NEWS The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation – one of the largest financiers of research in Sweden - has appointed Professor Göran Sandberg as their new executive director.
Göran Sandberg will assume the role as executive during the second half of 2010 and replace Professor Erna Möller, who has informed that she wishes to step down during 2010 when she turns 70 years old.
“During my period as vice-chancellor, several Swedish and international universities have attempted to convince me to change position. The answer has always been easy; I am not interested because I am vice-chancellor in Umeå. This is the only offer that I have been interested in. The Wallenberg Foundation is one of the largest financiers of research in Sweden and to contribute to this organisation means that I will have the opportunity to take part in the development of future research in Sweden. However, I plan to work a part of my time with my own research projects that will naturally take place at Umeå University,” says Göran Sandberg.
The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation is Sweden’s largest private research financier and has contributed more than SEK 4.5 million towards promoting research in Sweden and Swedish researchers. The purpose of the Foundation is to: "promote scientific research, teaching and/or education beneficial to the Kingdom of Sweden". Universities, academies and similar research and educational institutions are eligible for grants within the following fields: •Expensive scientific equipment •Fellowship programs initiated by the Foundation •Selected research projects of significant potential
•Larger educational research projects
Göran Sandberg began as vice-chancellor in July 2005, and his commission ends in June 2011. It is not a major surprise that he did not seek another six-year term.
”I explained during my recruitment process that I intended to serve only one term. The was for the reason that I had the ambition to continue doing research. In addition, I have been always been convinced that it’s good it’s in the best interests of the university to change vice-chancellors with equal intervals,” says Göran Sandberg.
Several major developmental projects have been carried out during Göran Sandberg’s period as vice-chancellor of Umeå University.
“I will be working hard till the end to improve the university rather than slowing down the pace. The goal is to become one of the country's foremost research and academic universities,” says Sandberg with conviction.
Read more about Göran Sandberg, his research and CV:
http://www.ledning.umu.se/rektor/index.html
Press image can be found:
http://www8.presskontakt.umu.se/pressbilder/universitetsledning.html
Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation website
For further information contact: Birgitta Johansson-Hedberg, Chairperson, Umeå University Board
Mobile: +46 (0)70-218 02 83
Göran Sandberg, Vice-Chancellor, Umeå University
Mobile: +46 (0)70-318 12 75
Peter Wallenberg Jr., Vice-Chairman, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation
Phone: +46 (0)8–545 017 80
Editor: David Meyers