REVIEW OF UU INNOVATION’S FOCUS AND ORGANISATION
The Vice-Chancellor has ordered a review of UU Innovation’s organisation and overall focus (UFV 2020/2188). The analyst’s remit in brief is to explore the scope for developing UU Innovation’s activities in light of the University’s Mission, Goals and Strategies and ongoing strategic development in the disciplinary domains and the University Administration. Uppsala University Innovation (UU Innovation) is Uppsala University’s organisation for supporting the commercialisation of research and ideas, and for research collaboration with non-academic organisations. UU Innovation is formally answerable to the Vice-Chancellor. Further information: Tom.Petersson@uadm.uu.se
MEASURES TO PREVENT INFECTION AT CONFERMENT CEREMONY
This year’s Spring Conferment Ceremony, which was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, will be held on 13 November (news article in Swedish). The ceremony will be adapted to prevent the spread of infection. Jubilee doctors, for example, will be honoured in absentia. The ceremony will be held in three rounds on the same day and will be streamed in real time. Due to current restrictions, the traditional banquet at Uppsala Castle following the ceremony in the Grand Auditorium will not take place. Instead, there will be receptions for the new doctoral graduates and a small number of guests in the Hall of State at the Castle.
COVID-19: RESEARCH PROJECT AIMED AT DETECTING LOCAL OUTBREAKS
Uppsala University and Region Uppsala are launching a joint research project aimed at mapping, preventing and suppressing the spread of COVID-19 virus in Uppsala County (news article in Swedish). The goal is to rapidly detect local outbreaks using data from several sources, including 1177 Vårdguiden and virus measurements in wastewater, and use the information to curb the spread of infection. The general public can contribute to ongoing research on COVID-19 by taking part in the research study COVID Symptom Study Sweden, in which Uppsala University is participating.
UUSI: SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Uppsala University Sustainability Initiatives (UUSI) is a platform in which researchers from different areas can meet and collaborate on sustainability issues, in close cooperation with companies and organisations. These issues include climate change leadership, urban development, water issues and economics. The collaboration is now being broadened by a new initiative in social justice (news article in Swedish).
INFECTION PREVENTION MEASURES IN EXAM ROOMS
Many students, particularly students in at-risk groups, worry about being infected with COVID-19 during a written exam in an exam room. To minimise the risks, numerous preventive measures have been taken at all the University’s exam venues.
SOCIAL DISTANCING WARDENS PREVENT CROWDING
Uppsala University has employed social distancing wardens to ensure that groups of people do not gather too closely together and that the recommended distance is maintained between individuals at the various campus areas.
NO STAFF PARTY THIS YEAR
The staff party (the “November party”) is cancelled because of the current pandemic. The party for staff throughout the University generally attracts around 600 guests. The University is following the recommendations of the Public Health Agency of Sweden in cancelling an event with so many participants.
OSCAR PRIZE TO TWO OUTSTANDING RESEARCHERS
The winners of the 2020 Oscar Prize are Marcus Lindskog of the Department of Education and Ocean Cheung of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The prize money comes from a donation made by King Oscar II to mark the University’s 400th anniversary in 1877. The Oscar Prize is awarded by the University Board.
LINGUIST RECEIVES SEGERSTEDT MEDAL
Mats Thelander, Professor Emeritus of Swedish, is to receive the 2020 Torgny Segerstedt Medal (news article in Swedish). The Torgny Segerstedt Medal was established to honour Torgny Segerstedt for his achievements as Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University over a period of 23 years, and was first awarded in 1988. The medal is awarded every second year to “Swedish scholars for particularly commendable achievements in the humanities and social sciences”. The recipient of the medal is selected by a committee chaired by the University’s Vice-Chancellor and consisting of the deans of the faculties of theology, law, social sciences, arts and languages.