Umea Universitet

Umea University was founded in 1965 and is Sweden's fifth oldest university. Today, we have a strong international presence with students, teachers and researchers from all over the world. As one of the leading comprehensive universities in the nation, we are alive with enthusiasm, innovation, creativity and fresh ideas.

We have developed interaction between research, education, collaboration and innovation that challenges boundaries and plays a crucial role in the region's development. The University is a dynamic meeting place where interdisciplinary knowledge is generated and disseminated. Creative environments attract students, researchers, teachers and collaborating partners nationally and globally. The University Board is the University’s highest body. The decisions they make include the allocation of resources within the University, sets important matters concerning the University’s organisation and lodges annual report and budget documents to the Government. The Board also sets admission regulations for undergradate and graduate education, and appointments procedure.

During 1965 there were only about 2,000 students. Today the total of students - including those at the postgraduate level - is approximately 31,000. Many of these students are taking courses via distance education, or online learning. Additionally, there are 2,032 teachers and researchers employed by the university.

The point of departure for the vision document is that in the year 2020, Umeå University will have a strong international position as one of Sweden's leading universities, and that the university will have developed interaction between research, education, collaboration and innovation that challenges boundaries and plays a crucial role in the region's development. The university gives its students and staff unique opportunities for professional and personal development, whilst simultaneously providing society with new knowledge, and creative people, both locally and globally. The objectives in the vision document are formulated under three main headings.

Our overall objectives have the main headings:

• A long term approach facilitates a high level of risk-taking.
• Creative environments stimulate dynamic meetings.
• Collaboration creates development and improves quality.

Our objectives have the main headings:

• An attractive educational offering at all levels.
• Skilled teaching staff.
• Encounters with research and the outside world.
• A strong international dimension.

The highest branch at Umeå University is the University Board of Directors. It is the responsibility of the Board to decide on, among other things, the distribution of resources within the University. The Board is made up of eight members who are appointed by the Swedish government. The board represents both community and business interests. Therefore, it is possible to have a Chairperson that is not a member of the University body. The Board is also made up of the Vice-Chancellor, three members of the Board whom represent teachers, and three members of the Board for the student body as well.

Every faculty at Umeå University is headed by a Dean, who is also the chairperson for their faculty's respective Faculty Board. The Faculty Board is responsible for scientific research, post-graduate education, as well as undergraduate education within the faculty. The board's members are elected to their posts, with exception to the student members. The basic unit of the University is the department. Departments carry out education as well as research within one or several related issues. The department is the primary work place, not just for students, teacher and researchers, but as well for other professionals such as secretaries, janitors, technicians and instrument makers. The department is normally lead by a departmental board where at least two students are members. The head of every department has the title - Head of Department (in Swedish: Prefekt).

Umeå University is not an academic island. We seek to share our knowledge and our research findings. External contacts are of extreme importance, as is an on-going dialogue with the general public, with the public sector and with industry. To this end, we have established special resources aimed at building bridges of understanding and mutual enlightenment between education/research and society/industry. Among these special resources are organizations such as the Office for External Relations, Uminova Innovation, and Uminova Invest.

The International Office cooperates with faculties and departments at Umeå University to facilitate the possibilities for students, teachers and administrative staff to participate in mobility schemes that aim to provide an international dimension to their study or work experience. Together, we also work to provide a good level of service to the international students at our university. The International Office manages and coordinates the university’s participation in the Nordic Centres in India and as well as the Erasmus, Nordplus and Linnaeus-Palme programme. Umeå University cooperates with more than 600 international universities throughout the world.