Head of the week: "Science alone is too one-dimensional for me"
Conrad Meyer has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of Neue Zürcher Zeitung since the beginning of May
Conrad Meyer has been Chairman of the Board of Neue Zürcher Zeitung since the beginning of MayHead of the week "Science alone is too one-dimensional for me"
He says of himself that he is "a lucky man" and he probably is: Conrad Meyer, Professor of Business Administration, Director of the Institute of Accounting and Controlling and Vice-Rector for Planning at the University of Zurich, has had many things fall into his lap in life. Including the chairmanship of the NZZ Board of Directors, which he has held since the beginning of May. Meyer is relaxed about the fact that this opportunity presented itself to him, as his predecessor Eric Honegger did not seek re-election due to the Swissair turmoil: "For me it was a happy coincidence, for the Board of Directors it was a logical progression of events." Now he is tackling the task and looking ahead.
He is doing this consistently: in order to free up space for his latest mandate on the one hand and his professorship on the other, the 51-year-old is relinquishing his position as Vice-Rector of the University at the end of February 2002. Meyer wants to be able to tackle his tasks "properly", he doesn't like half measures.
This is also his curriculum: after graduating from high school, Meyer studied economics in Zurich. However, he only decided to pursue an academic career during his doctoral thesis. Of course, he has always flirted with the idea of switching to the private sector. This was also the case during his rise to become Head of Institute, Vice-Rector and Head of the "uni 2000" reform project and later Vice-Rector Planning. Is that why he dances out of line in university circles? "It's more typical that academics are not necessarily interested in the private sector - in my field, however, the combination of theory and practice is indispensable. Science alone is too one-dimensional for me.
Meyer is fascinated by both worlds: In his scientific work, the dedicated professor appreciates working with young people and motivating them. "I also enjoy writing and publishing," he adds. Appointments to the Board of Directors, meanwhile, allow him to apply and optimize strategies in practice. He is careful to ensure that every entrepreneurial action is evaluated with a view to the future.
Meyer obviously manages to juggle so many things at the same time. Is there still time for family and hobbies? "Of course, I need family life and biking or motorcycling to balance things out." One day he wants to travel through the States on his Harley, including his wife and daughter, of course.
Until then, the Chairman of the Board of Directors has other things on his plate - such as the NZZ am Sonntag project. "It will not be a seventh edition of the NZZ, but a new newspaper with its own editorial team and original design." Carole Koch
He says of himself that he is "a lucky man" and he probably is: Conrad Meyer, Professor of Business Administration, Director of the Institute of Accounting and Controlling and Vice-Rector for Planning at the University of Zurich, has had many things fall into his lap in life. Including the chairmanship of the NZZ Board of Directors, which he has held since the beginning of May. Meyer is relaxed about the fact that this opportunity presented itself to him, as his predecessor Eric Honegger did not seek re-election due to the Swissair turmoil: "For me it was a happy coincidence, for the Board of Directors it was a logical progression of events." Now he is tackling the task and looking ahead.
He is doing this consistently: in order to free up space for his latest mandate on the one hand and his professorship on the other, the 51-year-old is relinquishing his position as Vice-Rector of the University at the end of February 2002. Meyer wants to be able to tackle his tasks "properly", he doesn't like half measures.
This is also his curriculum: after graduating from high school, Meyer studied economics in Zurich. However, he only decided to pursue an academic career during his doctoral thesis. Of course, he has always flirted with the idea of switching to the private sector. This was also the case during his rise to become Head of Institute, Vice-Rector and Head of the "uni 2000" reform project and later Vice-Rector Planning. Is that why he dances out of line in university circles? "It's more typical that academics are not necessarily interested in the private sector - in my field, however, the combination of theory and practice is indispensable. Science alone is too one-dimensional for me.
Meyer is fascinated by both worlds: In his scientific work, the dedicated professor appreciates working with young people and motivating them. "I also enjoy writing and publishing," he adds. Appointments to the Board of Directors, meanwhile, allow him to apply and optimize strategies in practice. He is careful to ensure that every entrepreneurial action is evaluated with a view to the future.
Meyer obviously manages to juggle so many things at the same time. Is there still time for family and hobbies? "Of course, I need family life and biking or motorcycling to balance things out." One day he wants to travel through the States on his Harley, including his wife and daughter, of course.
Until then, the Chairman of the Board of Directors has other things on his plate - such as the NZZ am Sonntag project. "It will not be a seventh edition of the NZZ, but a new newspaper with its own editorial team and original design." Carole Koch
