General assembly of the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions and the importance of doubt

A week ago, the leaders of universities and other higher education institutions throughout Sweden gathered here in Uppsala. The occasion was the annual general assembly of the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions. It is customary at these meetings for the institution hosting the assembly to choose a topic that will interest and motivate participants. […]

Continue reading

Everyone’s talking about AI

Everyone’s talking about AI, at every turn and with differing agendas. The pattern is recognisable from past introductions of new technologies. On the one hand are sky-high expectations, on the other major concerns. Risks and opportunities are debated. And right in the midst of these developments is our University.  When five years ago the University […]

Continue reading

A university is a place for critics

In recent weeks, many emails have arrived in the Vice-Chancellor’s mailbox. Most of the emails call on the University to distance itself from Israel’s actions in Gaza. I have received numerous such emails, all much the same. Lately, however, I have also received other messages, speaking of vulnerability and distress. These emails are written with […]

Continue reading

UUniFI – an investment in the future

UUniFI is the name of a new initiative at the University very close to my heart. The abbreviation stands for Uppsala University Future Institutes, whose aim is to enable research into complex societal challenges by harnessing the breadth of Uppsala University. The institutes will be characterised by excellence and innovation, generate new research and establish […]

Continue reading

No place for informers in academia

A proposed new law – an ‘informers act’ – has provoked debate. The discussion stems from the Ministry of Justice’s Inquiry on reinforcing return operations (Ju 2022:12) and the supplementary terms of reference for the inquiry (Dir. 2023:126) that were issued in August. There is widespread indignation: many public employees in Sweden interpret the proposal to mean that they […]

Continue reading

Visit from Hallym University

For a few days this week, we have the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from Hallym University. Over the course of more than a decade, we have developed a close relationship with this university in South Korea in the field of medicine. Now we are discussing broadening our outlook. Today, Wednesday, our conversations have revolved […]

Continue reading

Welcome to an awesome autumn

So, it is once again time to open the doors to a new generation of students who have found their way to our fantastic University. There are more students than ever, and although that is obviously a great thing, it means extra busy days and many people doing their utmost to ensure everyone receives the […]

Continue reading
« Older posts