“It is gratifying that more people want to become engineers, architects and industrial designers”

At last, the campus is bubbling and teeming with life again as LTH’s students return and we welcome new students. The big news is that this year, thanks to what has been dubbed the “engineer package” and the Government’s investment in the green transition, we have been able to expand our capacity on programmes by 100 new places.

Being able to offer more places is, of course, exactly what is needed when we are seeing an increased number of applicants per place for our programmes, and it is gratifying for us at LTH to see that more people want to become engineers, architects and industrial designers.

Last week, we opened our doors to around 700 international students who will be on one of our international Master’s programmes or an exchange in Lund. This week, around 1,200 programme students will also be joining us. In welcoming new LTH students to an exciting education, I would especially like to mention the international students who bring the whole world with them to LTH.

At the roll-call, we talked about LTH’s vision “Together we explore and create – to benefit the world” and that through our programmes you will gain the tools to benefit society as a whole.

It is also worth noting and particularly gratifying this year – which is permeated by the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics[BR1] ) strategy and focused work on widening participation –  that 40 per cent of those we are welcoming to the programmes at LTH are women. Engineering is a profession for the future and, without doubt, is one for both women and men.

Commencing studies at university is for many people a considerable challenge, and it is therefore important that LTH, through its broad student base, is pervaded by a culture in which all feel involved and secure – and where we treat each other with respect.

That culture is important from the first day and throughout your education, and for all those who work at LTH. That is why I am happy that LTH students come from different parts of Sweden and the world, so that education incorporates the diversity that we would like to see. Our collaborations bring together different experiences and approaches, giving us a creative environment and a high standard of problem-solving.

We all contribute to the culture of LTH. With respect for each other’s differences and a constructive spirit in different collaborations, we can also make a great difference in society. LTH is a place for big dreams and discoveries, and here we work hard together – to benefit the world.

I hope that all our new students will get a good start here at LTH thanks to, among other things, the excellent work that the student union, Teknologkåren (TLTH), does together with us at LTH in the introduction weeks.

I would like to bid you a warm welcome to LTH. Don’t forget fellowship and respect – and enjoy the summer for as long as it smiles on us!

Annika Olsson
Dean of LTH

 [BR1]Please note: change “Mathemathics” to “Mathematics” in Swedish version.