Researchers, students, capital and universities are competing and there is increasing movement across national borders. The quality of research is enhanced by international collaboration and it is a crucial factor in meeting many of the great challenges facing society.
IVA’s project Research Outlook has analysed Sweden’s situation and potential for international collaboration and exchange, focusing on countries outside Europe. Actors in China, India, Brazil and South Korea are growing in significance, while the USA still holds a dominant position. It is clear that Swedish actors, such as universities, need to have very good opportunities for internationalisation.
One of the project’s proposals is the creation of a new national strategy for internationalisation of research and higher education. Another is for the responsibility for analysing and monitoring the situation and promoting cooperation to be more clearly defined. A third proposal is for a convergence of initiatives to promote international collaboration in research, education and innovation.
The project’s analysis and proposals were presented at the seminar by Gunnar Svedberg, Chairman and Martin Wikström, Project Manager. This was followed by comments and a discussion about the proposals with Lars Hultman, CEO of the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, Eva Åkesson,Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University and Monika Wirkkala, unit head at the Swedish Institute.