The proximity makes Lund's innovation district unique
Kristina Eneroth is responsible for international affairs at Lund University. What, then, is the most important thing for the university when it comes to international affairs? And what makes an impact internationally for a university? To arrive at that, one might start by looking at what impact universities actually have, and a way of looking at ranking outcomes. Kristina Eneroth reported interesting three rankings. On QS World University Rankings 2025 Lund University is in 75th place. On Times higher ranking Lund University is in 95th place and in the third ranking, Shanghai rankings, the university is placed in the 101 to 150 group, but appears to be heading upwards towards better placements.
- Internationally, it is incredibly important to be in the top 100 list, otherwise you cannot attract the kind of talents and employees you want, says Kristina Eneroth. Talents are not only important for the university, but because they may bring a companion and perhaps even stay after their studies, they create circular effects for Lund.
To know how to work, it is important to analyze what is behind the ranking.
- It's not just about research results, it's about half, says Kristina Eneroth. Here we measure what is published, the number of times it is cited and the level of the journal in which it is published. The second part consists of what universities train in, what students get for jobs, how quickly they get a job and what they get paid after their studies. An increased share relates to how we work with innovation and international collaborations. It is interesting that more and more people are interested in innovation issues and we are strong on that in Lund. There is also a growing interest in collaborating internationally on innovation issues.
In addition to the three rankings mentioned, there are also others, such as the one regarding sustainability.
- We do our sustainability work really well and there we are eight in the world, a real strong ranking. It has increased our visibility in the world and has become a gateway for many to work with us.
Lund University has approximately 650 partner universities in 70 countries and is a major player internationally. During last year, UC Berkeley from Silicon Valley visited Lund to visit the Lund Innovation District .Current Vice-Chancellor Rich Lyons attended, but at the time he was responsible for innovation issues.
- That we have met with the principal for UC Berkeley It has opened doors for us all over the world. We have contacts covering North America, selected parts of Asia, Oceania and of course Europe. Top Ranked University Collage in London was also here last year and wanted to visit the Lund innovation District and facilities like MAX IV. What impresses those who visit us is how we in Lund incorporate the breadth of the university into, for example, MAX IV, not only in the fields of high technology and Life Science, but also in cultural and creative industries, for example by examining artefacts and other types of cultural heritage. This is unique and makes one interested in Lund.
The top international universities usually have an innovation district in their vicinity, and nowadays innovation districts often work together as well. The Innovation District in London has grown out of its current location and came to Lund to take impressions for a new start in another location.
- For example, they were interested in the fact that we already have communication in place through the tram and that the municipality is far-sighted and builds park facilities even before moving into the area. There is a lot for them to see in Lund, not only what the university does but also what is done by the municipality, region or company. It is the dynamics of this environment that create the conditions and arouse interest.
Kristinas Eneroth believes that the high ranking figures are beneficial for many actors, not just the university.
“Our ability to innovate increases the value of the Lund brand,” she says. It attracts talent which benefits the university but also the companies in the region. It is an ecosystem that is starting to spin on a global level thanks to the idea of the Lund Innovation District, which has made us better known in the world. Sweden is highlighted as an example of how to do well and Lund Innovation District is an innovation district that stands out.
Work with the Lund Innovation District has been intense over the past year. What do you see as the big win?
- It has been important to be able to talk about a common forward idea and see what the different actors contribute. We have not seen this before, but have mostly seen the individual parts. It's been rewarding and an eye-opener. In the past, we have also not determined the strength of our innovation district ourselves. A great strength lies in a relative proximity, both geographically and mentally. Many people in Lund regularly talk to each other and it is easy to move around the area. This is very special international fashion, and we are just beginning to understand how unique it is!
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