NEWS It has now been confirmed that Hans Wiklund will become new University Director of Umeå University. He begins his duties on 1 March 2020.
Hans Wiklund will be Umeå University's next University Director.
ImageÖrjan Leek“This is a dream job for me. I’ll get to use the knowledge and experience that I’ve collected over the years. And I’ll get to go back to dealing with higher education and research,” says Hans Wiklund, who studied at Umeå University in the mid-1990s.
Since two years ago, he is Regional Director at Region Västernorrland with a seat in Härnösand, 210 km south of Umeå along the coast. Previously, he has been regional development director.
“We are lucky to have attracted a University Director with great experience of both leadership and academic work,” says Hans Adolfsson, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University.
Hans Wiklund also has experience from working at the Government Offices of Sweden, more specifically at the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs from 2008–2011. His role has been chief secretary, which is a non-political leadership position in the civil service appointed by investigators, in his case in some widely differing subjects.
“I’ve enjoyed trying new jobs and learning new things. It’s provided me with plenty of experience. It’s never been my first priority to strive for a prosperous career. Instead, my goal is always to contribute to my workplace by doing my best. This has led to new posts and new opportunities.”
Hans Wiklund, 47 years old, earned a Bachelor’s degree in political science at Umeå University, and then completed his doctorate at Jönköping International Business School. He’s also conducted research in the US and spent a few years as chief of the secretariat at the Västernorrland County Administrative Board.
Hans Wiklund succeeds Caroline Sjöberg, who moved to Uppsala this summer to take on the role as University Director of Uppsala University.