Vice‑Chancellor comments on the extended appointment
On Thursday 2 October, a unanimous Board decided to recommend that Vice-Chancellor Anders Fällström's appointment be extended for another three years from 1 April 2026. With a period of distance from the decision and the consultation process, he says this in an interview.
"I am very pleased to receive continued confidence from a unanimous board. A second reappointment is not a foregone conclusion, nor was it for me, but I feel a responsibility to complete what has begun, due to the challenging situation we now find ourselves in," says Anders Fällström.
During the hearing, some views and criticism were raised towards you in the role of principal. How do you see it?
"Of course, it's tough to hear at times, but I'm not saying that to complain. I am grateful to be able to hear your views. There are different ways of looking at how a university should be governed and developed, but fundamentally I am convinced that we are all striving towards the same goal – to achieve a university that is stronger tomorrow and in the future," he says.
What else do you take away from the hearing process?
"I could mention a lot, because the meeting when I met all the hearing groups was really rewarding. For example, I understand that there has been insufficient communication from me and us in the management regarding the strategy and the investments we are implementing to cope with the financially challenging situation now and in the coming years. The changes are necessary, but I – and we in the management – need to be better at anchoring and clarifying," he says.
How do you want to continue working with this?
"A very positive thing about the joint hearing was that it was perceived as informative and as an opportunity to ask questions and comment on important issues that probably had not been communicated enough. I have received an interesting proposal to introduce a representative, collegial assembly that includes staff from both academia and the administration. I think the idea sounds exciting and I imagine that we will raise the issue at a management council in the near future," he says.
There is already a collegial group consisting of people appointed by the faculty boards. If so, what happens to that grouping?
"Of course, we will also discuss this idea at faculty and administrative level. I think it will remain. Maybe expanded. I just want to signal that we are keen to develop forms to strengthen dialogue and transparency in how management thinks and works. Anchor better. An alternative to this idea could be to have a completely open "hearing" once a semester and in a place where all employees are invited to participate. As I said, the issue is so far only at the idea stage, nothing has been decided and if there are more good ideas, I am interested in listening," says Anders Fällström.
What's at the top of your "to-do-list" right now?
"Like our Chairman of the Board, I would like to emphasise that we are living in a time of economic and geopolitical challenges, when appropriations are decreasing and competition is increasing. It would be a lie to say that we can just sit back and do what we have always done. Major investments have now been made to begin the journey towards what is needed, but it is not enough to meet the future," he says and adds:
"There is a lot left to do and I am sure that there are lots of good ideas about what it could be. There is so much wisdom and creativity among our employees about how a difficult time can still mean development towards the university we are and want to become. That is also why I really encourage everyone to get involved in the vision work and contribute to our future vision," says Anders Fällström.
The Government makes the formal decision on the extension of the appointment.