis when the institute offered me the opportunity to take over the PC Practical Course. I originally had planned to do a research stay in Moscow. I already had everything I needed, including a visa, but it didn't work out for other reasons, and I didn't try again.

What was your best experience here at ETH Zurich?

My best experience was that I realized most of what I set out to do. I had a lot of freedom. One of the great things about ETH is that the courses have no curriculum. Amazingly, this works well and the lecturers don't just think: "I'll do a minimum because I don't have any rules". I don't think you’ll ever experience anything like that in your studies here. That's a good sign, and the students certainly contribute to this atmosphere.

What was it like when you took over the practical course?

When I did my doctorate, there was usually a postdoc or a doctoral student who had to organize the PC Practical Course. Because they needed more time, they only took care of the organization, not of the content. It was a lot of effort, but still the result could have been better. The students complained about the assistants, the assistants complained about the lack of instructions, and the technicians complained about the inadequate maintenance of the equipment. So, the institute management decided that someone had to be responsible for the practical course full-time – a big decision because it costs a lot of money. My doctoral supervisor came to me and asked if I would be interested in a life position. I was probably the right person at the right time.

You talked about the need for more instructions. Is that why you wrote a course book?

When I took over the PC Practical Course, everything was written on a typewriter and had to be photocopied. Nobody had a computer. I had to compile all the scripts and take them to a print shop in the HG [ETH main building]. In the end, I had a bicycle trailer full of paper and pushed it from CHN to HG and back. The problem with the typewriter was that you constantly had to rewrite and reprint large sections of text as soon as you made any changes. I was often busy with this. As a novelty, I wanted a course book illustrated with measurement results from our students or me. This meant less paper and, for me, peace of mind for a few years before the next revision.

Takuya Segawa will now take over your position. How is the transition going?

Very good. I am convinced that Takuya will manage this practical course very well. He has the great advantage of having a broad background. Last year, he was also able to try out various experiments. Much has already been prepared that he can take over and build on. I must thank our institute for hiring and paying someone a year in advance to do this work alongside me. This cannot be taken for granted.

Do you already have plans for what you want to do in your retirement?

Yes, of course. I want to work more in calligraphy again and will attend more courses, including international ones. Apart from that, I'm not making any big plans; things always turn out differently anyway. The last few years have shown that you have to be flexible.

Can you tell us more about calligraphy?

I have always loved looking at old books, scripts, and handwriting. At some point, my wife sent me to a calligraphy course. In the last lesson, a professional calligrapher came to visit. She wrote English calligraphy, which is characterized by very fine lines and broad sweeping strokes. As she wrote, it scratched and splashed, creating very decorative effects. It was great to watch. I still attend courses led by her today. I have also attended courses with other calligraphers, some of whom are now world-famous. I want to cultivate a hobby that challenges me and has a small CO2 footprint, and I want to do something with my hands. I want to be able to write the script myself and develop it further.

Nowadays, I occasionally do commissioned work, but mostly, I do cards for birthdays or Christmas or such things. That gives me pleasure. It is not great art, but something that is an individual, unique piece. And I also love receiving them from other calligraphers

What are your thoughts when you leave now?

It was a good time, but I also feel it’s a good time to leave. Even more so because I have a successor. I'm also pleased that we have a workshop and have had a very good electronics technician for the practical course for a few years now: Tiago. It all works without a lot of bureaucracy. Even people who have worked in famous places abroad say it’s paradise here.

Finally, do you have a tip for young people in Academia?

Enjoy doing what interests you, and don’t think you won't need this or that. Life is unpredictable. When I started studying, I had no idea what direction I would take. Something happens, and suddenly, everything is different. Most doctoral students would probably say that it is a coincidence that they are here at ETH now. They simply took advantage of life's opportunities. My advice is not to always think about your career. It comes automatically when you are committed.