This calls for endurance

Vice-Chancellor on the crisis: This calls for endurance

“An impressive adjustment is taking place, requiring major contributions from employees as well as students. We do not yet know how long this situation will continue, but we need to see it through,” Vice-Chancellor Eva Wiberg explains.

THE FACT THAT practically the entire university has switched to remote operations involves more work and many challenges, Eva Wiberg points out.

“The University Management Council, where vice-chancellors, deans and the University Director meet each week, has been partly converted into a crisis management council which provides crucial contributions. And the other employees, as well as the students, are shouldering the responsibility in a manner that makes me both grateful and impressed. Everyone is doing their best, but I acknowledge that the situation is tough.”

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, SUHF (the Association of

Eva Wiberg

Swedish Higher Education Institutions) recently set up a crisis and continuity organisation, says Eva Wiberg.

“LAST WEEK, we had an Association gathering that largely focused on the crisis. It was held via Zoom and seventy participants attended. The technology worked excellently, and we were able to split up into smaller groups as well. It was interesting to hear that the other universities are taking similar steps to our own

in transitioning to remote working and learning. But not everything can be solved by digital technology. Certain functions critical to our operations must remain on site, several labs with ongoing experiments must be kept running and the libraries play an important role in terms of lending books and providing other services that enable the continuation of studies and research.”

Eva Wiberg also had a Skype meeting where all the regional authorities, as well as the County Administrative Board, participated.

“In March alone, the employment agencies registered 19,000 job seekers. The Ministry of Education and Research recently tasked SUHF with investigating whether the universities are able to create more places, both in the short and the long term. It is of course important that we contribute to solving the difficult situation in which many people find themselves.”

EVA WIBERG HAS also held Zoom meetings with the universities in Belgium, the UK, France, Spain and Slovenia which are part of the Eutopia Community.

“Many countries face far worse conditions than we do. In several countries, there are bans on leaving your home, unless it is necessary, and gathering in groups is also prohibited. Fortunately, we are not in that situation, at least not yet.”

And of course, nobody knows how long this crisis will continue.

“It is simply a matter of enduring it, while also planning for what needs to be done when the crisis is over. However, I do not believe that operations will return to normal, at least not in exactly the same way as they were, instead we will have learned to use digital technology and to be better prepared for crises.”

IT IS, FOR EXAMPLE, essential to document what is being done, such as the courses that have been cancelled, how examinations are being carried out and what will have to be postponed for later, Eva Wiberg points out.

“Individuals must act responsibly, but collectively we also have an obligation to care for each individual, so that nobody is left alone without any support. I am convinced that all employees and students will manage these and other tasks in an exemplary manner.”

Text: Eva Lundgren Photo: Johan Wingborg