Karolinska Institutet, KTH, Stockholm University forms university alliance Stockholm trio

An international type model of a university alliance will be established between Karolinska Institutet, KTH and Stockholm University. The aim is to strengthen the development of the Stockholm region and to highlight the internationally distinguished research and education environment that the three universities constitute together. An agreement will be signed on 27 May that will make it easier for the three universities in the Swedish capital to enter into joint collaborations with universities around the world.

Karolinska Institutet, KTH and Stockholm University are all strong universities in their respective fields. The three universities form a complete academic environment that stands up very well in an international context.

Among other things, the agreement, which will be signed by the three Presidents on Monday, 27 May, aims at creating new conditions for university-wide research and education, emphasising the pre-eminent academic environment that the parties constitute together and strengthening activities funded at the universities.

"With broadly speaking coherent campuses and a dynamic academic environment, our universities constitute an important prerequisite for not only research and education but also growth in the Stockholm region," says Astrid Söderbergh Widding, President of Stockholm University.

A large number of close collaborations between the three Stockholm universities have existed for a long time in several areas. SciLifeLab, one of Europe's largest research centres for molecular biology, is an example where Uppsala University, together with the Stockholm universities and national infrastructure, have been able to quickly establish an internationally leading research environment. By acting as a common player, the Stockholm trio have also recently concluded a cooperative agreement with Tokyo University, a kind of cooperation that will become increasingly important in the future.

"Together, we can use our resources in a more efficient way and promote interaction between different disciplines and thereby increase the quality of our research and education," says Ole Petter Ottersen, President of Karolinska Institutet.

The aim of the agreement is not a future merger of the universities, but some joint functions will be set up for the Stockholm trio, e.g. a co-ordinating secretariat.

"We want to show the potential of this cooperation and how the strengthening of the overall academic environment in Stockholm will benefit the city, the region and Sweden," says Sigbritt Karlsson, President of KTH.

This release was first published 28 May 2019 by the Stockholm University in EurekAlert!.