We are now in the midst of starting a new semester. Most of the colleagues that I have spoken with since the summer break have shared that they had a good summer, with time for rest and reflection. At the same time, many of you have pointed out that there is no shortage of work and challenges ahead this autumn.
This includes the proposal for a new teacher education programme, work on models for allocating research funding, reconstruction projects and the Swedish Defence University renting space at our campus, as well as the first tentative steps in shaping our long-term strategy and vision for 2040. However, I would like to pause for a moment on the financial challenges that we face, which coincide with the constant need to develop and strengthen our academic offerings.
Most higher education institutions, including Karlstad University, have not received the additional resources that we have become used to in the sector for a long time. For us, this means that we have to accelerate and hit the brakes at the same time, as a result of fluctuations in the number of applicants to our study programmes and courses. All in all, this puts us in a phase of analysis and development, combined with a degree of caution in how we take the next steps towards becoming an even better university that continues to be highly relevant for society.
I would say we are well on our way, but it is important to keep moving forward. At the moment, we are in the second stage of our education overhaul. It is evident that we offer a wide range of study programmes and courses, as well as many options, where our small-scale and flexible approach has major advantages when it comes to attracting students and meeting the needs of other stakeholders. At the same time, small volumes bring significant costs and sometimes make it difficult to achieve the dynamics needed in a teaching situation.
Over the past year, working groups have been appointed, and the first reports were presented after the summer. These reports show that there are many constructive proposals for streamlining, packaging, developing and further sharpening our educational portfolio. During the year, we have also seen several new initiatives, such as the AI programme, the relaunch of the biomedical scientist programme and the master's programme in political science with a focus on psychological defense and disinformation. Three attractive programmes, all of which contribute to knowledge of importance to society. I truly value the efforts being made and look forward to the progress reports this autumn.
