CV of SLU

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a sector university under the Ministry of enterprise, energy and communications. The SLU mission is to develop knowledge and expertise that contributes to quality of life and sustainable growth, based on a long-term utilization of biological natural resources. SLU activities are characterized by a strong link between education and research of high international standards and close collaboration with industry and sectors concerned.  The SLU role is integrated with developments within agriculture and forestry sectors, food industry, veterinary medicine, natural resources and the environment, as well as within rural development and landscape architecture.

SLU has national responsibilities as well as international obligations as part of Swedish international commitments and policies.  Therefore, SLU has a vast network of regional partners and agencies within Sweden and all around the world including countries in Eastern Africa, South East and Central Asia, Central America, Europe and US, Canada, China and Russia. The international cooperation is predominantly financed through Swedish research and development financing institutions and through the European Union Framework Programs. Presently SLU is successfully participating in about 50 EU Framework programs, several of which as coordinator.

SLU’s sectors encompass the agrarian industry, veterinary medicine, natural resources and the environment, as well as rural development and landscape architecture. As a sector university, SLU has a clear profile and is the sole player in Sweden within several areas.

SLU has also national responsibility for several unique vocational educational programs that meet considerable needs within the sectors concerned. In addition to basic research, SLU pursues problem-oriented activities governed by the needs of its sectors, including experimental and developmental operations, information focusing on industry, and government support. SLU’s special task with regard to environmental monitoring and assessment contributes to its unique profile. As a consequence of its separate geographical locations, SLU is also in a special position to facilitate effective collaboration with both trade and industry as well as seats of learning in the regions. This allows the university to provide a collective point of entry for the authorities and other interested parties.

A unique feature of SLU is the combination of substantial research in natural resource management and biotechnology with that of environmental monitoring and assessment which has resulted in internationally well respected work, especially concerning anthropogenic and climate change impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Research on the structure and function of forest ecosystems is regarded as world class.

SLU´s strategy identifies six profile areas, where SLU research is especially well positioned from an international perspective.

1. Innovative use of genetic resources and biotechnology.
2. Improving animal health and welfare.
3. Novel solutions for combating negative effects of climate change.
4. New production systems for the sustainable management of natural resources.
5. Increasing quality in the food chain.
6. Sustainable development in urban and rural environments.

SLU is a research-intensive university with around 3800 employees, including 200 professors, and 3900 undergraduate students and 330 PhD students. Research and teaching activities are carried out throughout the country at four main campuses: Alnarp in south Sweden, Skara in the west, Uppsala in central Sweden and Umeå in the north. Activities are spread between several departments and four faculties: the Faculty of Landscape Planning, Horticulture and Agricultural Sciences, the Faculty of Natural Resource and Agricultural Sciences, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science and the Faculty of Forest Sciences.

The annual turnover of SLU is about EUR 350 million, of which 55% is government grants, 18 % operating incomes, 26 % external grants and 1 % financial incomes.  The university administration includes functions for internal auditing as well as contracts for external auditing of e.g. international projects. The SLU administration comprises service functions as a Grants Office with the role to facilitate preparation and administration of international research and cooperation projects.

Below are some paragraphs about SLU taken from official publications, including the web.

"SLU’s knowledge is an important component in many things that people take for granted. Whether it is the food we eat, or the animals we either husband on our farms or love as pets, or the forests that we wander in - all are subjects of SLU’s attention.
SLU works with everything that grows, whether it is plants that provide us with food, give us income, or are just there to be beautiful. The knowledge that we supply is essential to enable us to utilize our forests, our landscapes, our soil and our animals in a sustainable way. This sustainable use will allow us to develop, and will also guarantee a good quality of life for our children and grandchildren.
SLU is the university that educates and researches for life Research and education at our university spans the range from genes and molecules to biological diversity, animal health, sustainable forestry and food supply – and all in a healthy environment. We are also concerned with global phenomena such as the greenhouse effect. A comprehensive view, interdisciplinary studies and applicability are the ethos of SLU’s research and education, and in our contacts with industry and society. At our university you will find people with an ardent interest and devotion to their work, and who combine traditional knowledge with a pioneer spirit."

A short presentation of SLU
SLU (Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) is a university with a clearly defined role in society: to take responsibility for the development of learning and expertise in areas concerning biological resources and biological production. This responsibility stretches over the wide-ranging fields of agriculture, forestry and food industry to environmental questions, veterinary medicine and biotechnology. A comprehensive viewpoint, inter-disciplinary approach and applicability are keywords in SLU's research and teaching and in the contacts with industry and society.
University activities are spread between several departments in four faculties: the Faculty of Landscape Planning, Horticulture and Agricultural Science, the Faculty of Natural Resources and Agriculture Sciences, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science and the Faculty of Forest Sciences. A total of 3 200 people are employed at the University. SLU offers a broad spectrum of educational programmes and single subjects courses. About 3 300 undergraduates and 800 postgraduate students are enrolled at SLU.
Main campuses are located at Alnarp, Skara, Ultuna and Umeå. Research and teaching activities are carried out throughout the country."

About university rankings:

http://www.slu.se/en/research/research-excellence/university-rankings/

https://student.slu.se/en/sw-news/2017/4/cwur-rankning/