GDE concerns finding a balance between long-term initiatives that are strategically important for the University and managing the often more short-term adjustments that are needed to keep pace with changes in the surrounding world. An example of the former could be collaborations with leading international universities through which Lund University can create exchanges of experience. An example of the latter could be unrest in the world that hinders student exchanges and for which Lund University needs to redirect resources due to security reasons. Sometimes, these long-term and more short-term perspectives and conditions coincide, and sometimes the work requires a little more patience.
External Relations, in cooperation with the faculties, coordinates roadmaps for each year regarding the geographical areas where the University is involved in different types of activities. These roadmaps are based on the joint evaluations that are carried out every year and are therefore a supplement to all the other international work that is carried out in parallel by staff and research teams.
The Global Hub concept has played a more prominent role in work on the roadmaps for 2025. A Global Hub is a geographically delimited area that can be made up of a city, region, country or continent. Through work involving Global Hubs, the University tries to obtain better and broader knowledge about certain geographical areas where it is important for Lund University to collaborate with international universities on the ground. However, international collaborations with companies and other organisations such as NGOs (non-governmental organisations) are just as important. Geopolitical developments also result in a need to prioritise security issues. From a security perspective it is also important that the University works more closely with collaboration partners in order to gain deeper knowledge and understanding of different areas.
/Kristina Eneroth, pro vice-chancellor for strategy and global issues
Read more:
- Global Dynamic Engagement – roadmaps for 2025 now published
- GDE and roadmaps for 2025: Global Dynamic Engagement
- International Impact Actions: International impact actions
