The European University INGENIUM gathers in Skövde

The University of Skövde is hosting the European University INGENIUM as it holds a conference. The theme is sustainability, and ten universities are gathering with nearly 150 participants on site. “We are putting Skövde and the University of Skövde on the map,” says Mikael Ejdebäck, INGENIUM Coordinator at the University of Skövde.

Nearly 200 students and staff from universities in, among other places, Bulgaria and Italy are visiting Skövde during the conference, which takes place on 2–6 February.

"The aim is to increase and deepen cooperation between the staff and students of the various higher education institutions,” says Mikael Ejdebäck.

Putting Skövde on the map

The University of Skövde and the other European higher education institutions attending the conference are part of the European University INGENIUM. Being part of such an alliance makes it easier for both students and staff to study and work at one of the other institutions.

“Being part of INGENIUM strengthens our international role. It makes us more attractive and visible, both to future students, teachers and researchers,” says Mikael Ejdebäck.

Games on the agenda

The theme of the conference is ecological, economic and social sustainability, and participants are given the opportunity to explore these issues in an unusual way: through games. Game development and game-based learning are among the University of Skövde’s profile areas. During the week, students both play games and create board games of their own. In one workshop, a game is used to show how everyday choices, such as building houses or eating meat, affect the climate.

“Games make it possible to understand complex relationships in a concrete way,” says Mikael Ejdebäck.

Visit to Kulturlabbet

The gaming continues during an evening at Kulturlabbet. The visit there forms part of discovering Skövde – Sweden’s Student City of the Year 2025.

“We hope that the students will get to know the University of Skövde and Skövde as a student city,” says Mikael Ejdebäck.

A visit to Arenabadet and bowling are also planned.

Unique lecture

In addition to workshops and social activities, some of the University’s most prominent researchers are giving lectures. Maurice Lamb, Senior Lecturer in Informatics, is delivering a tailor-made lecture on a topical subject: “I will talk about how constraints can make life better and more sustainable,” says Maurice Lamb.

He highlights, among other things, issues relating to artificial intelligence and creativity.

“Why should I be limited by my own ability to write or come up with ideas when I can ask AI? That is a question many people are asking today.”

Maurice Lamb draws a comparison with the world of games: “Rules are crucial to how fun a game is. In the same way, we need to understand which constraints are harmful – and which are necessary for us to develop.”

Knowledge spreads further

The hope is that the conference will have long-term effects, even after the participants have returned home. “I hope that they take with them new knowledge about sustainable development and pass it on, so that it creates a ripple effect at their institutions and in their regions,” says Mikael Ejdebäck.