The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Nobel winner Mayor feted at home university

Swiss astrophysicist Michel Mayor
Swiss astrophysicist Michel Mayor, Nobel Prize 2019 in Physics, arrives at the ceremony Dies Academicus, at the University of Geneva Keystone / Salvatore Di Nolfi

Nobel Prize winner Michel Mayor was the star attraction as he attended the Dies Academicus at his alma mater, Geneva University, on Friday.

The Swiss and his colleague Didier Queloz were jointly awarded the Nobel PrizeExternal link in Physics for “the discovery of an exoplanet orbiting a solar-type star” on Tuesday. They shared the prize with Canadian-American cosmologist James Peebles.

+ Read more about the Nobel announcement here

Mayor was back in Geneva on Friday for the eventExternal link which celebrates the university’s founding and includes a prize-giving ceremony, receiving a standing ovation as he came in.

External Content

He was also congratulated by many notable figuresExternal link in Swiss academia, including Sarah Springmann, rector of the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, which itself has 21 Nobel Prize laureatesExternal link (who have or had a connection to the university).

External Content

+ Why does Switzerland have so many Nobel Prize winners

At a press conference, Mayor explained that he was in Spain on a lecture tour when news of his win came in – there had hardly been any rumours this year so he decided not to wait on tenterhooks in Geneva. He was waiting an at airport. “It was a shock and his computer “exploded” with messages of congratulation from around the world. “I haven’t yet had the time to read everything,” Mayor admitted.

Among the messages was one from University of Geneva rector Yves Flückiger, who said that it would be great if Mayor could attend the Dies Academicus (Queloz sent a video message). “My Spanish colleagues were understanding,” Mayor said.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

30-year-old charged with drone flight at Women's European Championships

More

Man charged with flying drone at women’s Euro 2025

This content was published on A man flew a drone around the venue on Wednesday evening during the first match of the Women's EURO 2025 in St. Gallen. The 30-year-old violated the absolute ban on flying during match days. He was reported to the police.

Read more: Man charged with flying drone at women’s Euro 2025
257 Swiss companies are members of the SBTi

More

More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative

This content was published on A total of 257 companies from Switzerland have signed up to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). In doing so, they are committing to CO2 reduction targets that are compatible with the Paris Climate Agreement.

Read more: More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative
Chaka Khan 'and friends': an evening that would have pleased Quincy Jones

More

Montreux Jazz Festival honours Quincy Jones

This content was published on American artist Chaka Khan ‘and friends’ opened the 59th Montreux Jazz Festival on Friday. For over three hours, their show, dedicated to their friend and mentor Quincy Jones, thrilled the audience,

Read more: Montreux Jazz Festival honours Quincy Jones

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR