LTH could support Sony Mobile’s Lund software venture

In conjunction with the recent announcement of cutbacks at Sony Mobile in Lund, the company announced that it is to establish a development consulting firm. Software researchers at Lund University’s Faculty of Engineering (LTH) believe that the venture will present opportunities.

“Lund actually has the strongest expertise in software engineering in Sweden. Sony’s venture could help to reinforce this profile by creating and attracting new companies and job opportunities and turning the crisis into something positive”, says Björn Regnell, Professor of Software Engineering and Vice Dean of Research at LTH.

He and his colleagues in the field are now helping Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Anders Axelsson and Lund University Vice-Chancellor Per Eriksson to determine how the faculty can use its cutting-edge expertise to support the venture.

One possible measure could be to quickly put together courses for commissioned education covering subjects such as software development for different products and services.

“Our software institute Sigrun can also support the establishment of new companies by providing expertise on innovation processes and software development. We can also admit industry-based doctoral students, who combine industry experience with research”, says Per Runeson, Professor of Software Engineering. He is also director of the industrial excellence centre EASE and is ranked as one of the world’s best software engineering researchers.

He stresses that software is about much more than mobile communications.

“Software is found almost everywhere and is the core of medical technology, automation and vehicles.”

Mobile Heights, LTH’s cluster organisation for mobile communications, is another important partner. The organisation includes Lund University, Blekinge Institute of Technology, Malmö University, Region Skåne and a number of IT companies.

Kristina Lindgärde