The Future of Luleå University of Technology

"Det skapande universitet", the Creative University is a term that was created a couple of years ago. It was created by a group of people within the Luleå University of Technology and many attempts have been undertaken to try to create a common view around the subject. A lot of people became saved ("frälsta"), some got scared away but still the majority of employees and students just don't care today. How can we make progress on this issue?

Let us first talk about, what it is NOT about. It is not a question about if research should belong to arenas or not. It is not a question about if we should have arenas, programs or both. It is not a question about being saved or not. It is not a question about strange names, definitions or terms. The latter is very common in the academic culture where everything have to be analyzed into its smallest components, and have to be redefined over and over again. This is very good for research, but unfortunately it is not very good for the development of an organization and this analyzing skill is the very essence of the university culture. Sometimes, this leads to an aggressive attitude (not intentional I am sure), which in turn can lead to a withdrawal where people get very afraid of saying or doing anything. To make progress, we have to think about when we apply our great analyzing skills, and I want to urge all of you to try to be more open minded and trust the people around you. Give us all some slack, we are all doing the best we can! If you don't agree with what somebody is saying or doing, tell that person that as soon as possible. Remember that it is never too late do it. Don't keep it to yourself or go around and tell everybody else behind the persons back!

There are a number facts in our surroundings that force us to take action. Changes in the society makes fewer students apply to the university and the classical programs and subjects. Changes within research funding agencies pushes research towards more fundamental research and huge projects, increasing the competition. The world is becoming more and more international and in Sweden we have e.g. been very slow in adopting netbased learning on a larger scale. Image what will happen when the large international universities really start to attract students from the whole world and not only specific geographic areas.

So, what is this really about then? It is about the Future of Luleå University of Technology! It is about getting more students. It is about getting more money. It is about getting more visibility in the world.

How can YOU contribute? 1: Convince yourself that this is important (because it is). 2: Go talk to others, convince them as well. 3: Get involved in different activities to make the University more forceful, both within Sweden and in rest of the World. Make yourself heard and don't just sit there and wait for others to take the initiative. Don't be put off by "strange" attitudes from others. Remember that we are all different, and nobody within the University is here to destroy you or your work. Please, do not get stuck of definitions or terms.

At the keyboard, Dr. Peter Parnes, peppar@sm.luth.se. Proud member of the LTU community since 1990.