1st ZRL Alumni Convention ZAC 2004 a success

Zurich, Switzerland, 7 May 2004—The Zurich Research Laboratory in Rüschlikon hosted its first Alumni Convention. Former graduate students had been invited back to ZRL to meet not only their former colleagues but also the current generation of so-called pre-docs. Organized by six of ZRL's current grad students, the event provided the aspiring young scientists with information and career ideas for "life after IBM" as well as an opportunity to network with alumni.

Zurich Research Laboratory director Krishna Nathan formally opened the event with a plenary address. He first outlined how IBM and Research have changed, before going on to describe the role of services as the new focus in Research. Nathan defined services as the cross-disciplinary application of technology to solve the problems of customers.

Paul Seidler, Werner Bux and Doug Dykeman, who head ZRL’s three technical departments, then presented brief overviews of current projects. As head of Human Resources Hans Hofmann put it, the event was intended to provide “an opportunity for networking and an eye-opener for career possibilities.” Eight alumni had agreed to present insights into their current careers, which range from researcher and university professor to business consultant. Some alumni are still with IBM, others have pursued careers in academia or industry, still others have even gone on to found their own companies.

A tour of IBM’s Industry Solutions Lab, “where business meets technology,” rounded off the day, and was followed by an informal get-together.