Millions in funding for the School of Engineering

The School of Engineering (JTH) at Jönköping University (JU) has been awarded just over SEK 40 million for eight projects within its research and education environment SPARK from the Knowledge Foundation.

"This means that we can continue to build knowledge and develop skills that are relevant to the industry's competitiveness," says Kerstin Johansen, Associate Dean of Research at JTH and Program Manager for SPARK.

Eva Schelin, CEO of the Knowledge Foundation, emphasizes that over the past nine years they have had the pleasure of supporting and following SPARK's progress closely.

"We are pleased to continue to contribute to the development of SPARK by funding a number of new projects at JTH that build on strong research and high industrial relevance. It is also very gratifying that SPARK chooses to invest in further education for professionals — something that is becoming increasingly important for the business community's skills supply," says Eva Schelin.

Distributed between all research environments

The eight JTH projects supported by the Knowledge Foundation are distributed between all six of the schools applied research environments, which Kerstin Johansen sees as particularly gratifying.

"This indicates both the breadth and depth of our research, and we are very pleased with the constructive collaboration we have with the Knowledge Foundation, where we must constantly demonstrate a forward-looking approach and strategic development together with industry," says Kerstin Johansen.

High level of ambition

SPARK's project portfolio has a high level of ambition and the choice of program forms is designed to contribute to the development of the three areas of strength: In:sure, SuMMaC and HCIAI. There are projects that strengthen research, through the recruitment of international visiting professors and research projects focussing on sustainability aspects, but also projects focused on training initiatives for professionals. Two research projects specifically focus on the development of young, newly qualified researchers and the green transition in industry.

"Ensures the regrowth of our research"

"We have built in an opportunity for our young researchers to step into project management roles by having senior researchers as mentors and participating in large research projects. This is rewarding for them and ensures the regrowth of our research, which builds stability and continuity going forward. The support of the Knowledge Foundation also allows us to continue our development to contribute to the green transition and links and strengthens the collaboration between our research environments at JTH," says Kerstin Johansen.

Continued focus on development

She look forward with confidence to their continued focus on developing SPARK's activities in all strategic areas (external effects, research, co-production and education and management/support processes). Here JTH's and SPARK's development has a clear connection to major external challenges. These include the EU countries' need for increased competitiveness and the combined transition towards a green and digital economy..

Peter Swalander, Operations Development Manager at JTH, is the Operations Manager of SPARK.

Read more about SPARK's three areas of strength here Opens in new window.