TransTech developed Mid Sweden University's international research environment
After 13 years, Mid Sweden University’s Transformative Technologies research environment is coming to an end. Funded by the Knowledge Foundation, the initiative has strengthened research, international collaboration and partnerships with industry, benefiting both the university and the region.
Mid Sweden University's research environment Transformative Technologies, also known as TransTech, has developed in just over a decade from individual international collaborations to an established international platform. Over the past three years, around 50 visiting researchers have been employed in the environment, international research funding has increased from approximately SEK 1 million to SEK 20 million per year, and the proportion of scientific articles with international co-authors is now over 75 percent.
"This shows the value of working long-term and strategically with a research environment. Internationalisation does not arise through individual efforts, but through relationships that are built over time and that lead to new collaborations, publications and research projects," says Hans-Erik Nilsson, professor at Mid Sweden University and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Innovation and Business Collaboration.
The transfer has taken place through systematic work with international networks, recruitment, publication strategies and the development of joint research initiatives. The visiting researchers have been given an important role in connecting the research environment with higher education institutions and research groups in other countries.
Deepened international collaborations
A key part of this development is IRS TransTech, the international graduate school where Mid Sweden University collaborates with universities and companies on research in areas including artificial intelligence, industrial IoT, advanced materials and sustainable industrial processes. The graduate school includes a total of 16 doctoral students and brings together three of Mid Sweden University’s research centres: STC, FSCN and STRC.
"Through the international graduate school, we get the opportunity to deepen collaborations that often begin through a visiting researcher or a joint project. The doctoral projects create a long-term perspective in the relationships and allow the collaborations to develop over time," says Mattias O'Nils.
The TransTech2Horizon initiative has also contributed to strengthening the international position of the research environment. The programme has provided researchers with support in developing international partnerships, building European networks and preparing applications for future EU funding.
"TransTech2Horizon has strengthened our ability to attract international funding. It's both about finding the right partners and about developing ideas for competitive research initiatives," says Hans-Erik Nilsson.
Common research issues
The development from individual collaborations to an international research environment also means that Transformative Technologies is better equipped for the next step.
"We have built up an environment where international researchers, doctoral students and companies can meet around common research issues. This gives us better conditions to take on major societal challenges and to contribute to international research and innovation collaborations," says Hans-Erik Nilsson.