The World Trade Institute (WTI) is a leading academic institution dedicated to teaching and research focused on international trade and investment regulation and economic globalisation and sustainability. As a centre of excellence at the University of Bern with an international, interdisciplinary focus, we explore the interconnections between the fields of law, economics and political science.
About the Institute
The World Trade Institute (WTI)
Education, research, consultancy
The WTI combines graduate-level education, interdisciplinary research and specialised advisory services in a unique and dynamic institution. We recruit students, researchers, faculty and employees from around the world, creating a diverse culture and stimulating environment.
The WTI closely cooperates with and shares its premises with the Institute of European and International Economic Law.
Contact and location
World Trade Institute, University of Bern
Hallerstrasse 6
3012 Bern, Switzerland
Phone: +41 (0)31 631 3270
Email: inquire@wti.org
How to reach us
On foot from the central railway station:
When you arrive on the platform, do not descend into the station. Take the stairs/escalator up the west exit and follow the next stairs/escalator north. On Schanzenstrasse continue uphill for about 300 metres. Turn right on Hallerstrasse (at the Parterre Café) and walk about 50 metres. The World Trade Institute is on the opposite side of the street.
By bus from the central tram/bus stop on Bahnhofplatz:
Take bus number 12 to Länggasse and get off at 'Universität'. Continue in the direction of the bus for about 50 metres. At the corner of Hallerstrasse turn right and walk about 50 metres. The World Trade Institute is on the opposite side of the street.
History
The institute was founded upon the conclusion of the Uruguay Round of the GATT and the advent of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995. It was established in 1999 to train future practitioners and researchers from all over the world and to strengthen research capacities in areas that have an increasing impact on people's lives. The financial crisis in 2008 showed the importance of not only a stable and open multilateral trading system under the auspices of the WTO but also organisations and agreements promoting regional integration.
Vision, mission and values
Vision
- We aim to shape public policy so that international economic governance yields tangible benefits for society
- We strive to be the world's leading academic institution for studies, teaching and research in international trade and investment regulation and economic globalisation and sustainability
Mission
- We are a centre of excellence at the University of Bern
- We contribute to a better understanding of the legal, economic and political framework governing globalisation and sustainable development
- We provide cutting-edge research and scholarly outputs on frontier topics
- We attract top graduate students from around the world and give them the knowledge and skills to become tomorrow's leaders in the field of international economic governance
Values
- Openness: We share knowledge and conduct interdisciplinary research with peers worldwide
- Innovation: We generate original ideas and engage in thought leadership
- Equality: We are committed to inclusiveness and non-discrimination
- Sustainability: We aim to ensure institutional memory, continuity and knowledge transfer
Organisational setup
Click the image on the left for a larger view.
Support, tools and resources
Microsoft Outlook web access
The WTI provides employees with remote access to their email accounts, calendars and contacts. Microsoft Outlook Web Access can be accessed through any browser but we advise employees to use Internet Explorer.
Webmail for MILE students
We provide MILE Students with an @wti.org email account for the duration of their stay. The webmail client is available here, the account can be administrated here and instructions are available here.
ILIAS course management system
The WTI employs the ILIAS Course Management System of the University of Bern, a powerful open-source platform used to deliver course materials and syllabi, evaluate courses and conduct assessments. Instructions on how to log in for the first time are available here.
VPN Client and WebVPN
Students and employees of the WTI can either download the University of Bern's VPN (Virtual Private Network) client or use WebVPN to create an encrypted connection to the university network. Remote access to the network allows students and employees to use a range of electronic resources of the university. In particular, it grants access to electronic subscriptions to academic journals.
Book a classroom
The WTI's modern seminar facilities can be booked depending on availability.
Three rooms are available offering space for between 12 and 60 persons.
For reservations or further information, please contact Sandra Joseph (+41 31 631 30 79)
Job vacancies
There are no vacancies at this time. Please check back.
Living in Bern
The city of Bern
Bern, the capital of the Swiss Confederation, is home to the Swiss Government, the Swiss National Bank, Swiss Railways, Swiss Post, the University of Bern and a population of about 138,000. The city is a one-hour train ride away from Basel (home of many pharmaceutical multinationals), Zurich (one of the most important financial centres worldwide) and about two hours from Geneva, home of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and many other international organisations.
For more on what Bern has to offer check out the Bern Tourismus website.
Accommodation
The majority of students choose to book a room with the Bernese Student Lodging Association or find a room in a shared apartment. The World Trade Institute unfortunately cannot provide accommodation.
We encourage you to start looking for accommodation well in advance. The number of rooms available at the student residences and the number of rooms/apartments for rent in the Bern region is very limited. Rooms for rent in shared apartments can be found at www.wgzimmer.ch; available apartments in Switzerland can be found on this search engine www.alle-immobilien.ch. For more information, see the University of Bern website.
Health insurance
Swiss law mandates that you have health insurance during your stay in Switzerland. In the first week of the MILE and TRAIL+ programme, we'll invite a representative of a Swiss health insurer to hold a presentation. You will be able to sign up for health insurance right after the presentation. Alternatively, special plans for temporary residents can be found on the internet.
Visa and immigration
If you are an international applicant to the WTI, you should ensure that you can provide evidence of adequate funding to Swiss visa/immigration authorities. The WTI will send confirmation of your admission to study to the Bernese Migration Office. Once you arrive in Switzerland, you are required to register with them within seven days. More details will be given on your arrival.