The internationalisation activities at LU will be supported by a new international council, where deans from all faculties will participate.
“Internationalisation always starts with contacts between researchers, which can later lead to joint research projects, student exchanges, contract education, etc. However, global issues also need to be pursued at an LU-wide level”, says Eva Wiberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, responsible for LU’s internationalisation activities.
The uncertain situation in the EU – with the new member states not being as keen to fund research, and with the UK threating to leave the union – is a cause for concern. British universities are very worried what a future outside the EU will mean to their research and current partnerships.
“There is also a great risk that the EU will no longer contribute with as much research funding in the future – they have already started nibbling on the Horizon 2020 programme. Our European partnerships are extremely important”, says Eva Wiberg.
Even in Scandinavia times are tough. At the University of Copenhagen, cut-backs have led to 500 employees being laid off; in Helsinki almost 1,000 people have been forced to leave their jobs at the university.
“I don’t think we need to be too worried about it, but we must be aware that receiving only domestic funding will not allow us to grow, we can’t afford any more study places. The harsh reality is that the implementation of tuition fees has benefited us. We are now the only university in Sweden that is back to its original rate. Our study programmes are strengthened from having a mix of students from different environments, not least students with an international background”, she says.
The League of European Research Universities (LERU), and the global network Universitas 21 (U21) are the two most important and prominent networks for research-intensive universities in which LU is active. Moreover, Eva Wiberg is the first general director of U21, starting a year ago – something which has required commitment, travel and time.
“I have been in charge of a change management project in U21, which is now in its final stages and which will result in a council taking over some of my work duties. During the autumn I will therefore cut down my involvement, and resign from my post as general director in 2017.”
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