Dean's boarding school fall 2025

On the way

A sunny and clear fall morning! The air is fresh and the leaves are yellow. Tuesday's usual morning bike ride down Krongatan with their simple left turn onto Norbyvägen towards Segerstedthuset felt extra fun as these two days would offer Dean's boarding school!

Today's student representation started off with a regular decision-making meeting together with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, the University Director and the Academy Ombudsman - before we headed to Sigtuna for the real adventure. The upcoming internat is an opportunity for the university's deans (heads of faculties), management and, not least, students to meet to discuss and learn about ongoing university-wide issues: A kind of kick-off in the middle of the semester, you might say.

The bus trip offered very nice company with fellow chairman Sigrid Wellin from the Pharmaceutical Student Union. There was a discussion about the student union house, alumni activities, expectations of the boarding school and of course, childhood movies. We arrived just in time for lunch, whereupon the students immediately practiced a self-chosen segregation to the Prorector's thwarted hopes: We students have to warm up before the mingling with the professors can begin!

On the spot

Full and satisfied, we gathered to start the scheduled sessions in a hall with table groupings that would favor the diverse mingling. It was private seating indeed, but we all understood the task at hand. First on the day's agenda is an "Ongoing" round from the scientific areas, the central management and of course the student unions. In any case, the prize for best presentation goes to Prabash Wijethunga, chairman of the Doctoral Board, who with rhetorical skill presents the needs of doctoral students and current issues. "An important part of being a student representative is to take the seriousness with the fun - something we still manage to do quite well in our well-prepared presentations.

As we move on to the next item on the agenda: the progress report on the research bill, spirits are high on what is for some a heavy topic. However, there are many hands in the air from the various faculties when the question time opens up about how we can improve research funding at the university. It is not always easy to apply for funding for research projects from one's own side in a competitive market that requires skill in application processes - I myself immediately think of my numerous and unfruitful grant applications.

After a quote from Winston Churchill and almost unreadable tables, we move on to something very relevant to us all: the economic situation. The University is used to the idea that money is always available: that research and education are always invested in, but this is no longer the case. Despite the severe austerity measures imposed by the Government, which we all feel in different ways, our Rector Magnificus Anders Hagfeldt still manages to produce a hopefulness worth quoting: "We cannot slow down in the uphill battle".

We continue to talk about AI in education: a topic that attracts many discussions and opinions. It seems to come down to the fact that the whole world has little idea where the development will lead and that it can feel fruitless to plan for how to implement it systematically. But that does not mean we should not try! Here we must signal that we are on the front line of technological development and not turn a blind eye to societal changes.

Day 2

After a quick breakfast on my own (yes, I slept over after a somewhat long evening), we move on to what I personally think is the most fun theme, namely the university's 550th anniversary! Johan Tysk and Anna Liv Jonsson present the timetable, the ambitions and how the money will suffice for all the festivities planned. At my table, wishes are expressed for carnivals that often occurred in the past in the student-friendly Uppsala. But a long table on Svartbäcksgatan in the city center might still be an idea? At least we have an inter-Nordic student meeting in Botan to look forward to!

For some a little less fun, but absolutely as important, are the Goals and Strategies for the University. Unfortunately, this was probably the only time we actually got to interact in small groups - a winning concept! A number of goals are brainstormed and on the education side, students got the chance to show off. Here we set the agenda for what the university should strive for in a 5-7 year term and student influence will probably never be as clear as now. It remains to be seen what the final priority list will be, but rest assured that we are with you all the way!

We sum up the day and have lunch. The students end the internship as we started it: Around a common table - but the discussions over these days did not leave much to be desired and it was overall a very successful trip! Now homeward bound; up Dag Hammarskjölds väg and the northern birches that adorn the roadside at Rosendal. Autumn makes itself felt when we get off the bus outside Blåsenhus.

Are you really going to sit down at your desk and work after all this?