The vice-chancellor of his first spring address: “I certainly want to highlight spring as a time for change”

On Walpurgis Night, traditional celebrations are held at Stora Vall in Kungsbäck. This year also marks the first time that Anders Kottorp, the new vice-chancellor of the University of Gävle, will deliver the spring address.

What are your plans for Walpurgis Night?
– I don’t have any big plans; my focus is on preparing my very first spring speech. I’ll try to be wise and inspiring, but also stay within the time limits. I’m also looking forward to getting a feel for how the celebrations go here in Gävle—it’ll be exciting to experience it firsthand. I don’t think I’ve celebrated Walpurgis Night here since the ’70s.

What does Walpurgis Night mean to you? Is it something you usually celebrate?
– It’s never really been a major tradition for me personally. I remember standing in snowdrifts with young children a few times in Umeå, but it’s not a holiday I’ve celebrated in any particular way over the years.

You’re about to give your first spring speech as vice-chancellor —how does that feel?
– It feels both fun and a little challenging. I’ve looked at previous speeches to get a feel for the tradition. At the same time, I want to put my own stamp on it, of course. I will, of course, highlight spring as a time for change. But I’ll focus more on celebrating the human ability to handle change, to adapt, and to try to turn what’s happening into something positive. That’s something I want to emphasize.

What else do you have going on right now?
– It’s a busy period with many different meetings and engagements. On Monday, I was at the Government Offices for a dialogue with government agencies alongside other university vice-chancellors. There, we discussed current challenges facing the sector and concrete opportunities for collaboration.

We’ve also had a steering committee meeting with the City of Gävle as part of our partnership agreement, where we’re looking at how we can develop our collaboration in a more operational way—which is really exciting.

I also had my first meeting with the Ljungberg Foundation, with which the University has long had a long and successful partnership to promote young people’s interest in technology and the natural sciences. It was an informative meeting! In all these examples, it’s important to remember that change is about perseverance and staying the course. There’s rarely a “quick fix” for changing a society.

Next week I’m heading to Magdeburg, Germany, where the presidents of all the universities within EU GREEN External link. will meet. When I’m back in Gävle again, I’ll attend a costume history soirée at the Gävleborg County Museum dedicated to the memory of textile collector Hedvig Ulfsparre’s legacy. So it’s a fun mix of tasks as a university vice-chancellor!

Text and photo: Marie Hägg Zetterlund

Read more: Celebrate Walpurgis Night at Stora Vall in Kungsbäck External link.