The university is investing a further SEK 315 million to give the organisation the possibility to undertake well-needed initiatives to strengthen the quality of research and education. When the university is advancing, society advances too.
Education and research play a key role regionally, nationally, and internationally. Umeå University takes responsibility for both talent attraction and a sustainable community development. One of the university's missions is to continuously work to improve the quality of the organisation's activities, as well as to bring our two core assignments, education, and research, closer to each other. When our own operations are progressing, it also contributes to an advancement of society. Huge investments are being made into northern Sweden and its green, industrial transformation to sustainable production. Consequently, the university has a great opportunity to contribute to continued improvements for the region and the university's collaborative partners.
Therefore, the university is now making its biggest financial investment ever. Between 2021–2025, SEK 315 million will be distributed over eight areas that have been prioritised based on the Vision for Umeå University as well as on needs identified by the organisation. This provides us with a good opportunity to make use of possibilities and undertake well-needed, directed initiatives. The ambition is to improve the quality of education for university students and conduct even more high-quality research.
Hans Adolfsson, Vice-Chancellor
Photo: Mattias Pettersson
On 18 May, I approved a first partial decision about the distribution of SEK 176 million. Out of those, SEK 120 million go directly to the faculties and the Umeå School of Education. They now have the chance to generate ideas and take initiatives for the specialisation of their respective funds. I am planning on deciding on how to distribute the remaining SEK 139 million in September, at which point the strategic councils and the faculty boards have had the chance to propose their priorities.
The initiative is funded from the university's agency capital, which has steadily increased over the last few years. The distribution of funds is based on the same method that the university uses for its annual budget distribution.
My colleagues in the University Management and I are convinced that the initiative will lead to positive effects for the university. Let's make the most of this opportunity together.