NEWS In dialogue with students, Umeå University will develop societally relevant, high-quality courses and programmes to prepare students to manage an ever-changing world. Umeå University’s new vision is now being introduced.
The vision: By 2035, Umeå University will be internationally recognised for its quality, impact and attractiveness.
Image Ida ÅbergThe climate crisis, a difficult international security situation, shifting politics and new demands from employers and students affect how the University needs to develop to meet the future. At the same time, there are promising opportunities for improving the quality of education, increasing collaboration with third-parties and making the University even more relevant and attractive for students, staff and partners.
“In a time of major societal challenges, it is more important than ever for the University to take more responsibility and contribute knowledge, perspective and determination – locally, nationally and globally. With the new vision, we want to meet the needs of students by continuously developing high-quality programmes in all fields of science and the arts,” says Vice-Chancellor Tora Holmberg.
Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor at Umeå University.
ImageMattias PetterssonThe vision stakes out the path for the University’s development through 2035 and is intended to make Umeå University one of Sweden’s leading institutions of higher education and internationally recognised for quality, impact and attractiveness.
The University will also provide important perspectives and solutions to the societal challenges of our time from our position in Northern Europe.
The vision emphasises the importance of first-class education with societal relevance and strengthened collaboration with third-parties, such as regional health authorities, municipalities and businesses in northern Sweden.
Wille Dahl, Chair of the Umeå Medical Sciences Student Union, helped formulate the new vision.
“This has been an interesting process, where we’ve had to take a step back to gain a better overview of what it really means to be Umeå University. What are our strengths, what needs improving, and what areas should we really focus on as our profile, what makes us unique? As a higher education institution, what are we best at and, by extension, what are we most proud of? This work has been very good for bringing us together and helps us reach consensus on important issues and shared goals,” he says.
Wille Dahl, Chair of the Umeå Medical Sciences Student Union.
ImageMartin SkogHe is happy about the vision’s focus on development and that students have a central role in it.
“The new vision captures what distinguishes Umeå University while also elegantly highlighting what skills need to be developed. That is to say, the vision is designed to demonstrate the possibilities, what we need to develop, rather than pointing out the shortcomings,” says Wille Dahl.
“I’m also happy about how the words student and students are used frequently in the vision. We’re seen as an obvious part throughout the vision. Not only as enablers in the future but also as a resource in the University’s development work, which I believe is essential for achieving the defined goals. In short, a university is no better than the people who together make it up, and to create the excellence we want, we also need this breadth,” he concludes.
Discover the Vision for Umeå University.