Prabitha Urwyler

Treasurer

PD Dr. Prabitha Urwyler from Switzerland brings a distinguished international profile that combines academic excellence, innovation leadership, governance experience, and a strong commitment to inclusive development.

Her professional journey reflects a deliberate and multidisciplinary path across software development, biomedical engineering research, academic leadership, entrepreneurship, and international cooperation. In her current role as Programme Manager for Bilateral Cooperation at Innosuisse (Swiss State institution), she works at the intersection of science diplomacy, policy, and entrepreneurship, contributing to international cooperation frameworks that support research-driven innovation.

Alongside her institutional work, and in a fully independent personal capacity, she founded Bridge4Impact, a platform dedicated to thought leadership, mentoring, and capacity building. Through this initiative, she promotes inclusive strategies, ecosystem learning, and policy dialogue in emerging and transition contexts.

Her academic credentials are equally impressive. She holds a PD (Venia Docendi) in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Bern and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Basel and PSI. She has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications in the fields of biosensors, neuroscience, and gerontechnology, and previously served as Deputy Group Leader at the ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering.

Dr. Urwyler also brings valuable entrepreneurial experience as co-founder of Neurometry, a cognitive health technology company in the United Kingdom, and Nirvesh Enterprises, a health innovation initiative in India. These roles have strengthened her practical understanding of strategic planning, responsible growth, and cross-border collaboration.

Within the chess community, she serves as Board Member of the Swiss Chess Federation and Councillor to the FIDE Social Commission. Through these responsibilities, she has engaged with leaders and changemakers from many countries, contributing to social development, international dialogue, and community-building through chess.

Her record of service also includes leadership in equality and community initiatives, having served as Gender Equality Officer and Founding President of the Biomedical Engineering Club Bern. These experiences reflect her long-standing dedication to participation, fairness, and institution-building.

Her candidacy also carries added institutional value for the European Chess Union. Given ECU’s seat in Switzerland and its banking relationship with UBS, her Swiss professional and organizational background can contribute to strengthening stability, trust, and continuity in ECU’s connection with the Swiss banking system and the Union’s financial administration.

PD Dr. Prabitha Urwyler stands for professionalism, integrity, international perspective, and constructive cooperation. Her combination of governance experience, analytical depth, strategic thinking, and commitment to inclusive progress makes her a strong candidate for the position of ECU Treasurer.

She is committed to supporting the European Chess Union with responsibility, transparency, and a forward-looking approach that strengthens both institutional effectiveness and service to the European chess community.