Lundarektorerna

Researchers at the Faculty of Medicine Alejandra Vasquez and Tobias Olofsson have achieved some very exciting findings in their research carried out with colleagues at SLU and KI. They have seen that the stomachs of wild honey bees are full of healthy lactic acid bacteria that are able to fight bacterial infections in both bees and humans. The results, which have been published in PLoS ONE, could form a step in the work to combat the problems of both bee death and antibiotic resistance. If it works, there is great potential for the field.

Positioning ahead of the autumn’s research and innovation bill is in full swing with a number of meetings in Stockholm. In the past week, Per has had the opportunity to present and discuss our input to the bill at a meeting of state secretaries from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications, as well as at meetings of the chairs of the Committees on Education and on Industry and Trade. One of the issues discussed was the investments in strong environments versus investments in individuals. We came to the conclusion that both are needed, or, as we say in Lund, AD UTRUMQUE.

The implementation, financing and use of MAX IV and ESS were also discussed. Recruitment of leading international researchers was another issue raised and supported. Anders Flodström’s report on quality-based (re-)allocation of direct government funding was discussed at a seminar on research and innovation policy. Besides Anders, Pär Omling from Lund and Pontus de Laval from SAAB (the defence company) participated. There was a very lively and constructive discussion. A good meeting was also held with a couple of people from the Ministry of Finance at our embassy in Stockholm. (However, they did not agree with our proposal for the future of Akademiska Hus.)

We are very grateful to all those who put forward Lund University’s various proposals in our input to the research and innovation bill in your arenas, for example at national seminars, discussion forums and personal meetings with politicians and other individuals or groups who can influence the design of the bill. Much of the focus of the bill will be decided during the spring. A bet is that there will be greater opportunities to finance recruitment of leading international researchers.

Read Lund University’s input here (in Swedish)

A conference on “Housing First – what happened next?” will be held in Lund on 30 March in the main assembly hall in Universitetshuset. There are 300 people registered to attend. It is very pleasing to see that interest in this project is growing and that the Faculty of Social Sciences at our university is the driving force.
More information about the Housing First conference (in Swedish)

A new study by Olof Ejermo from CIRCLE shows that Lund University has by far the most patent applications of all Swedish universities, with a strong upward trend since the year 2000. We are responsible for 22 per cent of all Swedish patents held by university employees, followed by KI with 14 per cent, Uppsala with 13 per cent, KTH with 12 per cent, Linköping with 9 per cent and Gothenburg with 8 per cent (2005–2007). Lund University stands out for productivity in patenting among both staff and alumni. Another very clear result in the article is that the old universities dominate strongly for patenting by both employees and former students.
The article will be presented in the next issue of Ekonomisk Debatt (no 3/2012). It will be interesting to follow future studies on innovation and patents carried out at CIRCLE with grants from the Swedish Research Council and Formas.

Margot Wallström is proposed as the new chair of the Board from 1 April and we recently sent the formal proposal to the Ministry of Education. We see great strength in having Margot Wallström as Chair of the Board because of her wide experience of successful international work in the fields of the environment, human rights and communication. These areas are very important to Lund University.

An inauguration of professors will be held tomorrow, 16 March, when 25 new professors will be inaugurated in a ceremony in the main assembly hall in Universitetshuset. The inauguration lecture will be delivered by Leif Stenberg, Professor of Islamic Studies. This year’s teaching awards will also be presented at the ceremony. The students’ award goes to Bernt Nilsson of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Andreas Bergh of the Department of Economics and the university award goes to Professor Nils Danielsen of the Department of Experimental Medical Science. This year’s Peter Honeth Administrative Prize is awarded to Andreas Andersson of the Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö and recruitment coordinator Eva Nilsson of External Relations and LTH. Many congratulations to the new professors and the prizewinners!
More information about the inauguration of professors (PDF, opens in new window)

A midway evaluation of the 2006 Linnaeus environments is taking place. The Swedish Research Council visited Lund University on 9–10 and 13 February to evaluate the Linnaeus environments at the halfway stage. Five international panels – one general panel and one for each of the fields of medicine, science, engineering and humanities/social sciences/education science – are evaluating the research quality of the environments as well as the added value and dynamics created by them. The international panels of experts have met coordinators, researchers and doctoral students from each environment, the vice-chancellor and the assistant vice-chancellor for research.

Lund University has been extremely successful in obtaining Linnaeus environments, winning eight in 2006. It will be interesting to read the evaluations later in the spring. The impression we received was that the evaluators are pleased and in a number of cases impressed by what has been achieved. This is great to hear and the environments have the wholehearted support of the university management. They are flagships for the University of which we should be very proud. They have good leadership and serve as positive influences within LU, with cross-boundary, dynamic and rejuvenating research activities that also contribute a lot to education and innovation.
More information about the Linnaeus environments at Lund University (in Swedish)

We had a site visit on 8 February from a delegation from the European University Association (EUA). They are mapping how we follow up students and alumni and how we use the results of the follow-up in strategic development, quality enhancement, marketing and information to prospective students, and to support students during their studies. They met members of university management, deans, lecturers, students and administrative staff in their search for best practice.

A questionnaire about working at LU will be sent to all employees by email at the end of the month. The questions are about working conditions, the work situation, stress, leadership, etc. The questionnaire has been drawn up as part of the PUPA project (Personal Development and Professional Working Conditions) and the results will form the basis for our future work on human resources policy. More information about the survey and how the results will be used and reported will be sent out beforehand. In order to ensure the results are reliable, it is important that as many people as possible take part, so please take the time to respond. It is an opportunity to contribute to the design of our human resources policy.

Congratulations to all those who were presented with the medal for zealous and devoted service of the Realm on Wednesday, 9 February, followed by a dinner at AF. The event was to recognise all those who have worked for the State for 25–30 years and this year some 70 LU employees received the award. Many thanks for all your contributions to the University over such a long time!
Read about the ceremony and see the list of this year’s medal recipients (in Swedish)