Annika Östman Wernerson: We welcome the government’s prioritisation of excellence and quality
What I most look forward to now, in the early days of the spring term, is the receding darkness and getting to meet all of you under various circumstances. Only last week, for instance, I and my colleagues in the university management had the privilege of meeting around fifty of our colleagues on Campus Flemingsberg in an open dialogue meeting, just like the one we held on the Solna campus just before Christmas.
We will now be reviewing all your comments and ideas, and assure you that we will be dealing with them in the best possible way. A big thank you to everyone who participated!
Research bill inspires hope
Shortly before Christmas, the government presented its research and innovation bill, which will shape research in Sweden over the coming four years. With its heavy emphasis on technological development, it potentially provides a lot of scope for medicine and life science, which is good news for KI. We also welcome the government’s prioritisation of excelence and quality in research and education, which accords entirely with our own goals and ambitions.
Paying visits to the three committees
Vice president Martin Bergö and I will be paying a visit to the three committees for research, doctoral education and education this term and continuing our conversation with the heads of the KI South, North and Solna departmental groups. It is up to all of us to drive KI’s development and advancement – KI is us and together we make a difference.
A volatile time
We live in a volatile and troubled time increasingly infected by myth, rumour and disinformation. So it is more important than ever the we at Karolinska Institutet stand up for democracy and academic freedom, science and evidence. As an academic institution, much of the responsibility for steering society in this direction rests on our shoulders.
Supporting our colleague Ahmadreza Djalali
Our colleague Ahmadreza Djalali remains wrongly imprisoned and facing a death sentence in Iran, and it was with great dismay that I learned of the recorded telephone call that was reported on the news in January. I urge the Swedish government to step up their efforts to have him freed. Let us hope that 2025 will be the year in which we finally welcome Ahmadreza Djalali back home.
Responsible internationalisation
At a time of growing geopolitical tension, we need to manage the risks of international collaborations responsibly. Everyone working at KI who embarks on an international partnership must think through and decide on the possible risks. We have therefore clarified the information we provide on this matter and developed a risk-assessment checklist. Professional Services will also be testing a new administrative function, coordinated by the International Relations Office, to advise anyone who needs help making difficult decisions.
Hope for the future
I would also like to mention the graduation ceremonies that were held at the start of the year. It is when I am standing there seeing all the expectant faces that I am particularly reminded of how important it is to lay the foundations for knowledge, passion and competence in our students.
Thank you for the fantastic work you do and your commitment to education. And lots of luck to all our newly graduated students!
Latest updates from the President
Annika Östman Wernersonwrites regularly about issues that are important to the university under the heading "Latest updates from the President". The articles are published on KI's website and found at News and updates from the University Management. She also contributes regularly to the internal newsletter KI News. Previously published texts can be read in the news archive.