In the search for a new Vice-Chancellor.

Wanted: a very versatile person

– All options are open, nothing is off the table.

These are the words of the Chairman of the Board, Peter Larsson, who is heading up the job of recruiting a new vice-chancellor.

– We are looking for a person who has a solid background in academia and is internationally recognized, says Peter Larsson.cerc

THE SO-CALLED requirements profile was adopted by the Board on June 15, which means that the work is entering a new phase. There is a substantial list of requirements. – It must be a person who has a solid background in academia, extensive experience, is an internationally recognized professor who has good leadership skills and excellent knowledge of the higher education system. To put it simply, a very versatile person, says Peter Larsson.

FURTHERMORE, a vice-chancellor must have the following qualities: have integrity, be a strong representative of the university in relation to external stakeholders, both locally and internationally, have a good ability to collaborate and safeguard collegiality and academic freedom, to mention just a few examples. Peter Larsson points out that it does not necessarily have to be a native Swedish-speaker, but someone who is proficient in Nordic languages. This is also why we have stated that the person must have good communication skills and be able to express themselves well in Swedish (Scandinavian) and English, both orally and in writing.

We are hoping to get a number of strong candidates who are both internationally recognized academics and who have proven to be good leaders.

PETER LARSSON

OTHER ISSUES THAT have been highlighted as particularly important for the upcoming term of office are skills supply, the ability to extend the work on sustainable development, digitalization and supply of premises.

At the meeting on March 24, 2022, the University Board decided to initiate “a complete process for recruiting a vice-chancellor”. During the spring, the designated recruitment group met a number of times. – The work has gone well and is progressing according to plan. There is a lot of consensus within the group and it has been easy to agree on a new requirements profile, says Peter Larsson.

Prior to compiling the requirements profile, the group did a comparison with the previous requirements profile that was drafted six years ago, but also looked at similar advertisements from other higher education institutions. – We have fine-tuned the content, added a little here and there. Above all, we have discussed the requirements profile thoroughly. Now the work is underway.

The Board's representatives from the teaching staff, professors Olof Johansson Stenman and Helle Wijk, are particularly pleased with the requirements profile’s emphasis on the university’s commitment and collaboration with society and the importance of internationalization. – We are hoping to get a number of strong candidates who are both internationally recognized academics and who have proven to be good leaders, particularly in research and education.

It is also clear that a recruitment company will be commissioned to continue the process. – That company will get started in mid-August, says Peter Larsson. It will also be possible for people to contact them to express their interest in the job. All options are open and permissible.

PETER LARSSON THINKS that they have allotted more than sufficient time for the recruitment. – There is plenty of time, especially if you compare it with decision-making processes in the corporate world. Nor is there any panic. We have a vice-chancellor whose mandate ends at the end of June 2023, so I'm not at all concerned.

Text: Allan Eriksson Photo: Johan Wingborg