External engagement and collaboration with society are a natural part of the University of Borås and permeate the university’s work.

A starting point and basic prerequisite for our external engagement are academic integrity and room for critical dialogue, as well as sound scientific or artistic grounds for our education and research. 

Further starting points for external engagement are: 

• Higher Education Act (1992:1434).
• The university's vision and goals
• Agenda 2030 and the Global Sustainability Goals
• Research bill

External engagement and collaboration at the University of Borås consist of the relationships we have and all the activities we carry out together with entities in society in order to contribute actively to creating and using knowledge, strengthening each other's development, and contributing to the development of society. External engagement includes a wide range of different types of relationships and activities in research, education, utilisation, and innovation, which are conducted from the local to the international level. 

Through collaboration, value is generated for both the university and stakeholders in society. For the university, relevance, attractiveness, and contribution to quality development in our research and education are key values that are strengthened through collaboration. Through collaboration with society in higher education and research, the university contributes to society's long-term knowledge provision and sustainable development. 

Education

Education at the university at all levels should be relevant for students and society at large and provide good conditions for lifelong learning and a sustainable work life. Collaboration in education is to be an integrated element that provides natural conditions for quality development and attractive education, as well as developed preparedness for students for professional life and its changes.

Research 

The university is to provide good conditions for collaborative research for mutual knowledge development, renewal, and quality development.  This collaboration is important in applied research, basic research, and professional development as well. 

Utilisation and innovation

The university works to ensure that pathways to utilisation, innovation, and societal impact are part of the university's activities and the university's environment. Through our collaborations, use of knowledge, and competence at the university, the university contributes to innovation, transformation, and renewal in society.

The university and its settings

The university offers creative and relevant physical and virtual settings for knowledge development and co-creation between academia and partners in society. At the university at both the organisational and the individual level, successful collaboration and utilisation work are stimulated and supported.

Strategic development and follow-up 

Management at all levels is responsible for the strategic development and systematic follow-up of external engagement, including utilisation and innovation, and for ensuring that collaboration contributes to quality development within the university. The Vice-Chancellor and the university's management functions are to ensure that both the approach and policy are incorporated throughout the university.