University of Gävle and The Municipality of Älvkarleby sign collaboration deal

By strengthening the conditions for research and knowledge development together, we stimulate a sustainable living environment and sustainable social progress, says Vice-Chancellor Maj-Britt Johansson.

Three-year deal

This three-year deal will besides from stimulating research and knowledge development also contribute to good long-term relations between the University of Gävle and The Municipality of Älvkarleby, which is the base for a strong, long-term collaboration.

Creating venues

The point of the deal is to give municipal activities access to new and up-to date research-based knowledge and opportunities to make contacts within the University.

At the same time, students and researchers gain the opportunity for interesting collaborations with all parts of the municipality, which should increase quality in education and research.

These venues for exchanging knowledge create extra value for the programmes and give students important contacts and entry points for a future working life in the Municipality of Älvkarleby.

Four prioritised areas

• The power of attraction—sustainable living environments for citizens and society

The growth of the region depends on the creation of attractive environments for people and businesses alike. For the Municipality of Älvkarleby it is important to be a good employer, and for the University of Gävle it is important to offer programmes with a clear connection to the working life. This will make more people move into the region and this increase in the number of inhabitants will help develop the region.

• Higher competence

Competence supply is a central issue concerning growth for both the business sector and the public one. Sometimes it is hard for businesses as well as municipal activities to recruit. One way is to further educate available personnel, or, on a temporary basis, use a graduate student to solve a given problem.

• Higher levels of knowledge

Employment levels in a society is directly connected to levels of education. The higher the level of education, the lesser the risk of being unemployed. Therefore, if more inhabitants attain a higher level of education, less people will be unemployed.

• Research and innovation

In an increasingly global world, innovation becomes the basis for the competitiveness of a country or a region. This is not only true for the business sector but also for the public sector, since the purpose here is to find new, cost-effective manners of delivering service to the public.

-I am very pleased about the fact that University of Gävle and the Municipality of Älvkarleby now take a firm step towards good social progress, says Vice-Chancellor Maj-Britt Johansson.

For further information, please contact:
Maivor Hallén, Division of communication and strategic partnerships
Tel: 026-64 81 88, 070-605 66 26
Email: maivor.hallen@hig.se

Text: Douglas Öhrbom