The University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland has chosen institutional continuity and the expertise it has acquired over time. In yesterday's meeting, February 24, the Board of Directors University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) has appointed Daniela Willi-Piezzi new director of the Department of Education and Learning / Higher School of Pedagogy (DFA/ASP). He is scheduled to take office on May 1, 2026.
The decision comes after a rigorous selection process, which saw the participation of numerous highly qualified candidates. This, according to the SUPSI Council, confirms the strategic importance of the Department of Education and Learning, a central body for teacher training in Ticino and for the coordination between the professional university and the cantonal school system.
An academic journey between economics and pedagogy
Born in 1972, Daniela Willi-Piezzi has built her academic profile at the intersection of economics and didactics. After studying economics with a specialization in pedagogy and didactics for higher education at theUniversity of St. Gallen, began research and consulting at the Institute for Economics and Social Sciences at the same university. In this context, she participated in projects related to the training of teachers, corporate trainers, and school principals.
His doctorate, earned in 2002 at St. Gallen, marked the beginning of an intense teaching career. In subsequent years, he taught at universities and universities of applied sciences in German-speaking Switzerland, expanding his scope to include academic governance. His positions include Head of Teaching and Teaching Quality, as well as a member of the Teaching Commission at the Kalaidos Fachhochschule of Zurich.
The experience at SUPSI and the management of Basic Training
The entrance to the SUPSI Her career dates back to 2005, when she was a professional lecturer at the Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care. Four years later, she was awarded the title of adjunct professor. This transition preceded her appointment, in 2020, as Director of Basic Training, a position entrusted to her by the SUPSI Council.
During this mandate, Daniela Willi-Piezzi closely followed the development and innovation of the Bachelor's and Master's programs, paying particular attention to quality monitoring and continuous curriculum improvement. At the same time, she promoted the value of professionally focused university education, a distinctive element of the SUPSI model in the Swiss academic landscape.
A significant aspect of its work has been support for studies: from the introduction of tools and policies to promote the reconciliation of education, work, and private life, to targeted measures to combat dropout, a phenomenon affecting all Swiss universities. This framework also includes the focus on engaging the student body, actively participating in quality assessment processes and benefiting from a growing number of extracurricular activities.
The priorities of the new mandate
According to the SUPSI Council, the new director of the DFA/ASP was impressive due to her professional skills, leadership qualities, and in-depth knowledge of the Swiss higher education system. A particularly appreciated aspect was the clarity with which Daniela Willi-Piezzi outlined the objectives and priorities for her first 18 months in office.
Among these, the desire to strengthen dialogue with Ticino's schools stands out, through ongoing dialogue and direct engagement with the region's needs. The stated goal is to encourage active participation by school stakeholders, consolidating the role of the DFA/ASP as a point of reference for teacher training and pedagogical innovation in the Canton.
An appointment marked by responsibility
Leading the Department of Education and Learning / Graduate School of Pedagogy carries a significant institutional responsibility, at a time when the education system is faced with structural, digital, and social transformations. The SUPSI Council's decision fits within this context, enhancing a profile that combines academic experience, quality management, and attention to the human dynamics of learning.
In offering its official best wishes, the Council thanked Daniela Willi-Piezzi for her work over the past five years as Director of Basic Training. From May 1, 2026, the new Director of SUPSI will be called upon to translate this experience into the leadership of the DFA/ASP, a key role for the future of teacher training in Ticino.
