Peter Sillén named Teacher of the Year by THS
Peter Sillén, lecturer at the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems at CBH, has been named Teacher of the Year 2025 by THS. Peter Sillén teaches business administration and is Programme Director for the Bachelor of Science programme in Technology and Economics. He has been teaching at KTH since 2011.
“What characterises Peter’s teaching is that he is committed and pedagogically skilled and inspires students to develop their own learning," THS writes in its award statement.
What does this award mean to you?
“It is incredibly gratifying and probably the response every teacher wants – proof that what you are doing is working. Several people close to me have struggled with their studies. Inspired by them, I want to be available and take time for the students. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the students for this wonderful honour.”
What’s best about being a teacher?
“I’d say it’s the appreciation from the students and all the interesting questions they ask. We also have a very good working culture here at KTH; conversations with students and colleagues inspire and motivate me all the time. There is such an incredible amount of expertise, ambition and ability flowing through the school's premises every day – it is truly a privilege to be part of it. I am actually an impatient person, but studies require structure and calm in order to create a safe environment for students to dare to try and learn. It is important to give them the conditions to grow in terms of both knowledge and self-confidence.”
“I also really enjoy the discussions at educational meetings such as Storträffen and study boards. Opinions and views may sometimes differ, but there is always a clear common ambition.”
Do you have any special memories from your years as a teacher at KTH?
“One thing I will never forget is when my trousers ripped just before I was about to teach a class. I dropped a worksheet under the desk just before the lesson was about to start, bent down, and my trousers ripped badly. My roommate offered to fix it with a stapler on the spot, if I would just stand still. I declined, went to the classroom and tried to write on the board without turning around completely. It didn't work, but the students were sensitively quiet, and no one said anything.”
– In addition, I have many memories from the past years – everything from the student who rushed to the exam completely covered in snow when the bus got stuck and he had to walk to campus, to the commitment of teachers, students and the student union in various events. Flemingsberg Job Fair, Medtech Evening, Armada, teacher dinners, intro weeks and course committees. And every week, I think of our skilled, knowledgeable, funny and always helpful colleague Mats Nilsson, who has been missed by us since the spring of 2025.
Text: Åsa Karsberg