Dean of the Department of Engineering Per Nylén on Operations Management
As dean of the Department of Engineering at University West, Per Nylén leads the research team Production Technology West, where he conducts research in engineering and technology as well as production technology, with a focus on thermal spraying. His department has just launched a new Master in Operations Management.
Can you tell us a little about the School of Engineering at University West?
We offer a range of bachelor and master programmes. Furthermore, we offer PhD studies in production technology (engineering) and work integrated learning (social sciences). Production technology is broad and has two tracks:
- Processes and automation, or robotics: how to control factors in a smart way
- Management of production systems
WHAT EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS ARE YOU WORKING ON AROUND Operations Management?
A lot of things are changing in society and production: consumer patterns, logistics, how we buy things, the demand for customisation and the speed of development in computer science and digitalisation.
Management and leadership is now suddenly changing after remaining the same for almost 100 years. As a leader, you now have to understand automation, digitalisation, AI, computer science and sustainability (including recycling, remanufacturing and reskilling the current workforce). How can we meet the new requirements of consumers, products and processes while reducing cost?
In one area, we are helping the auto industry in their work to convert combustion engine powertrains to more sustainable alternatives such as electric. We are developing new types of manufacturing involving automation and AI for the aerospace and vehicle industries.
One example is 3-D printing, which you can use to produce a unique product or component with a batch size of one. This is impossible in traditional manufacturing. It also means you can have production onsite. This globalises manufacturing and is very resource effective, as there is no waste material, no shipping costs, etc.
Our new Master in Operations Management prepares students for this exciting world of production and is also made for professionals in the industry who want to reskill.
Does the new Master in Operations Management take climate change and the circular economy into account?
Definitely! Everything in the programme is examined through a sustainability perspective as well. Students learn about natural resources, to consider where and how things are produced, how much of it there is, and what will happen if they use it.
It is very important to be a leader in sustainability by reducing a company’s footprint. This requires you to be very advanced in your understanding of new technologies, to pursue high-performance and environmentally friendly processes and to utilise recycling and remanufacturing.
The field of production is very creative and exciting. As a leader in this field, you can make real change. Your work will be very innovative because it’s interdisciplinary; you work with people, robots, computers – you even have to understand physics sometimes, even at an atomic level. It is complex and fascinating.
Will students have a chance to connect with advanced research?
Yes! We have important partners in the automotive and aerospace industries. Furthermore, our region in Sweden is a hub for the automotive industry – an industry in rebirth, designing autonomous vehicles, alternative energies, etc. It is a hot spot of creativity. We are also close to GKN Aerospace and will definitely collaborate with them for our new Master in Operations Management programme.
Sweden is known for efficient production and ethical management processes. We have the highest innovation rate in manufacturing in the world, and the ratio of GDP from manufacturing makes Sweden top in the world.
Is there anything else you want students to know?
We have a close relationship with our students. We work more like colleagues. Sweden is not a hierarchical society. It’s not important what your “status” is. It’s important what you think! That’s what innovation is about.