Professor Lina Bertling Tjernberg, appointed coordinator for lifelong learning
Sweden's universities have received an increased mandate from the Government for Lifelong Learning. EECS's Head of school has appointed Professor Lina Bertling Tjernberg to this important role.
Congratulations on the appointment as coordinator for lifelong learning at EECS, how does it feel?
"Thanks! It feels good. I have wanted to get more involved in strategic work at the school and this is a new role where I believe my experiences and strengths can be used in a good way."
You are a professor in Power Grid Technology, has been a member of the government's National Coordination Council for Smart Grids, and are an international expert and advisor on energy issues. What will this role entail?
"My role will be to contribute to building a long-term business at KTH for us to succeed in this development. We have a core competence within our faculty that can wisely benefit society. The topics we touch on at EECS are precisely in the transition for a sustainable society, where electrification and digitization are major trends where we sit on a unique competence. This transition is just one example of the need for new knowledge in a society where we could fill a knowledge gap and offer further education."
The lifelong learning system presupposes flexible educational paths and that the individual knows what opportunities there are and what requirements are set for different educations. How do we get there?
"These are good questions with no easy answers. We will not be able to solve this ourselves, but I see that these are issues we will work with jointly within KTH. We will need to work in parallel with developing new routines and processes in work with lifelong learning, at the same time as we also start by offering these types of new courses. In particular, I believe that further education will be a very important area in the future, where our industrial partners will be an important target group as well as our alumni."
Your assignment is currently for one year, what will be your main focus with such a short time?
"This is not a one-year assignment, but we are at the start of a restructuring of our business. The universities of Sweden have received an extended assignment for so-called lifelong learning. We need to set up new processes, new roles, etc. to handle this, which of course takes time. Initially, for example, we need to present that we offer education in a similar way we do with undergraduate education. In the coming year, I see that we will need to create a new platform and processes, but also to develop first pilot courses. We are now working on a course for Scania which will be given in the spring."
A few years ago, you said in an interview that you have the most fun job in the world, what makes it so fun to work at EECS?
"Yes, it is true. For all of us, of course, work as well as life is daunting at times. The parts I can always fall back on and find back passions in my work are the core of the constant development and stimulus. Especially in the meeting with all students, guest researchers and colleagues, but also in constant technological development. Focusing my research on electric power applications that I have done has been an extremely stimulating journey. There is no chance of feeling stagnant. We can see enormous potential in development and where we can meet in disciplines and create new knowledge and technology. In recent years, I have especially appreciated my role at KTH in leading the energy platform. Here I have been able to meet researchers throughout KTH and contribute to exchanging knowledge and collaborating and creating new initiatives. Together we can make a difference, the sky's the limit!"
For questions regarding lifelong learning email lla@eecs.kth.se
