Cutting-edge education for a sustainable industrial transition

As the manufacturing industry makes the transition towards more sustainable production, the ways in which companies work are changing in every respect – from production technology processes to business management. University West is launching several new programmes to meet these significant challenges within industry. Six new one- and two-year master’s programmes are currently being prepared to begin in autumn 2022, with even more planned for autumn 2023.

“Today, technological developments are moving incredibly quickly within the manufacturing industry,” notes Per Nylén, Head of the Department of Engineering Science at University West. “The businesses we work with are struggling to find the right expertise within fields such as automation, digitalisation, cybersecurity and the development of electric vehicles.

“We are involved in ongoing dialogue with the University’s industrial partners to match their need for expertise with new cutting-edge education, courses and commissioned education for both new students and professionals within industry.”

“The digitalisation of industry brings new demands in terms of how work is managed and organised,” adds Thomas Winman, Head of the School of Business, Economics and IT. “There are also growing demands for processes and products to be characterised by sustainability – both on an overall level and in terms of individuals’ professional roles.”

Companies need new strategies and capabilities as working methods, communication forms and management are undergoing fundamental changes within digitalised organisations.

“This is true not least of businesses that operate in an international context,” explains Thomas. “Here, employees come together from different cultures, with different perspectives of what constitutes a sustainable organisation.

“Based on industry’s need for expertise, we have devised two unique master’s programmes: Sustainable Development and Leadership in Digitalised Organisations. Both are relevant to several different professional categories, since sustainability affects all employees within an organisation.”

Several new programmes at second-cycle level are due to be ready for launch within two years. An eagerly awaited master’s programme in Electric Vehicle Engineering began in September, and the following programmes will be offered in autumn 2022:

• Master in AI and Automation
• Master in Production Management
• Master in Cybersecurity
• Master in Autonomous Vehicles
• Master in Sustainable Development
• Master in Leadership in Digitalised Organisations

All programmes are integrated with current research and have an international profile.

“The journey towards more sustainable production also needs to take place in a sustainable manner,” says Per. “After all, this is a matter of life-long learning. We have therefore worked closely with our industrial partners to develop a flexible education concept which enables existing employees to combine skills development with their regular work. The concept has proved extremely effective.”

Find out more about the educational concept for skills development 

www.hv.se/en/research/research-projects/production-technology/prodex---expert-i-produktionsteknik/

Since the demand for new knowledge is so great, universities need to work together – not least to meet the automotive industry’s pressing need to make the transition from fossil fuels to electricity.

“Together, we can meet industry’s need for skills in a better way,” concludes Per. “We complement each other with our different areas of expertise, and we can be involved in each other’s programmes. Using everything we have learnt within digital education will provide a successful model for cooperation.”

ABOUT UNIVERSITY WEST

• Technology and learning are combined in a unique manner in the Primus research environment.
• Researchers and industry work together to develop new knowledge that enhances the competitiveness of Swedish industry.
• Sweden’s leading university for Work integrated learning (WIL).
• Nine out of ten students find jobs within 1–1½ years.

Find out more: hv.se/education

For more information:

Per Nylén, Head of the Department of Engineering Science (www.hv.se/en/staff/per-nylen/)

Thomas Winman, Head of the School of Business, Economics and IT (www.hv.se/en/staff/thomas-winman//)