“This is a stamp of approval for the University of Skövde, and a admission that we are leading in our field of research. We are very proud to have received this stamp of approval, which gives us the opportunity to develop our qualitative research work in the longer term,” says Sigbritt Karlsson, rector at the University of Skövde.
Scientific Quality
“We are convinced that the knowledge environment at the University of Skövde will come to play an important part in invigorating both the University and the companies in the region, as well as boosting Sweden’s competitiveness,” says Knowledge Foundation CEO Madelene Sandström. Joint efforts between companies and researchers, as seen in the knowledge environment, is one of the best ways of
enhancing the scientific quality and contributing to renewal, growth and employment.
First to cross the finish line
The Knowledge Foundation’s investment in knowledge environments is its biggest single investment in the new seats of learning, with a pot of 1.5 billion SEK that the grantees can apply for. Seventeen seats of learning, all of them new universities and university colleges, where welcome to apply. The University of Skövde is the first seat of learning that meets all the requirements for becoming a prioritised knowledge environment. At the last Knowledge Foundation board meeting, the University’s application was approved.
Joint Production
The objective of the knowledge investment is to build strong knowledge and competence environments in cooperation with University leaders. In order to qualify for investment, the Knowledge Foundation required that a number of steep demands were met. The University of Skövde was unique in living up to those requirements.
“The University’s clear research profile, our unique quality work based on our established quality systems, and our very close cooperation with the business sector were all factors that the Knowledge Foundation emphased as important for approval,” says Lars Niklasson, pro-rector at the University of Skövde.
Research financing
“That means that we are now free to set up our own research areas, initiate projects and work with knowledge transfer towards the business sector,” explains Lars Niklasson.
As early as next year, research commences under the umbrella of the knowledge environment. The University plans to start a series of new research projects, a research school in Information Technology and a programme for knowledge transfer to the manufacturing industry.
“The fact that we’re becoming a knowledge environment means developed cooperation with the Knowledge Foundation and direct communication with its management for research financing,” he continues.
Leads to new jobs
A long-term investment in research means that quality will rise all throughout the University, which will get its own mandate to develop programmes and recruit researchers.
“It gives us an opportunity to combine various investments and quicker being able to dentify the needs of the business sector, in order to initiate projects that lead to new innovative companies and growth in existing ones,” concludes Lars Niklasson.
For more information:
Sigbritt Karlsson, rector at the University of Skövde
+46 500-44 81 43
Lars Niklasson, pro-rector at the University of Skövde
+46 500-44 83 37
About the Knowledge Foundation
The Knowledge Foundation is the research financier for universities, tasked with strengthening Sweden's competitiveness and ability to create value.
The Foundation supports research conducted at Sweden's universities and new universities provided
that industry provides a matching amount and actively participates in order to achieve development there as well.
The Knowledge Foundation was established in 1994 and it has since invested some 7.4 billion SEK in more than 2 000 projects.
The Knowledge Foundation strives to help Sweden's new universities create internationally competitive research environments, work long-term on strategic profiling and increase cooperation between academia, industry, institutes and society. Universities are responsible for a significant portion of knowledge development and research. Many are leaders in their own special areas, cooperate extensively with industry and contribute to strengthening Sweden's competitiveness and creating
growth. (Knowledge Foundation)