140 international universities at JU Partner Days

140 universities from 40 countries participated in JU Partner Days and Campus Experience at Jönköping University on 8-9 September.

"A fantastic opportunity for us to meet our international partner universities, strengthen our collaborations and build great activities for the future," says Måns Svensson, President of JU.

At the partner days JU showcased the university and Jönköping to 250 visitors from international universities. The guests also had the opportunity to get to know each other and see that JU belongs to a large group with universities from all over the world.

"I strongly believe in cooperation between universities and I am convinced that JU Partner Days contributes to our organization, our students and the world," says Måns Svensson.

The participants got to know more about how JU works with innovation, collaborations, partnerships, internationalization, sustainability and student life. Representatives from Jönköping municipality talked about the area's strong business community, good communications, strategic location and great opportunities.

Among colleagues from all over the world

Maria Sederholm Granelund, Head of JU's International Office, was thrilled to finally launch the Partner Days after months of planning and preparation.

"It's great to be among colleagues from all over the world and show them JU and our beautiful city. I hope they feel that JU is a genuine, welcoming and forward-looking university that is truly committed to international collaborations and partnerships," says Maria Sederholm Granelund.

Jönköping University belongs to EULiST (European Universities Linking Society and Technology) and the partner days were the first opportunity for the alliance's new Secretary General Natia Gamkrelidze to meet several of the EULiST universities at the same time.

"Building understanding and trust in each other"

"Meetings like these are not just about bringing our institutions closer together, but about building mutual understanding and trust. We strive for an interdisciplinary, inclusive and diverse environment for our staff and students," said Natia Gamkrelidze, who took up her post in May.

In an age of digitization, where much of the information exchange takes place on screens, she believes that face-to-face meetings are of great importance.

"It's at meetings like these that innovation is born and collaborations are formed," says Gamkrelidze.

"A dynamic university"

There were many guests from far away at JU Partner Days. One of them was Ivan Chui, Head of Student Exchange at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

"I came here to see what it would be like to study here for our students. I feel that JU is a dynamic institution with a lot of energy. The students are very helpful and actively approach you to show you around the campus or tell you about the university, which I really appreciate," says Ivan Chui.

It was his first trip to the Nordic region and he liked Jönköping very much, which he described as a peaceful and modern city.

"It's great to be here. It is convenient that the campus is in the city centre and I am impressed that JU has so many partner universities, despite being a relatively young university.

During the partner days JU welcomed a delegation from Colombia, in close cooperation with the Colombian Embassy in Sweden. Among the guests were Álvaro Hernán Urquijo Gómez, President of ICETEX, together with representatives from the embassy and several Colombian universities. The event was held in collaboration with the EAIE Conference which is hosted in Gothenburg this year and JU is one of the hosting universities.