Several members of the Swiss Alumni Group were honoured to attend a dinner held in celebration of the visit of Mr. Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, and his delegation on Friday, July 3, 2026.

The evening took place at the prestigious Vancouver Club and proved to be a double celebration. Just one day earlier, the Swiss national football team had secured a convincing 2–0 victory over Algeria, adding a festive sporting dimension to the occasion. The guest list included representatives from Vancouver's academic, business, and cultural communities, all sharing strong ties to Switzerland. In total, approximately 90 guests attended the event.

The evening began with remarks from Switzerland's Ambassador to Canada, Mr. Olaf Kjelsen, who introduced President Parmelin. In his address, President Parmelin highlighted the deep academic, economic, and cultural connections that unite Switzerland and Canada. He spoke about opportunities to further strengthen existing partnerships and develop new avenues of cooperation. His speech was complemented by several well-timed sporting references, drawing parallels with the Swiss national team's performance at the FIFA World Cup, much to the delight of the audience.

Before departing, President Parmelin graciously took time to meet guests and pose for photographs, including with members of the Swiss Alumni Group. It was during this informal gathering that we had the pleasure of presenting him with our gift: his very own EPFL mug.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Swiss Consul General Thomas Schneider and the entire team at the Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver (especially Tamara Shtanova) for including us in such a unique and memorable evening. Their warm hospitality and impeccable organization made the event a truly special occasion for all who attended.