KTH aims to find the students of the future at Järvaveckan
KTH Royal Institute of Technology has set up its own tent at Sweden’s annual Järvaveckan gathering (Järva Week) to meet the students of the future. This year, there is a particular focus on encouraging more young people – not least from the Järva neighborhood in Stockholm – to study science and technology.
Järvaveckan is a democratic arena where local and national politicians, civil society, and businesses meet with the public. Staged in one of the city’s most multicultural areas and home to many immigrants and ethnic groups, the event aims to increase engagement, break down prejudices, and give citizens the opportunity to voice their concerns directly to decision-makers.
The event got off to a stormy start when a sudden downpour forced the organisers to evacuate the area on Wednesday. Despite the torrential rain and gusts of wind, Professor Nicole Kringos persevered with teaching pottery to representatives from Region Stockholm, schoolchildren from Järva and KTH’s Deputy President Mikael Lindström, who believes that pottery is a way to come together without pretension.
“When your hands are in the clay, some of the barriers disappear. It’s about showing that KTH isn’t just a place for exams and formulas – but also for creativity, craftsmanship and curiosity. And it’s quite fun!”
It’s not just clay and potter’s wheels that have a place in KTH’s tent at Spånga IP. During the week, visitors can try their hand at programming, learn more about future materials from the forest, experiment with Vetenskapens hus and, of course, meet students from KTH.
A university for the whole of Sweden
Although he’s got a bit of mud on his suit, Lindström says he finds the event energising. Järvaveckan brings together people from very different backgrounds – politicians, community groups, the business sector and local residents – and that energy and dialogue are hard to find anywhere else, Lindström says. It is a unique forum where societal challenges are discussed near those who live with them. It goes without saying that KTH has a clear place there.
“KTH is an educational institution for the whole of Sweden, not just for those who have already found their way to university. We need to be where the conversations are taking place and where the students of the future are. Järva is a part of Stockholm and Sweden that KTH needs to have a genuine relationship with,” Lindström says.
Among the pupils from nearby Oxhagsskolan, who have gathered in front of KTH’s tent, there is some scepticism about the merits of an engineering degree. One would rather study “business,” whilst another’s initial curiousity appears to fade when KTH student Satyam Gandhi explains that he has been studying for almost five years.
Young people from Järva are needed
Nevertheless, it is vital for the future of Sweden that young people from Järva pursue a STEM education, as technology and science shape the society we live in – from climate solutions to digital platforms.
“If those who design and build the future do not reflect the whole population, we risk ending up with solutions that do not work for everyone. Young people from Järva bring perspectives and experiences that are needed in engineering departments,” Lindström says.
To ensure that young people from Järva take their place on STEM courses, a joint initiative has been launched by KTH, the City of Stockholm, Stockholm University, the Swedish National Museum of Science and Technology, Vetenskapens Hus, Kista Science City and the business community. A basic framework is already in place, and the partners are now moving forward together. The business community, through Forum för innanförskap, is taking on a more active role and contributing networks, expertise and resources to give the work greater momentum, reach and long-term sustainability.
Forum för innanförskap is a nationwide initiative by the business community focused on the 250,000 children and young people currently growing up in one of the country’s marginalised areas. KTH is now joining the forum as a partner.
“We can make a tangible contribution, for example by boosting motivation to study and providing young people with networks within the technology sector. We want to help ensure that more young people – not least from areas such as Järva – see a path into STEM education and the Swedish technology sector,” Lindström says.
Jon Lindhe ( jlindhe@kth.se )