“For Lund University, it is very important that Science Village develops into an attractive area for research and innovation. The University will continue to actively pursue this work alongside the City of Lund and Region Skåne,” says Pro Vice-Chancellor Per Mickwitz, who is responsible for issues around Science Village within the University Management.
This means that the University remains committed to its long-term ambition of being present in Science Village. Per Mickwitz adds that a responsible process of establishment is crucial – one that takes place in a way that is sustainable, achievable and in line with good financial housekeeping.
The faculties decide
This week, the faculty boards of both LTH and the Faculty of Science have made decisions about the continuation of the establishment in Science Village.
The question now being considered concerns stage two of the continued establishment in Science Village. This is a strategic establishment, focusing on Lund University’s profile area Light and Materials – the vision being to create a consolidated environment for materials science within semi-conductor, photon and laser research. This includes organisations from both the Faculty of Science and LTH.
Stage two, however, is tied to stage one – the construction of a new NanoLab Science Village. This means that it is necessary to decide on stage two if the NanoLab is to be built in Science Village, because otherwise the “critical mass” necessary for a successful establishment will not be achieved.
Needless to say, setting up at a new location costs money. The faculties decide on their own organisations, based on their remit and financial constraints. This means that the Faculty of Science and LTH each make their own decision independently regarding the shared establishment.
Conditions have changed
The University Management is responsible for the overall project and the University’s long-term development. Since 2018, Lund University has had a clear ambition to establish itself in Science Village, close to MAX IV and ESS. The conditions for establishment there have changed along the way. Financial constraints, cost structures and organisational consequences look quite different to how they looked a few years ago. Based on its organisational responsibilities, the Faculty of Science deems that the current projected costs are not financially defensible at present. The LTH Faculty Board, meanwhile, has decided to approve the plans and proceed with both phases.
“We find ourselves in a situation that demands thoughtful consideration, responsibility and good coordination and we have the utmost respect for the faculties’ decisions. At the same time, it remains our long-term ambition to be present in Science Village,” says Per Mickwitz.
The decision means that it is necessary to look at new ways of making progress on the establishment. How this will be achieved is now being analysed. The University Management will now review the whole project in order to reach a position on the next stage in close collaboration with the Faculty of Science and LTH.
“Moving forward, focus will be on how Lund University can best help those organisations that want to set up in Science Village. What that is going to look like is something we will come back to,” says Per Mickwitz.
Read the article from the faculy of Science: Faculty Board decides not to proceed with establishment in Science Village (Stage 2)
Read the article from the faculy of Engineering: LTH:s faculty board wants a new Nano lab at Science Village (demands LTH-inlogg).