Summer is here again and a new academic year has come to an end. Where did the past autumn, winter and spring go, one might wonder. Now is the moment to stop and summarise – something both fun and can prove useful.
We can without a doubt establish what an intense year it has been starting off with the second half of being European Capital of Culture for a year. A large number of visitors from near and far away took the chance to visit Umeå University. The first half of our Anniversary Year begun in the same intense way. It is with pride and joy that I can declare that our operations are impressing.
This is reflected by something an individual with great experience from other universities said: "Imagine if I could start all over again. Then I would choose Umeå University; you have so much exciting going on". How come many future students choose Umeå University as their first choice? How come our international students rate Umeå University first in the country and highly in Europe and the World? How come one of the world's most successful researchers, Emmanuelle Charpentier, says the best choice she has ever made in her career was to come to Umeå University?
The answer to all those queries are of course all the good efforts performed by all of our staff, all our doctoral students and all our students. If it weren't for everyone's joint effort and the willingness to create something unique, to create with warmth and humanity, there would be no comfort and enthusiasm at Umeå University. A contributing factor is also the collaborating partners in our vicinity as well as globally and, hopefully, the winning concept is actually giving something in return.
All of this is certainly something to celebrate and cherish as we are in the middle of our Anniversary Year commemorating a young a dynamic fifty-year-old institution. The year was begun by turning our eyes and parts of our excelling operations towards our capital and Kunskapsnoden 2015. Students have celebrated the spring with a wonderful Spring Ball 2015 followed by our first Graduation Ceremony 2015 for our graduating master students. The beginning of summer was celebrated with a beautiful, fun and dignifying Spring Conferment for Doctorate Recipients 2015, which was also brightened up by a children's choir of 170 sweet-singing children. After a refreshing and invigorating summer we are really looking forward to our Anniversary Week and our 50th jubilee celebrations on 17 September 2015. The Annual Autumn Ceremony for Honorary Doctors, Newly Appointed Professors and Award Recipients 2015 will be a ceremony including an exciting anniversary symposium. Much is already in the calendar and much more will be added around our ceremonies and anniversary week.
None of this nor the reasons for our celebrations would exist, be seen or be memorable if it weren't for each and everyone's joint effort, collaboration and commitment. I would therefore like to issue a large and heartily THANK YOU to all members of staff, doctoral students, students and affiliate partners. The University Management and I wish you a lovely summer!
Lena