Chalmers: delegation to Google headquarters

A delegation from Chalmers, led by President Karin Markides, has visited Google’s head office at Mountain View in California to run a joint workshop on innovation and entrepreneurship.

The host was Rikard Steiber, Global Ads Marketing Director at Google and a former Chalmers student, in association with the network US Friends of Chalmers University of Technology. The programme included experience from a research collaboration that has already commenced.

“It is of course extremely pleasing that Chalmers has been presented with the opportunity to work so closely with Google on ways of cultivating creativity and entrepreneurship, both among individuals and within large organisations, and examining what is required to actually succeed on the world market,” says Markides. “Proof of Google’s capacity for renewal and its impact, is something we all see on a daily basis.”

“Google is collaborating with us based on the quality of our research and education. Rikard Steiber is an example of the opportunities that a Chalmers education can open up. Collaboration with Google is in line with Chalmers’ long-term strategy of creating new meeting points and exchanging experience with key players. One of our priorities is to go further in our co-operation with Stanford University and other parties in Silicon Valley.

During the autumn, Chalmers will offer newly-graduated students work placements at companies in Silicon Valley, something no other Swedish university can offer.

“We are currently looking for two individuals with entrepreneurial drive who can build networks and acquire experience that will in time reinforce the innovative spirit in and around Chalmers,” says Mats Lundqvist, Director of the Chalmers School of Entrepreneurship.

"It is our hope that the individuals who are given the chance, will see and learn in Silicon Valley, will return to Sweden after their placements and contribute to innovative advancement and promote new or developing companies.”