I teach, therefore I am!

Henrik Rönnberg, Professor and Deputy Dean,
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science

Then it took a long time before Platon's academy in any olive grove in Greece created concepts that in some cases still present today. The university's evolution has always been about masters and disciples. Or more commonly used terms; teachers and students. Thus, we cannot talk about universities without mentioning teaching. No teaching, no university.

Academic studies shall have education that is research-based. This is because the concepts taught should be well-founded and supported by thorough studies that are critically reviewed by independent experts. In addition, teaching should be alive and contemporary so that new facts are conveyed to the students who, in turn, use the most appropriate up-to-date knowledge and skills to preserve what is good and develop what needs to be improved!

As a professor, you sometimes carry a misunderstanding that you should "work" when students are not in place. Finally, the articles in the drawer could be completed, the unsubmitted research applications must be submitted and the optimal experiments will be carried out! The professors who think like this full-time are unaware of their history and will basically dig the universities into the abyss.

I will not lie and say that these thoughts have never swirled around in my own academic brain. However, I have always reestablished better thoughts quickly. It is so easy to do when you see how the university is flourishing when the autumn term is coming! The beautiful and fresh premises we work in feel very desolate and sad as they are hollow during the summer. When the term starts again, you understand what the purpose of the campus is - it will be filled with students and their masters.

If you go walking in Uppsala during the Summer, you cannot understand that it is Sweden's fourth largest city. Streets, houses and parks echo empty and gather power for the influx of constantly new knowledge-yearning youth who, after accomplished studies, go out into society and make sure that we all have a better future to live in!

At the faculty this week we have a very important and interesting inspection of the veterinary program, by the European Association of Veterinary Education (EAEVE). They check if we meet meticulously detailed requirements for renewed accreditation. We were reviewed and approved last ten years ago. Thank you for all the coworkers that have done a great job to produce the solid self-assessment report for this review! I look forward to reading the EAEVE report! The proposals for improvements will lead to an even better education here at VH!

Without students, no masters. Keep that in mind all teachers who think there is too much teaching! But as always, life must also be good for the masters! Think of it students - be kind to your teachers. Keep in mind that they must also have time to perform research in order to hold research-based education. This time is created by getting a sufficient critical mass of masters and planning the teaching optimally for smart and sustainable resource utilization. Welcome to all new students! Welcome new and old employees and masters! We teach – therefore we are - at a workplace called the University.

Henrik Rönnberg, Deputy Dean