Although several restrictions will be lifted by the end of the month, the autumn term will still be affected by Covid-19. Mainly due to its consequences such as delayed research projects and cancelled meetings. Flexibility and perseverance will be required to fully rebuild our operations.
We also need reflection, new ways of working and joint efforts of will to achieve the goals we decided on this spring in Vision:Medfarm, but I am fully convinced that it is possible to move forward together in the coming years. The first sub-goal in Vision:Medfarm has actually already been implemented, when the Board of the Disciplinary Domain in June decided that the ethics course Research Ethics for Postdocs and Researchers in Medicine will be mandatory for all new employees from 1 July this year.
This autumn, the new 6-year Medicine Programme started. It feels incredibly stimulating to be a part of it after years of preparation and hard work from many quarters. It is gratifying as well that the application pressure for our programmes has rarely been at such high levels as in the autumn term of 2021. That so many young people choose to apply for our programmes is very promising for the future, especially in light of the high strain the pandemic puts on healthcare in Sweden. The value of Medfarm’s work appears to be very clear.
Medfarm thus stands firm, and I am not worried about any approaching autumn storms. However, I long to be able to hold joint non-digital meetings with you again. If vaccination levels continue to rise and no unexpected surprises appear, I hope to be able to meet you on campus, at faculty meetings and dinners. Or maybe at Segerstedt? It will take time before we gain perspective on the pandemic, but we can conclude that new ideas and thoughts are born out of crises. I do look forward to further discussions.
Finally, I welcome you to the 2021 Göran Gustafsson Lecture in Medicine, given by Carl-Henrik Heldin, Professor at Medfarm and Chairman of the Nobel Foundation, on 30 September at 16:00 in the University Main Building. The lecture is open for participation on-site or via Zoom.
Thank you,