Annika Östman Wernerson: It is time to enhance KI’s external relations

For these past two years or so, we have focused on raising the quality and effectiveness of our internal process. It is now time to take the next step – to enhance KI’s external relations. We want KI to be an even more active and engaged stakeholder in society, be it regional, national or global. Our knowledge and our commissions are in demand and we have a responsibility to help society grow and flourish.

In light of this, the university management has begun to identify a number of priority “profile” issues for which KI can be proactive. To this end, we also see a need to renew KI’s overall strategy and vision. Our previous strategy work began almost a decade ago, and since Strategy 2030 was adopted by the University Board in 2019, the world has changed – we have lived through a pandemic and are now facing new threats to our security, to international academic collaborations, to academic freedoms and to democratic values. 

It is therefore time to review our strategy and vision. I envisage that concepts such as knowledge development and knowledge sharing will be key, and that the vision shall point us to where we want to go. I expect that we will all start working on this together next year.

An upward trend

At the same time, there is much to rejoice over, such as an increase in first-choice applicants to this autumn’s programmes. When the application window closed on 15 April, the number of applicants to KI’s programmes and courses was up by ten per cent on last year – a full 38 per cent for the speech and language pathology programme. The nursing programme and several one-year master’s programmes also saw an upward trend, while applications for our summer courses have shot up by 82 per cent. All this is a resounding vote of confidence in KI as a place of learning.

Special mention of our efforts

The Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ) has given KI a positive rating in its evaluation of our nursing programmes. Their feedback shows that the measures we have taken are relevant and rational. I am particularly pleased to see that special mention was made of our efforts to enhance our students’ competence and nursing skills.

I would also like – again – to say a big congratulations to our new PhDs, who were celebrated at the conferment ceremony in Stockholm City Hall on 16 May. To celebrate you is also to applaud your ideas and your diligence. We all have a long and important tradition to preserve – to have the indisputable and unconditional strength to adhere firmly to our ideas and remain steadfast in our commitment to the principles of academic freedom. Scientific openness and knowledge-sharing have been a huge contributor to the success of humankind, and long may it remain so.

Thank you for your commitment and the important work you do towards growing KI – together we make a difference.