KTH University Director leads a government investigation
Kerstin Jacobsson, University Director of KTH, has been commissioned by the government to investigate and develop proposals for how state universities and university colleges should be governed in the future.
“It feels incredibly honourable and exciting, especially considering that I have been involved in these issues for so long,” says Kerstin Jacobsson.
The investigation will review the organisational structure of state universities and university colleges and examine how it can interact more effectively with the mission of the educational institutions. Today, most of Sweden's universities and university colleges are state authorities and, as such, comply with the laws and regulations intended for them.
A key starting point for the inquiry is that the state should govern in a manner that provides institutions with favourable conditions for delivering high-quality research and education. It also covers how higher education institutions can achieve greater financial and administrative autonomy, as well as greater autonomy.
“The core mission of higher education institutions is to educate students and conduct research. The authority form involves many legal obstacles and requires significant administrative resources, which has a negative impact on the scope for core activities. Excessively detailed control can hinder development," says Kerstin Jacobsson, who has previously held a number of roles in the sector at several higher education institutions, as well as nationally within the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (SUHF) and the Ministry of Education.
The inquiry has two parts. In the first part, the investigator will propose an alternative organisational form for universities and university colleges so that they can be governed in a more appropriate manner. The second part involves submitting proposals for changes within the current organisational framework of administrative authorities. These proposals will be based on previous investigations and consultations, and will also take into account an ongoing investigation into academic freedom.
Higher education institutions play a unique role as a critical, reflective force within society. The directive refers to the dismantling of democracy that has occurred in certain countries, including through the undermining of the independence of universities.
“The world around us is changing. We can see examples of this in other countries, where governance is becoming politicised and the state is interfering in academic matters. This is a very serious issue. Higher education institutions must be free from this type of influence,” says Kerstin Jacobsson.
Work on the inquiry will begin immediately, with a report to be delivered by 31 March next year at the latest.
“We will adopt an outward-looking approach and identify what is important to stakeholders within and outside the sector, ensuring the proposals are well-founded,’ says Kerstin Jacobsson.
For further information, please refer to the government's website
Text: Jill Klackenberg and Tora Zeijlon