Finally! Under Sweden’s upcoming budget proposal, the government is going to increase the payment to universities for students in engineering and sciences. This is not a day too early, and the investment in engineering education programmes is very welcome indeed. Since the ‘price tag’ system was introduced 30 years ago, the NT funding per student … Continue reading “More money to engineering and science and high score in internationalization”
In Sweden, higher education institutions are national concerns as they are funded through taxes and the state is the principal for the vast majority of institutions. This means that, ultimately, the development of the academic sector is based on political decisions made by Sweden’s parliament and government. What is also needed, therefore, is a higher … Continue reading “A higher education policy reflecting the sector´s reality is needed”
After six months as University President at KTH, the summer break is almost upon us. But first a few inspiring and, I hope, thought-provoking days at the political week in Almedalen, where everything from urban planning to academic freedom and strategic partnerships will be on the agenda. It’s a source of pride and joy to … Continue reading “In search of debates and vacation”
This week, Sweden’s government decided on a new board of directors for KTH. Johan Sterte, County Governor of Västmanland, is proposed as the new Chair. He has previously been president of Karlstad University, Luleå University of Technology and (what was then) Växjö University. So he is a person with long and impressive experience from the … Continue reading “New board with a shorter mandate period”
To bring about change and solve actual problems in the world today, education and innovation need to come together. The way to achieve this is through challenge-driven education, an approach whereby courses and programmes are shaped around genuine societal challenges. The education is often project-led, and can relate to anything from urban planning to clean … Continue reading “Challenge-driven education the focus in Africa”
