The government has decided to commission Vinnova to analyze the Swedish life science industry. The purpose is to follow developments and clarify Sweden's position internationally.
The pandemic has more clearly than ever shown the importance of a prominent life science sector. The assignment to Vinnova, which takes place within the framework of a national strategy for life science, is expected to contribute to strengthening Sweden as a leading life science nation in the long term.
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The Government has decided to give an additional assignment to the Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ) to study in particular the effects of the covid-19 pandemic on widening access to higher education.
In the summer of 2020, the government commissioned UKÄ to follow up the decisions and initiatives taken in connection with the pandemic, as well as what it may have had for any consequences for the university's activities. In an interim report, the authority has shown, among other things, that dropouts have increased during the spring semester 2020 among students from homes with parents without higher education more than within other groups.
UKÄ shall continuously report the results of the follow-up and submit a final report no later than 1 December 2022.
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In the bill, the government presents the research policy for the years 2021–2024. It covers issues of both research and innovation as well as higher education. The policy is based on the goal that Sweden should be one of the world's foremost research and innovation countries and a prominent nation of knowledge.
The bill includes the following proposal for internationalization and sustainable development.
For Sweden to be a leading research and knowledge nation with research and education of internationally high quality it is required both international cooperation and a high degree of internationalization. Universities and university colleges are part of a global education and research arena and therefore interaction is needed with actors in both high-income countries and in low- and middle-income countries. Reinforced climate considerations must be taken into account in internationalization work.
The Government considers that the current wording on internationalization in the Higher Education Act does not respond to the need for internationalization work that currently exists in higher education and research. Therefore, the government proposes in this bill that the Higher Education Act should be amended so that it is clear that international operations will strengthen quality in higher education and research and contribute to sustainable development. However, international research collaborations may involve certain risks. It is important to ensure the protection of research results because it constitutes a strategic resource in terms of Sweden's economic prosperity and growth. Some research activities at universities and university colleges are therefore worthy of protection activities that are subject to the Security Protection Act.
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The corona pandemic has been a chanllenge for the higher education and there has been a need for quick changes and adjustments. The Swedish Higher Education Authority (Universitetskanslersämbetet, UKÄ) has received a government assignment to follow up the consequencies that the corona pandemic has had on the functions of the higher education institutions due to the decisions taken during the outbreak of the corona virus. Especially interesting should be the quick transition to distance education. Both short term and long term effects on higher education and research are to be studied.
The assignment is to be reported at latest on 1 December 2022.
For more information in Swedish.
60 million Swedish crowns (6 million EUR) will finance the investment in strengthening distance and open online education at Swedish higher education institutions. The intension is to help counter the consequencies of the corona virus on the employment market. Due to covid-19 and insecure employment market there have been record high numbers of applicants to higher education at the same time as there has been a transition to distance education. Additional 30 million Swedish crowns (3 million EUR) will be invested in strenthening the competence for the development of open online education at the higher education institutions.
For more information in Swedish.
The Swedish Council for Higher Education (Universitets- och högskolerådet) has received 15 million SEK from the Government to develop a national test to fulfil the higher education entry requirements for a test period in 2022-2023. The aim is that a person can demonstrate that he/she has the necessary skills and competencies to fulfil the higher education entry requirements and that way open new ways into higher education.
The idea is to complement and not replace validation of prior learning.
For more information in Swedish.
By locating higher education within the Arts at a folk high school (folkhögskola) can new groups of students be reached. Brunnsvik Folk High School in Borlänge is the first folk high school in Sweden to get the right to award higher education qualifications. They will award Higher Education Diplomas in Musicology.
Higher education within the Arts has had difficulties in reducing the existing social bias in recruitment.
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The national wealth of Sweden is facing major challenges. These must be dealt with in cooperation between sectors, through new ways of working and by continuous focus on research and system innovation. With the national strategy the Government lays down a long-term framework to strengthen Sweden as a leading life-science nation.
The Government wants to see more clinical studies within Swedish healthcare. Within its strategy the Government set 30 goals that are considered especially important to reach.
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The government has missioned the Swedish Higher Education Authority to investigate the work done by higher education institutions regarding widening access to higher education.
The Swedish higher education needs to be open and welcoming to all regardless their background. The society needs to make use of all talent that is available.
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The government has appointed two investigators to assist the Ministry of Education and Research to produce a proposal for actions in order to increase the quality of Teacher Education and to help making it more popular.
The proposal should include strengthening the link between theory and practise, increase the focus on methodology, facilitate for those with higher education to choose the teaching profession, shorten the period needed for complementary educational training for those getting a Teacher Education diploma on top of their former academic degree, introduce more teacher-led hours and improve the possibilities to work as a teacher and do Teacher Education studies at the same time.
The investigation should be reported by 31 March 2020.
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The government’s investment in summer courses since 2018 to get more Teacher Education students to study during the summer in order to graduate faster has lead to results. There was a 19 percent increase among students and a 45 percent increase among working teachers who participated in summer courses.
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The Swedish government has proposed an implementation of the EU-directive for researchers and students into Swedish legislation. The proposal has also as a goal to strengthen the appeal of Sweden to highly skilled third country citizens who can contribute with their competence and knowledge.
The Government proposes new rules for residence permits for researchers and students within higher education but also for working or starting businesses in Sweden after their studies or research. New residence permit rules are also proposed for work placements during university studies, for voluntary work within European Voluntary Service and for au pair work.
For more information in Swedish
A new Advisory Committee mainly of rectors and professors of Swedish universities has been appointed for e.g. to assist the Government in the work on the coming Research Policy Proposal.
For more information in Swedish
The Government has given the Swedish Ethical Review Authority the assignment to prepare the establishment of the special committee to examine issues of alleged research misconduct by 1 January 2020.
The Authority is assigned to prepare the tasks of granting premises and managing administrative and handling tasks to the special committee, including the responsibility for the financial reporting. The Government's proposals, assessments and considerations in proposition (2018/19:58) New order for promoting good practice and managing misconduct in research, is to guide the preparation work.
The assignment should be reported to the Government no later than 10 January 2020.
For more information in Swedish please see: (U2019/01983/F) Uppdrag att förbereda inrättandet av den särskilda nämnd som ska pröva frågor om oredlighet i forskning
The Commission of Inquiry on Governance and Resources (SOU 2019:6) has conducted a comprehensive review of the steering of and resource allocation to Swedish state Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The goal is to develop the steering so that it makes it easier for Sweden to become one of the foremost countries within research and innovation and a leading knowledge based society. According to the Inquiry, a first precondition for the fulfilment of HEIs’ complex mission is academic freedom, as a basis for the development of knowledge and the necessary trust that this development is not controlled or limited by political, economic or other interests. Academic freedom needs to be reflected in corresponding responsibilities in the form of integrity and high quality. In addition, academic norms of quality and integrity are upheld through collegial processes which, consequently, are also central preconditions for HEIs’ mission. An active societal responsibility in the form of public engagement and dissemination of knowledge is also central. Lastly, a long-term view, coupled with room for flexibility and renewal, are important conditions.
The inquiry is under consultation until 24 June 2019.
For more information in Swedish with an English summary please see: (SOU 2019:6) En långsiktig, samordnad och dialogbaserad styrning av högskolan.
The Swedish Government has proposed to the Swedish Parliament a new law (2018/19:58) which is based on the Commission of Inquiry to investigate the need for new procedures for cases concerning the investigation of research misconduct, and make proposals to ensure clear and legally certain handling of alleged misconduct. Under the legal regulations, public higher education institutions are to investigate alleged research misconduct internally. The Inquiry concluded that a change of procedures for investigations of alleged misconduct was needed to ensure a system that was more reliable and legally certain. The Inquiry also concluded that a system in which an independent body investigates all alleged cases of misconduct would be best placed to ensure that investigations are handled impartially, uniformly and reliably. It is therefore proposed that such investigations be handled by a new independent agency, the Research Misconduct Board.
The new law is proposed to enter into force on 1 January 2020.
For more information in Swedish please see: (2018/19:58) Ny ordning för att främja god sed och hantera oredlighet i forskning.