Quality, ethics and sustainability in practice

Externally evaluated quality processes

Swiss TPH operates under the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model. In 2025, the institute achieved the 4-star “Recognised by EFQM” certification.

This externally assessed framework, comparable to the ISO 9001 standard, confirms the effectiveness of Swiss TPH’s internal processes and strategic management.

In addition, the Board of Governors commissions regular evaluations conducted by an independent External Review Board, providing strategic oversight and performance assessment.

Swiss TPH develops its four-year strategy (currently strategy 2025-2028) in close cooperation with key stakeholders and independently evaluated by the Swiss Science Council SSC (Schweizerischer Wissenschaftsrat SWR) and continuously reviews and monitors its implementation in accordance with the EFQM standards.

Financial quality at Swiss TPH is based on the accounting and reporting recommendations of Swiss GAAP FER and our financial statement is yearly audited; currently by BDO, Switzerland.

Most of our postgraduate training courses are accredited by tropEd, the Network for Education in International Health.

Swiss TPH is accredited by the Swiss Institute for Continuing Medical Education as an A institution for the training of doctors specialising in prevention and healthcare as well as travel and tropical medicine (Certificate).

The Diagnostic Centre of Swiss TPH, which offers laboratory services for the diagnosis of human parasitic diseases, is certified according to the standard EN ISO/IEC17025.

 

Research integrity, ethics and regulatory compliance

Honesty and integrity are fundamental to credible research. Swiss TPH is committed to fostering a research environment that promotes good scientific practice and strengthens a culture of integrity, accountability and continuous improvement.

As an associated institution of the University of Basel, we refer to the Regulation on scientific integrity in research and good scientific practice of the University of Basel as well as to the Principles and Procedures for Integrity in Scientific Research of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences.

All research projects involving human participants undergo structured review through our Human Participant Research Desk and are submitted to external ethics committees and, where necessary, to regulatory authorities for approval. The Swiss TPH policy for ethical clearance follows the best practice rules anchored in the Helsinki Declaration version 2024 which requests approval in the sponsor and the investigator country

Swiss TPH adheres to the Six Principles for More Effective and Equitable Research of the Swiss Alliance for Global Research Partnerships (GRP-Alliance, former KFPE) and supports the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

The Swiss TPH PhD education is overseen by the Research Commission, which safeguards scientific and operational excellence. Accreditation of the PhD Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) by the University of Basel is planned.

 

Operational sustainability

Sustainability objectives are embedded in infrastructure planning, travel policies, procurement and project implementation, ensuring responsible resource use across Swiss TPH’s global portfolio.

 

Responsible project acquisition and funding compliance

Swiss TPH applies internal review procedures for project acquisition, contracting and funding compliance.

Partnerships are assessed for

• strategic alignment 
• ethical standards 
• financial integrity 
• reputational risk 

Through this integrated system of governance, quality assurance and independent oversight, Swiss TPH provides funders, policymakers and partners with confidence that resources are managed responsibly and that activities deliver measurable and accountable impact.