“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
\nwithin the Lule\u00e5 University of Technology and many attempts have been
\nundertaken to try to create a common view around the subject. A lot of
\npeople became saved (“fr\u00e4lsta”), 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?
\n
\nLet 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
\nabout 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,
\ndefinitions or terms. The latter is very common in the academic culture where everything have to be analyzed into its smallest
\ncomponents, and have to be redefined over and over again. This is very good for research, but unfortunately it is not very good for the
\ndevelopment of an organization and this analyzing skill is the very essence of the university culture. Sometimes, this leads to an
\naggressive attitude (not intentional I am sure), which in turn can lead to a withdrawal where people get very afraid of saying or doing
\nanything. 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
\nmore 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
\nsomebody 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!
\n
\nThere are a number facts in our surroundings that force us to take action. Changes in the society makes fewer students apply to the
\nuniversity and the classical programs and subjects. Changes within research funding agencies pushes research towards more fundamental
\nresearch 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.
\n
<\/p>\n
\nSo, what is this really about then? It is about the Future of Lule\u00e5 University of Technology! It is about getting more students. It is
\nabout getting more money. It is about getting more visibility in the world.
\n
<\/p>\n
\nHow can YOU contribute?
\n1: Convince yourself that this is important (because it is).
\n2: Go talk to others, convince them as well.
\n3: Get involved in different activities to make the University more forceful, both within Sweden and in rest of the World.
\nMake 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
\nothers. Remember that we are all different, and nobody within the University is here to destroy you or your work. Please, do not get
\nstuck of definitions or terms.
\n
<\/p>\n
\nAt the keyboard, Dr. Peter Parnes, peppar@sm.luth.se.
\nProud member of the LTU community since 1990.
\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
“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 Lule\u00e5 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 (“fr\u00e4lsta”), some … Continue reading The Future of Lule\u00e5 University of Technology<\/span>