Mikael Ejdebäck is Vice-Chancellor for Internationalisation, Associate Professor and Docent of Molecular Biology. It was during his high school years that he opened his eyes to biochemistry.
“My teachers in biology and chemistry did a good pedagogical job and sparked my interest in the borderland between the two subjects. First, I thought that I would study something in computer science after my high school graduation, but it turned out to be studies in chemistry at the University of Gothenburg, GU with a focus on biochemistry.”
This was followed by a doctoral position at GU and Mikael Ejdebäck received his doctorate in 1999. Only a month after his defence, he started at the University of Skövde.
“The University had, at that time, recently started programmes in biodata and wanted my skills, so I moved back to Skövde.”
Mikael Ejdebäck has been faithful to the University since then, or almost anyway.
“I was on leave for two years to do a Post-doc at Trinity College in Dublin between 2001-2003. It was very valuable, both in terms of research and international experience. It's a completely different experience to live in another country, than to be on holiday. But after two years, my wife Maria and I felt that we had to decide - either to stay in Dublin or return to Skövde. It is easier with children to live in a smaller city and I had a job to return to.
Left Dublin for Skövde
The moving load went from Ireland to Sweden. Back at the University, Mikael has pursued an academic career and since 2017 he is Head for the School of Bioscience and since a few years ago also Vice-Chancellor for Internationalisation. A large part of his working time is now devoted to the work with the European University, which includes the University of Skövde, together with nine other European universities. The INGENIUM European university is only a few months old, but extensive work is already underway on many different levels.
“In the future, there are incredible opportunities for various collaborations, - such as joint research, education and exchanges for both University employees and students through the European University. In this way University of Skövde strengthens its place in the European arena.”