"Since the appointment of the new Board, we have had two ordinary meetings and one introduction meeting in order for the new members to get to know each other and the University. In addition to the regular assignment of the Board, we have now reached a point where we need to discuss strategies and a future vision for the University: Where do we see Umeå University in 10 to 15 years?, says Hans Adolfsson, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University.
Chris Heister, chairperson of the University Board, and Hans Adolfsson, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University.
Photo: Mattias Pettersson
One of the items on the agenda for the 5 October session was the Board's internal work. This included discussions about what the Higher Education Ordinance stipulates for a university board to handle; such as budget allocations, appointments procedures and rules of procedure. The Board also discussed topics of more strategic nature, for instance how to handle future challenges, Umeå University's relationship to other universities and the sector in general.
Hans Adolfsson reveals that due to these issues being of such importance to the Board, every meeting will contain a strategic discussion on a given topic. For the upcoming meetings, the plan is to discuss core values, research and research infrastructure, internationalisation, accessible educations across the region, among other topics. A tangible subject for one of the upcoming board meetings is also democracy, which is the theme that will be communicated by the University in 2018. For 2017, the theme was the Arctic.
"The Board is for obvious reasons setting its main focus on the organisation itself to help create opportunities for it to function, but a university also needs to pay attention to the outer values; building a profile, keeping an eye on happenings around the World, etc. External issues like such are something I'm hoping our external members will help us shed light upon," says Hans Adolfsson.
Together with the chairperson of the Board, Christ Heister, he will produce an annual calendar for the Board to set topics for future board meetings following a natural order based upon strategic priorities on current matters. According to Hans Adolfsson, the Board has so far seemed well-functioning and stable.
"The atmosphere is one of openness, and despite that many members are new, we already hold well-informed and heated discussions, which feels promising. Another important factor for a good atmosphere and a will to push forward is our chairperson Chris Heister, she has a great deal of experience of conducting board work," says Hans Adolfsson.
Short facts about the University Management and the University Board
The University Management consists of the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, University Director and Deputy University Director.
Read more about the University Management
The University Board is the University's highest body. The decisions they make include the allocation of resources within the University, sets important matters concerning the University's organisation and lodges annual report and budget documents to the Government. The Board also sets admission regulations for undergradate and graduate education, and appointments procedure.
Read more about the University Board