Vice-Chancellor’s blog

It’s a new year and new efforts—something which was apparent during last week’s Vice-Chancellor’s conference in Steningevik. After several ministers’ speeches in the years I have been Vice-Chancellor of the University of Gothenburg, I can ascertain that the ministers’ priorities come through quite clearly when they present themselves for the first time at the annual conference in January. Our new Minister for Education Mats Persson (L) was no exception and he set down three keywords that characterise the Government’s direction for us – excellence, internationalisation, and innovation.

While ministers of previous governments largely put the emphasis on education and lifelong learning, Mats Persson takes a clear aim at research and the global view of Sweden as a research and innovation nation. The minister highlighted excellence and believes that Sweden delivers lower research output than some countries in our vicinity, such as Denmark, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. There’s an awareness that these are slow changes while at the same time, we Vice-Chancellors highlighted that we must be aware that other countries have stronger base funding.

Regarding the profile area issue, which the sector has been working on over the past year, the minister signaled that it will be difficult to implement in practice. Despite the lack of clear answers, we should probably see this is an issue that’s on hold for the time being. At least it’s unlikely that anything will happen before the next research bill, was the consensus.

We’re good at internationalisation, according to Mats Persson, but more can be done. Especially when it comes to skills supply. Making things easier for incoming highly educated people is of great importance, as is solving the problem with residence permits for international students.

When it comes to the third keyword—innovation—Mats Persson believes there’s a Swedish paradox. Sweden invests a lot in research, but there aren’t enough results that can be converted into innovation efforts for society, or companies that come out of our science parks. Less talk and more work was called for.

The universities find themselves in the middle of these wishes and keep striving. My view is that we must not forget that our mission as a university is based on research and education of the highest quality, both of which are fundamental. Regardless of investments in strong research areas, we must also contribute to the excellence of education: children’s curiosity and involvement in school is a prerequisite for us to reach potential students who then become active in solving society’s challenges in the best possible way.

Eva Wiberg

Another semester comes to an end. Remember starting the year with restrictions and working from home? Soon, however, the pandemic released its grip, and we were gradually able to return as planned. In recent weeks, however, several viruses have been in circulation and there are noticeably many sick people. Please, take care.

It has been a year marked by uncertainty in the outside world, which of course has also affected the university. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and violence in Iran have given us as a university a reason to stand up for basic human rights, democracy, and freedom. The consequences of the uncertainty, such as increased inflation, rising food prices and the energy crisis, mean that the topics of conversation have now partly taken a different direction.

We are encouraged to save on electricity both privately and at work. So, it might be a good idea to lower the temperature, light candles, and put on the warmest wool socks just in time for the Christmas holiday. I wish you all a very pleasant and well-deserved holiday.

See you again in 2023!

Eva Wiberg

Yesterday, October 3, SUHF, the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions issued a statement expressing deep concern about the current situation. As a university, it is in our nature to protect democracy, freedom of expression, human rights and peaceful protest.

We share the deep concern and condemn all types of violence against students.

SUHF Statement 3 October 2022

SUHF, the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions, is deeply concerned by the current situation for students and staff at Iranian universities.

The student protest in Iran continues. The demonstrations against the regime started after Mahsa Jîna Amini was detained by the Iranian moral police and later died in custody the 16 September. International media report today that Iranian security forces have surrounded students at Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, shooting at them and firing tear gas towards them.

SUHF is strongly committed to democratic and human rights including the right to free expression and non-violent protests. Current violations of these rights for university students and staff in Iran are deeply concerning.

Before summer, the University Board started the process of finding a Vice-Chancellor for the next term of office. The position is advertised, and the nomination process is ongoing. An interesting task to observe from the sideline as current Vice-Chancellor. My term of office ends on 30 June 2023, and I have settled on not running for another three years.

The University of Gothenburg is a fantastic university with both breadth and depth. Our university has outstanding education and research in all scientific fields, high appeal, and strong competitiveness. In short, we have a huge range of courses and programmes offered, excellent research, and a strong focus on complete environments. We systematically work with quality assurance within both education and research.

We are a university in the centre of the city that even profiles itself as the Knowledge City of Gothenburg. Locally and regionally, there is great will, structure and well-functioning collaboration and cooperation arenas. With the European university alliance EUTOPIA and several other international networks, we have tied the world closer to us. We have good relationships with the student organisations who, through their student representatives, ensure that we become even better and develop the quality. The University of Gothenburg is a university for the world, with a clear focus on internationalisation and sustainability. In the last few years, we have taken great strides in this work, not least within the Climate Framework and measures in line with this and strengthened international contact areas.

But there is still much to do. I have no intention whatsoever to slow down but intend to keep working, and in some cases finish, as much as possible of what we have started to make the transition to a new Vice-Chancellor as smooth as possible. Almost a full year remains of my term of office and the most important thing to me is to hand over a university in good condition. Something that is improved and renewed!

I sincerely believe and hope that many suitable candidates will apply for this position. It is truly a privilege to be entrusted with leading the University of Gothenburg. It requires wholehearted commitment, good endurance, and persistence. And most importantly – it requires good dialogue with, and support from, professional and solution-focused colleagues. Which you will also find here in the form of roughly 6,500 highly competent employees.

I wish you a warm welcome here. Eventually.

Eva Wiberg

It is utterly appalling to follow day-by-day Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and it is difficult to distance yourself from the news reporting. Governments and institutions around the world strongly condemn Russia’s actions and as a university, we agree and stand up to defend democracy, freedom of expression and human rights. What is happening now has not happened for a very long time and the reactions and sanctions of the outside world are powerful. Russia’s actions now – to invade a free state, with overwhelming violence and with great human suffering as a result – are a chilling and devastating attack on democratic values.

We now follow closely the initiatives taken in the Swedish university sector. While it is necessary to strongly distance ourselves and organize against the state of Russia, we must not forget that there is a large part of the population that does not support the war. Within the academy, we have a tradition of long-term collaborations, networks and personal relationships that can survive both war and this political madness. We also have the students, and the young people, who are an obvious force for a democratic society. Although we must now act responsibly and with careful consideration, it is important that the strong relations we have with colleagues and students in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus are not damaged or terminated.

The willingness to help is great and so is also our intention to build solidarity in different ways. My rector colleagues within Eutopia, of which the University of Gothenburg is a part, condemned the invasion in a joint statement on Sunday. It also heartening to see the Ukrainian flag flying next to the Swedish one in the University Park. Also within Scholars at Risk (SAR), a special Ukraine initiative has been started to develop measures on how we within the member universities can contribute.

Much work will be required in the future and for a long time after to strengthen and improve the conditions for people affected by war, invasion and the totalitarian abuse of power, so that the freedom and democracy of societies is restored. Here, the academy has an important role to play.

Ukraine, in the name of democracy, we stand united with you. Our thoughts and hearts are with you also.

Eva Wiberg

This week’s invitation by the Norwegian government to talks with the Taliban leadership has prompted a range of questions. Is this necessary in order to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe? Do these talks legitimize a deeply undemocratic government?

Regardless, the situation in Afghanistan is deeply engaging and I want to highlight the effort that universities in Sweden are making to try to contribute to the situation. Before Christmas, Sweden’s government agency for development cooperation (Sida) decided to fund a national support program for researchers from Afghanistan. Behind that initiative is Scholars at Risk (SAR) Sweden, which is coordinated by the University of Gothenburg.

When the Taliban took power in the country in August last year, it had devastating consequences for students and staff at the country’s universities. Subject areas and entire research disciplines are at risk because they are not accepted by the Taliban. But also because national funding has been shattered. International SARs has received applications for support from over 1,500 researchers in the country. This led to an appeal to SAR members to offer Afghan researchers a sanctuary at their universities.

SAR Sweden complied with this, with Sida committed to giving financial support to a program, which 2022-2024 will give around 10 researchers a temporary refuge at one of the 22 Swedish universities, which are members of Scholars at Risk.

Although it is a limited effort, it gives some hope that the research community can be preserved and can continue to develop in a democratic Afghanistan in the future.

Read more: Researchers from Afghanistan get academic sanctuaries in Sweden

With spring comes hope that the pandemic can be pushed back, if not because of the weather, then at least due to increased vaccination rates. In social media, photographs of people hugging each other are starting to appear and children and their grandparents can finally get close to each other because of the vaccination programme.

But it is important to remember that stricter regional restrictions are still in place. For the second year in a row, a traditional Walpurgis Night celebration with the students in the Garden Society of Gothenburg, will not take place. Current infection rates still make such events impossible.

Last week, I made a policy decision for the autumn of 2021, which regulates the planning conditions for summer and autumn and the university’s readjustments to the restrictions. A very difficult decision as, at the moment, it is only possible to hope for a lifting of restrictions but we are simply unable to know what regulations will be in place this autumn.

Therefore, we base our management on two different scenarios; one where most of the restrictions remain and one where they are eased. It is difficult to discuss return and opening plans in a scenario where stricter restrictions are still in place. But the decision emphasizes the fact that it is the university’s ambition to return to more campus-based activities as soon as circumstances allow.

In anticipation of this return, we must make the best of the situation. Let us all, employees and students, celebrate spring, in a caring, compassionate and responsible way. I understand that everyone has missed each other significantly, but please only meet in small groups with people you would normally see and with social distance observed. The city of Gothenburg has produced tips and advice on outdoor gathering and the city center’s most famous parks.

Spring is here and May is at the door. I wish everyone a nice and safe Walpurgis Night celebration!

The University of Gothenburg wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in time for the Christmas holiday. But the strange year 2020 unfortunately contained further stricter restrictions when the government on Friday announced a number of measures to slow the spread of infection.

Therefore, I decided yesterday, on 21 December, on an instruction that also tightens the enforcement of the policy decision that applies at the university, up to and including 24 January. Working from home and digital studies have been the main rule at the University of Gothenburg since March, but now the situation is even more serious. Employees must work at home, with the exception of those with business-critical tasks that require physical presence at the workplace.

Furthermore, teaching and examination shall take place digitally if the Head of department does not have special reasons to take another decision. Our university libraries are closing their study places, but it is possible for staff and students to borrow and return material.

Read more here: COVID-19: Stricter regulations at GU from 22 December

Now Christmas is just around the corner and most of us are looking forward to the holidays. But this year, Christmas celebrations will not be quite the same. Regardless, I wish to send a warm greeting to all students, co-workers and colleagues who I know have made huge efforts during the year. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you in 2021!

The currently sharply increasing spread of covid-19 in society is very worrying. For all of us, it is now important to take the situation very seriously, in both our private and working life. Last week, the government announced that from November 24, they intend to limit public gatherings to a maximum of 8 people, which is a historic decision. This decision led us to gather the university’s management to assess what we can do further to help limit the spread of infection in society. It is very important that we listen and move in line with the government’s message that the decision should be normative, even if it does not really cover our organization. Therefore, during the remaining part of the autumn semester, there will be a further tightening of the main rule on digital and distance at the University of Gothenburg. This means that we now will do our utmost to avoid presence on campus and, as a general rule, activities that gather more than eight people should not take place on the university’s premises.

It is very important that we listen and move in line with the government’s message that the decision should be normative, even if it does not really cover our organization.

The pandemic will continue to affect society and consequently the university also in 2021. This means that the university will have to adapt and conduct most of its activities digitally and remotely during the spring semester. This was the new policy decision Digitally and at a distance also during the spring term, which I decided on at the beginning of November. A central starting point for the decision is that all decisions we make, at all levels, must be made with the aim that together we should contribute to reducing the spread of infection in society but at the same time maintain quality in what we do. Nobody says it’s easy but it pretty much sums up what we have to relate to. The decision takes into account that regional recommendations such as those currently prevailing in our region, may be added.

Although I like many others feel worried, I feel a great deal of confidence in our organization, which at all levels takes great responsibility, prioritizes and coordinates its activities on a daily basis based on the current advice and restrictions. I have great confidence that the organization will be able to decide what is not possible to implement digitally. Some exceptions are necessary, this may involve some examination, some laboratory work and parts of the artistic education. But we should definitely not have staff meetings or lectures on site that could just as easily have taken place digitally.

The pandemic has required adjustments in the form of renewed working methods in teaching, research and operational support, as the university in a very short time has implemented a major transition to distance education and temporary working from home. The pandemic has posed great challenges for us and will continue to do so. But at the same time, we have had to rethink how we can relate to an increasingly digitalized way of working and this has in my opinion led to great progress in our international collaborations. For example, in our international collaborative projects EUTOPIA and MIRAI, it is my experience that we have not let ourselves be hindered by the fact that it is not possible to meet, but instead gained strength through professionally conducted webinars, frequent meetings and the like. An experience that we will take with us in the future.

Eva Wiberg

Since Friday, September 18, the University of Gothenburg has had problems with a majority of employees not being able to access their e-mail, calendar and function mailboxes. This has of course caused great frustration for us as we depend on these tools in our daily work. Perhaps now more than ever, given that the current pandemic has made us even more dependent on communication, summons and meetings taking place digitally.

Intensive work has been being carried out since Friday to address the problems under the direction of the IT unit. In addition, the university management has set up a central crisis management organisation to assist in the work. This work is a top priority of all involved.

I would like to appeal for understanding among employees, students and others who wish to get in touch with us. Please use alternative contact routes such as telephone or digital tools where possible. You can be confident that work is going on 24/7 to solve the problems.

Up-to-date information can be accessed via gu.se and the Staff Portal.