From vision statement, goals, and strategies to university operations

Goals – steps towards our vision

The starting point in working with the goals has been that there should be a clear link to the university's vision statement: Together, we take responsibility for the future. Through continually developing distinctive education and research, we make a difference. The goals are intended to be steps towards achieving our vision.

“There are different ways to work with goals. In the business world, people often talk about ‘SMART goals’, which are measurable and concrete. Our conditions here are different. Therefore, we have chosen to formulate goals that are broader and allow for dialogue and joint interpretation in different parts of the university. By talking about the goals, they can be translated into priorities that suit local conditions – without losing sight of the important conversations and ideas along the way,” explained Ulrika Ekholm.

The goals for the period 2026–2030 are:

• The attractive university
• Distinctiveness and societal relevance

The goal of The attractive university remains from the previous period.

“We have considered this to be central to remain in place because it is about our identity as an open and reflective knowledge environment that safeguards free and critical thinking. This is something that is especially important to protect right now, given societal development,” said Ulrika Ekholm.

The new goal of Distinctiveness and societal relevance builds on the previous goal, Complete academic environments.

“The new goal is more clearly linked to our vision. Although the basis remains the same, we need to focus on continuing to strengthen the university’s distinctiveness and relevance to society. We do this by conducting education and research that is relevant, of high quality and based on societal needs and global challenges,” said Ulrika Ekholm.

“The goal is in line with the decision that the Governing Board of the University of Borås recently made to work towards becoming Sveriges textiluniversitet. It is both about contributing to the global goals and about being part of the partnership needed to achieve them – where cooperation, knowledge, and shared responsibility are central.

The strategies – guidance on how to achieve the goals

The strategies should guide how we approach our work to achieve the goals. With the support of the strategies, the Faculties and units plan activities that support the university’s goals and contribute to the development of their activities.

“Here it is important to dare to prioritise based on the development needs of your own unit. The idea is not for the strategies to be a checklist to be ticked off,” said Ulrika Ekholm.

For the coming period, the strategies are threefold:

• Together and collaboratively
• A vibrant campus
• Excellent environments

Together and collaboratively is a strategy retained from the previous period.

“It’s a strategy that will become increasingly important in the future. We face complex societal challenges that we can only solve by working together, both internally at the university and in collaboration with the surrounding community,” said Ulrika Ekholm.

The new strategy A vibrant campus is about meeting people and creating knowledge and development together.

“A vibrant campus is shaped by us who spend time and work here and by the way we meet, collaborate, and learn from each other,” explained Ulrika Ekholm.

The third strategy, Excellent environments, focuses on our distinctiveness.

“It is basically about being clear about what we are good at. When we show what makes the university unique, it strengthens our ability to be seen and thus to create collaborations, attract funding, and attract future competences.”

Policies are integrated into university operations

In working with goals and strategies, important keywords have been to refine, clarify, and simplify. This has resulted in a number of university-wide policies being removed.

“There were too many parallel processes to consider, which meant a lot of duplication. Issues from previous policies are today an integrated part of operational planning and already established procedures for follow-up. Collaboration, internationalisation, sustainable development, and gender equality are part of our goals and strategies, which means that important issues are addressed continuously and systematically,” said Ulrika Ekholm.

Everything is based on our shared values

The goals and strategies do not stand on their own. They are based on the university’s vision and on the shared set of values that the Swedish government adheres with its six core principles: democracy, legality, objectivity, freedom of expression, and respect as well as efficiency and service. The University of Borås will soon also sign the Magna Carta Universitatum, an international declaration that clearly affirms academic freedom and the autonomy of higher education institutions.

“Through this, we mark our commitment to safeguarding these principles and anchor them in our values,” concluded Ulrika Ekholm.

Read more about the university's vision statement, goals, and strategies