halmstad university
The University of Innovation
key figures 5, 234 full-time students 9, 293 students 582 employees 41 professors 74 research students 75 programmes (undergraduate, postgraduate, one- and two-year master’s courses) 250 courses TOTAL turnover SEK 487,7 million EDUCATION turnover SEK 375,3 million RESEARCH turnover SEK 112,4 million, of which 53 per cent external financing Figures for 2012
On the cover page: Walid Taha, Professor of Computer Science, with the humanoid Nao.
2 • HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY
CONTENTs Welcome
5
The University of Innovation
7
Three profile areas in Research and Education
9
Research education
15
Keeping the dream alive
17
Contact with the working life
19
Developing together
23
Innovation support for growth
25
Studying in Halmstad
27
HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY • 3
4 • HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY
welcome It is easy to understand that Halmstad University is popular and that many students want to study here. Halmstad University is known for its special atmosphere – here, there is a flow of innovation and creativity! We have much to offer, which creates opportunities for everyone.
gionally, nationally and globally. In order to utilise research, we must be open to the outside world. We must participate, invite and communicate with the happenings of the world. We need to know what is relevant and what is of importance.
In both education and research there is a momentum to challenge established truths and develop new ideas. A proof of this is that theory and practice go hand in hand at Halmstad University. Virtually all programs have an element of work experience or projects in collaboration with business, non-profit organisations or the public sector. Similarly, a very large part of the research is conducted in co-production with enterprises or public organisation partners. Halmstad University’s profile as the University of Innovation consists of three strong areas: Innovation Sciences, Information Technology, and Health and Lifestyle. Our research in these areas is outstanding and internationally recognised.
As the Vice-Chancellor at Halmstad University, I will keep the vessels boiling with activity and communication through constructive conversation in regards to knowledge, research, education and co-production.
We would love to tell you about everything that happens here! Obviously, this is not possible in one single brochure. However, we have put together some information of what is happening and things that we think might be of interest.
I hope you will find this brochure interesting and will be curious to know more. You are very welcome to contact us and to discuss different issues of concern – in different venues and different connections.
Mikael Alexandersson Vice-Chancellor
I tend to describe the university as communicating vessels. We have; on the one hand, a great responsibility for the knowledge that is available and generated which will benefit society in the future in many various ways. On the other hand, we are – and want to be – the recipient and the speaking partner, of what is relevant and important for other social actors. This enriches and develops our education and research, and our approach. My belief is that the most useful and necessary knowledge required to meet today’s increasingly complex social problems, is knowledge that does not restrict itself to subject and organisational boundaries. This implies locally, re-
HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY • 5
6 • HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY
the university of innovation Halmstad University became an independent higher education institution in 1983. But the first courses were launched much earlier, in the early 1970s.
Halmstad University is a popular and innovative place for higher education and research. We are known for a rich range of education programmes and courses – of which many are unique – and our special atmosphere. The thresholds are not high here. There is diversity and a wide range of choices, at the same time with a tangible proximity: proximity between education and research, between students and teachers, between subjects and between the University and other players in society. Our research is outstanding and has achieved international renown in many areas. Collaboration between people, between organisations and cultures is both important and enriching, both for the individual and for society. Collaboration is absolutely necessary for the developement of research and education. It is equally important that knowledge developed at the University can be of use to the society and to people. Ever since the beginning, collaboration has been one of the characteristics of Halmstad University. Our interaction with companies, associations, municipalities, county councils, schools and other players in the field of education and research is extensive. Every day there is cooperation in various forms: projects, mentoring, guest speakers, work placements, degree projects and essays. This is why we also say that Halmstad University is the university of opportunities. This is where unique, inspirational opportunities exist to realise dreams and ideas. On your own, or together with others.
Lina Lundgren is living her dream. Having studied Biomechanical Engineering at the University, she is now a teacher and a Ph.D. student, conducting research into her major passion in life: kite surfing.
HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY • 7
8 • HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY
THREE PROFILE AREAS Halmstad University has three profile areas within research and education.
Halmstad University undertakes research in many exciting fields. Research is often multidisciplinary, i.e. it covers several different subject areas. Another characteristic is the close contact with trade and industry, associations and the public sector. Research undertaken by our researchers reflects the University’s profile and contributes to the general development of knowledge in society and at the same time gives courses a link to research. More than half of the money that finances research at Halmstad University comes from external funding organisations. The biggest financiers are the Swedish Knowledge Foundation (“the KK Foundation”), the Swedish Research Council, Vinnova and the European Union. Research at the University is coordinated by the Faculty board and is organised in research environments. THREE PROFILE AREAS IN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION On a general level, the University’s education programmes are divided into three areas. Within each area there is a designated research environment that guarantees contact with cutting edge research, and together they give the University a clear profile. The first area deals with the study and development of society and industry; here the research edge is in Innovation Sciences. The second, dealing with design and development of innovations in the form of products and services, has a leading research centre in Information Technology. Finally, the area focusing on quality of life has its research edge in Health and Lifestyle. Interaction between these three areas is particularly interesting and gives the University its unique profile of innovation. Within each of the three profile areas we have the right to issue degrees at doctoral level. Innovation Sciences Innovation sciences combine social and behavioural aspects of management and organisation with fields of a more scientific and technological nature, with the purpose of understanding innovations’ inception, creation, commercialisation and establishment on the market. Innovation sciences cover a field in which knowledge and understanding of processes can support industry, the public sector and society in general in future development of innovation and economic growth. This takes place via the creation of new products and services, new technologies, new business models, new organisational solutions, growth of new knowledge-intensive sectors, and not least through the renewal of societal functions. HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY • 9
10 • HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY
outstanding research Research at Halmstad University is internationally acknowledged and often multidisciplinary.
Designated Research Environment: Centre for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Learning Research – CIEL The main purpose is from a multidisciplinary perspective to develop research, knowledge and expertise within innovation, business enterprise and regional learning. Research into small and medium-sized companies’ business activities focuses on innovation and product development work, strategy and management, business enterprise, marketing, financing and internationalisation. Within regional development, research is carried out in organisation, management, learning and equal opportunities in regional developmental initiatives. Information technology Information technology research and education has a focus on embedded and intelligent systems and is characterized by well-developed collaboration with industry and society. Themes are built upon cooperation between the disciplines, but also on cooperation outside the area of information technology. Current themes that have been built up to achieve international recognition include: cooperative embedded systems, aware intelligent systems, and digital service innovations. The research environment has also chosen, with regard to the application of the technologies, to prioritize certain areas, among them health technology and traffic and transport systems. Designated Research Environment: Embedded and Intelligent Systems – EIS EIS is the University’s largest research environment. EIS covers many areas of information technology – from nanotechnology to human interaction and business models. Still, EIS has a clear focus: cooperating embedded systems based on new, enabling technologies are being researched and developed for intelligent products, processes and services. HEALTH and LIFESTYLE The welfare challenges that society is facing today (e.g. aging population, increased mental illness among young people, marginalisation of disabled people) require building interdisciplinary knowledge of health and lifestyle related issues. Health and Lifestyle research at Halmstad University holds a strong position with a tradition of distinct relevance for users and practice, including studies at the societal, organisational, group and individual levels and relations between them, with specialisations in nursing science, disability science and sport psychology. The joint research efforts focus on understanding, explaining and modifying people’s health and lifestyles, and develop knowledge both in terms of theory, research methodology and practice. HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY • 11
12 • HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY
outstanding research Our research has close contact and good relations with trade and industry, associations and the public sector.
Designated Research Environment: Centre for Research on Welfare, Health and Sports – CVHI Within CVHI, research is conducted on topics such as public health, disability studies, health sciences, human geography, linguistics, nursing, education (focusing on health), education (focusing on sports), psychology (focusing on sports), community dentistry, social work and sociology. Other research environments Biological and Environmental Systems – BLESS The applied natural sciences at Halmstad University are built on a foundation drawing from the basic sciences of biology and chemistry with specialisms in ecology/environmental science and biomedicine/biomechanics. Centre for Social Analysis – CESAM CESAM is a multidisciplinary social science research environment. The development of cross-border knowledge, via innovative approaches, is included within the workvision. Participants/actors, both nationally and internationally, are included in these terms of collaboration and co-production. Research into Education and Learning – FULL Research in this environment deals with subject didactics (including the contents of teacher training), practical research, collaboration with municipalities and schools, and relationships between education/schools and the outside world. Context and Cultural Boundaries – KK The collaborative research environment Contexts and Cultural Boundaries brings together researchers, lecturers and PhD students affiliated to the School of Humanities with a common interest in the issues of culture, identity, narrativity and territory. Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design – MTEK This research environment is aimed at products’ functional features and at early product phases of product development, design and digital product models. There is also research in industrial photonics, lightweight structures and wind power technology.
In September 2012, H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf and H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden visited Halmstad University during their official visit to Halmstad. The Queen was then offered to try one of the successful products that have been developed at the Centre for Health Technology Halland – Bike Around.
HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY • 13
14 • HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY
RESEARCH EDUCATION We issue doctoral degrees in the fields of Innovation Sciences, Information Technology and Health and Lifestyle.
Halmstad University issues doctoral degrees in the fields of Innovation Sciences, Information Technology and Health and Lifestyle. Postgraduate studies in the field of INNOVATION SCIENCEs Innovation Sciences may be viewed in the context of economic development and changes in trade and industry and society, and deals with issues such as entrepreneurship, company management and business development. Research education in this field focuses on the dynamics of innovation processes, the interplay between different players and commercial potential, particularly in international contexts. Postgraduate studies in the field of INformation technology Information Technology includes, for example, computer science, telecommunications, systems engineering and electrical engineering. Research education is organised in two subjects: computer science and engineering, and signals and systems engineering. Postgraduate studies in the field of Health and Lifestyle In this field, research is conducted from a multidisciplinary perspective on the factors that affect and are affected by health and illness, both on individual, group and community levels.
Anita Sant’anna is a researcher at Halmstad University. She came to Sweden and Halmstad University from Brazil in 2007 to start her doctoral studies. In 2012 she defended her doctoral thesis ”A Symbolic Approach to Human Motion Analysis Using Inertial Sensors: Framework and Gait Analysis Study”, and is now one of the post-doctors in the Halmstad Embedded and Intelligent Systems Research Environment, EIS.
HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY • 15
energy economist pre-school teacher engineer/biologist public hea mechatronics engineer tourism developer lth coach teacher ambulance nurse web designer cultural writer eer international marketing manager n i g n e cad nurse media produce r working life scientist systems developer ntist ie sc l a t n e m n o r vi n e economist IT forensic scientist
16 • HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY
go beyond Halmstad University also has a site in the town Varberg. A few of our programmes are held at Campus Varberg, for example the nursing and energy economist programmes.
keep the dream alive There may be many reasons why you choose to study. Some people want to “have an education”, some want to continue their education and some have their sights set from the beginning and know exactly what their objective is. Whatever the reason, we want our students to have the opportunity to realise their dreams. In practice this means that whether you choose traditional courses or unique, exciting combinations, you can be sure that the education will be of high quality and that the teachers will be skilled educators and outstanding researchers. All education is linked to research, which means that the education is based on relevant, current research and that researchers are involved in tuition. We also offer distance learning. This provides opportunities to study also for those who find it difficult, because of geographical distance, work or family circumstances, to follow the courses provided on campus. If you want to continue your studies, there are one- and two-year master’s courses and postgraduate courses. We also issue degrees at research (doctoral) level in three areas: Innovation Sciences, Information Technology as well as Health and Lifestyle. Read more about this on page 15. Put briefly: If you study at Halmstad University, you can rest assured that you will have an education that is of high quality and that you will acquire valuable knowledge for the future. An education does not automatically guarantee a job, but it opens up new opportunities, and an academic qualification naturally increases the options in the labour market. all around the world Internationalisation is an important element of ensuring high-quality education. Halmstad University offers plenty of opportunities to study at foreign seats of learning and to do work placements abroad. By the same token, foreign exchange students come to Halmstad and there is a tangible international feel to the campus. The University has many exchange agreements and partnerships with universities all around the world.
HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY • 17
18 • HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY
contacts & relations All our programmes include some kind of collaboration with external parties.
contact with the working life – proximity to the labour market Many surveys show that our students find jobs after their studies. According to the Swedish Economic Forum, Halmstad University has a significant effect on regional development as our students are successful in new business startups. Year after year, we top the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise’s ranking of how good the country’s universities are at collaborating with trade and industry. In the ranking of 2013, the results were exceptional and outstanding for Halmstad University: the Master’s programme in Mechanical Engineering is the country’s number one programme in all categories when it comes to harmonising the study programme with industry. Halmstad University has four programmes in the top ten study programmes in all categories and ten per cent of the 100 top-ranked study programmes in the country belong to our University. Six of the top ten study programmes in the field of engineering can be found at Halmstad University. No wonder we are proud! This is definitely an acknowledgement and shows the strength of our strategy. We are convinced that contacts with the working life while people study is part of the reason for this, and we therefore focus in particular on collaboration and creating contacts. Education at Halmstad University is characterised by close collaboration with trade and industry, organisations and associations. As good as all of our programmes include some kind of collaboration with external parties. This can take the form of, for example, work placements, mentoring companies or projects, where theory is interwoven with practical experience.
HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY • 19
20 • HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY
contacts & relations For more than 35 years, Halmstad University has been a place for creativity and innovation.
creativity and cross-border activities Halmstad University has a long tradition of developing skills in innovation, entrepreneurship and business development. For more than 35 years this has been a place where the ability to display creativity and innovative power is constantly being manifested. Our students are successful and are often rewarded with awards and grants. One of Sweden’s most successful electronics companies, HMS Industrial Networks, once started as a student project, and another student was, in 2011, named as one of Sweden’s 101 premier top talents. These are just a couple of examples; we could make the list into a very, very long one. A “can-do” approach and entrepreneurship are encouraged at Halmstad University. Many of our courses are designed to give students the ability to become used to managing projects, utilising their driving forces and thinking creatively. We offer advanced support for anyone who wants to try out an idea or start up their own business. Our student coaches inspire and support any students who are considering starting up a company or who want to develop a business concept. They are based at Science Park Halmstad, which is jointly owned by Halmstad University and Halmstad Municipality. At Science Park Halmstad, young companies are given the chance to develop with the aid of professional coaches.
-
The prize money comes from a donation from the late upper secondary lecturer Sten Fåhré. This donation is currently producing a return of around SEK 400,000 per annum. The grants are intended for engineering students at Halmstad University and were awarded for the first time in 2004.
creativity thrives at utexpo Utexpo is one of Halmstad University’s oldest and greatest traditions. It is the annual degree fair, where hundreds of students display their degree projects, all of them filled with ingenuity and creative passion. upper secondary lecturer sten fåhré’s memorial fund A donation from the late upper secondary lecturer Sten Fåhré enables the University’s engineering students to be rewarded with grants every year to a total of SEK 300,000 –400,000 for, among others, “best degree project” and “best student”.
In 2013, Robin Persson and Denijel Becevic were rewarded with SEK 100,000 from upper secondary lecturer Sten Fåhré’s Memorial Fund for the best degree projects in the Programme in Innovation Engineering.
HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY • 21
22 • HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY
COLLABORATE WITH US Collaboration with other parts of society is important in terms of developing education and research. It is equally important that the knowledge that is developed here reaches society and can be used.
DEVELOPING TOGETHER Collaboration with other parts of society is central to and important for the University. We believe that knowledge develops best in collaboration with different players, and in an interplay between theory and practice. Our “glocal” networks, both in our region and in the rest of the world, are wide-ranging and relationships with trade and industry, the public sector, associations and other institutions of research and education are close. A large part of our collaboration is aimed at giving students contact with life at work during their studies. It is important that students’ knowledge is linked to the reality in which they will be working after their studies. Collaboration offers a chance to try out theoretical skills in practice, to make contacts and create networks. We encourage entrepreneurship and what we refer to as a “can-do” approach. Our University has always been a breeding ground for innovations and new business startups. Many of our courses give students the ability to become used to managing projects, utilising their driving forces and thinking creatively – thanks to a large extent to the courses’ close collaboration with trade and industry, the public sector and associations. The benefits are mutual. Companies and organisations gain access to the University’s knowledge and competence, as well as an opportunity to put their operations on show and guarantee future recruitment needs. There are many ways of collaborating with the University. They can involve anything from students undertaking small projects at a workplace to more long-term research work. Here are a few examples of collaboration: Collaboration with students Degree projects and essays, joint project assignments, work placements and ”mentoring companies”. Collaboration with researchers Joint research projects, strategic research initiatives and competence recruitment. Pre-studies for support of innovation. Industrial PhD students. Skills development Contract education, Regional Development Centre, the Management Academy and the Halland Equal Opportunity Centre.
Stamp: Swedish Champion of collaboration The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise
Influence on the University’s educational courses Education in collaboration, open lectures, guest lectures, programme and industry advice, qualified occupational courses and local study centres. HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY • 23
24 • HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY
innovation Through our innovation support, we help both students and researchers to further develop ideas for new products, services or companies.
INNOVATION SUPPORT AT THE UNIVERSITY It is the University’s ambition to make use of the creativity and the wealth of ideas that exist among our students and researchers. Students who want to further develop ideas for new products, services or companies can try out their business ideas during their studies through the University’s pre-incubator. Researchers who want to develop research results in a corporate form are offered support in the same way. The pre-incubator is run by Halmstad University and is located in Science Park Halmstad. Science Park Halmstad, which is owned jointly by Halmstad University and Halmstad Municipality, runs the incubator. The incubator is the next step for new business startups following a time in the pre-incubator. The incubator looks after young companies from academia, trade and industry and the public sector, and offers support in the growth process. Science Park Halmstad’s activities also include a company hotel. Besides help with business startups, the University’s innovation support includes activities such as student inspiration, career guidance and grants. Student coaches are there to support, coach and inspire students along the path to entrepreneurship and new business startups in all subject areas. The University’s holding company invests – through venture capital and competence – in knowledge-based local and regional companies with a link to the University.
The University’s student coaches “ Ta steget” (“Take the Plunge”)
HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY • 25
26 • HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY
STUDYING IN HALMSTAD It’s easy to enjoy yourself in a creative environment.
Three GOOD REASONS TO STUDY AT HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY … An innovative university Our top-ranked degree programmes in exciting, cuttingedge areas are highly regarded far beyond the academic world. Our programmes are focused on innovation to meet the real needs of businesses and societies, both today and in the future, and that gives you a competitive advantage. An ideal size Our ideal size lets us dedicate personal attention to every student on campus, to support your success during your studies and to launch you into the career of your dreams. Being a small city, Halmstad offers a peaceful study environment and makes for close relationships between researchers, students and businesses in our community. An ideal location We are located in one of Sweden’s greenest, smartest and healthiest small cities, with an inspiring riverside and seaside setting that includes Sweden’s most famous beach. And Halmstad is just a short – under 90-minute – drive or train-ride from Göteborg in one direction and the MalmöCopenhagen metro area in the other. … and of course: the Student life Halmstad is often rated as an excellent university town and is said to have the best freshers’ week in Sweden. The freshers’ week is preceded by months of planning and preparation, all done to make all new students feel welcome, to help them getting to know the university, fellow students and a new home. There are a lot of other benefits of being a Halmstad student, such as the wide range of both practical and fun student union activities, the many student associations with their varying interests, the culture and entertainment scene on campus as well as in the town centre, and of course, the social interaction with other people.
HALMSTAD UNIVERSITY • 27
Halmstad University, Department of Strategic Support – Strategic Communications, June 2013.
Halmstad University’s campus is known as ”Kvarteret Bærtling” (The Bærtling Area) after the famous Swedish artist Olle Bærtling (1911–1981), who was born in Halmstad. Many of his works can be seen around the Campus, thanks to a partnership with the Bærtling Foundation and Halmstad Municipality.
Halmstad University
P O Box 823, SE 301 18 Halmstad, Sweden Visiting Address: Kristian IV:s väg 3 Telephone: +46 35 16 71 00 E-mail, Registry clerk: registrator@hh.se www.hh.se