A while ago, I read Lars Strannegård's book Kunskap som känns. Strannegård is Vice-Chancellor of Stockholm School of Economics and questions the often too instrumental approach to education when the purpose is simply to meet the needs of the labour market. Instead, he argues strongly for a modern approach to education and Bildung, incorporating both detailed factual knowledge and having a breadth of knowledge, as well as esthetical experiences through architecture and the fine arts.
Hans Wiklund, University Director
Photo: Mattias Pettersson
The view from my office also bears witness to the developments and progress taking place at this university. From the first buildings for the natural sciences on the south side of campus in the early 1960s. And then to the large establishment of the Social Sciences Building, the Humanities Building, the University Library and the Administration Building in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Since then, campus has continued to grow and densify with a steady stream of new buildings popping up.
Within a comfortable walking distance of Campus Umeå is the Umeå Arts Campus inaugurated in 2012 housing the Umeå Academy of Fine Arts, Umeå Institute of Design, Umeå School of Architecture and Bildmuseet museum of contemportary art and visual culture, and now also the University's own science centre – Curiosum. Shortly, the construction of yet another building on Campus Umeå will start. This building will house exam halls and self-study places for the 37,000 students of Umeå University, and be positioned in the vicinity of Aula Nordica. The plans are to open the new building for use in spring 2025.
In my role as University Director, one of the things I appreciate most is the many contacts and encounters I make within the University. Not least in my conversations with university researchers, which often offer food for thought. What about Swedish-Turkish diplomatic relationships in the 1700s, the characteristics of the Coronavirus and the management of a pandemic, climate change impacts on Arctic flora, or the development of new nano-materials to be used in the production of renewable energy, for instance? Student union representatives, responsible and committed, boost hope for the future. Also, I'm fascinated by the breadth and depth of knowledge and variation of our research and education when the University Management visits the University's departments.
I have an ambition to increase my participation in the many public events organised on our campuses such as lectures, debates and cultural events. I am particularly looking forward to the panel debate on 2 December about the University's role in the societal transformation of the north.
From my window, I can also make out Norra skenet. The iconic sculpture made up of polished and square pieces of rust-resisting steel welded into an artwork by Ernst Nordin in 1969–1970, is meant, as I understand, to portray the power that knowledge and the University stands for.
When I was on my way home from work the other day, I stopped by Torsten Renqvist's wooden sculpture Kangaroo in the Umeå University Library. A long table, two benches and the kangaroo carved in aspen tree. Today it is hard to understand why this work of art was so debated when it was inaugurated at the end of the 1970s. So much in fact that it was relocated from its intended home and instead placed at the University.
On my way out, I am accompanied by Lage Lindell's mighty mural measuring a full 95 metres around the circular lecture halls in the Social Sciences Building. Depicting people in a variety of situations and positions in relation to others – I see this as a true tribute to campus life!