Letter from the Dean
Last changed: 17 September 2025
Maria is a researcher at SLU. Today, she’s visiting a preschool to talk about life below the surface of the soil. With her, she brings stereo microscopes, a big plastic box containing four species of earthworms, and a jar of springtails collected from leftover soil samples. The five-year-olds crowd around to look through the microscopes, laughing out loud as the springtails dart out of view. The next day, in the preschool playground, the children are playing “scientist” and excitedly tell each other that earthworms are BOTH girls and boys.
On another day, at the traditional spring cattle release at Lövsta, 3,000 visitors gather to watch the joyful cows and enjoy cinnamon buns in the spring sunshine. In the middle of the crowd stands Robert, also a researcher at SLU. In front of him is a table of pots with growing crops – oilseed rape, timothy, potatoes, and sugar beet. Visitors gather to guess which plants were used to make the crisps offered in bowls nearby. But the sugar beet fascinates most – with its large root and wild “hair”, it’s hard to believe it can be turned into Saturday sweets. A boy turns to Robert, eyes sparkling and mouth full of crisps, and says “When I grow up, I want to study at SLU.”
Together, we sow seeds of curiosity – seeds that grow and may one day become future students, researchers, and colleagues. Maria, Robert – and all of us – are SLU. Each of us plays a part in sparking curiosity and building understanding for the important work we do. It’s moments like these that give me energy in my role. I feel proud to be part of SLU.
One of our biggest challenges right now is student recruitment. Fewer people are applying to our programmes, and that’s something we need to take very seriously. As the new vice dean First and Second cycle Education and chair of the Programme Board, I see this as one of our most pressing issues.
To make the right investments, we first need a shared vision. For me, it’s clear: the NJ Faculty – and SLU – should offer degree programmes that are unique, relevant, and of the highest quality. Programmes we can be proud of, and that students actively choose. And we won’t achieve this alone – we’ll do it together. Together, we create the conditions and build a strong educational environment where both students and staff thrive.
I would like to extend a special thanks to our programme directors of studies, who play a crucial role in maintaining the quality of our education. Their three-year term of office ends on 30 June, and on behalf of the NJ Faculty I want to offer my warmest thanks to Camilo Calderon, Margarita Cuadra, Mattias Eriksson, Hanna Friberg, Ulf Grandin, Karin Hamnér, Su-Lin Hedén, Ruben Hoffman, Saeid Karkehabadi, Helene Larsson Jönsson, Tomas Linder, Jennifer McConville, Gunilla Mårsäter, Lovisa Nilsson, Patrik Oskarsson and Örjan Östman.
We are currently working on developing a new Master of Science in Engineering programme focusing on technology in agricultural and forestry systems – an area where the industry’s need for expertise is great. The programme will be unique in its kind, and while all the pieces aren’t yet in place, the commitment and drive to succeed are strong.
It will undoubtedly be a significant undertaking, but this is a real opportunity to make a difference – to educate future experts in a field where the needs are clear and growing.
With both humility and great enthusiasm, I step into my new role. I’m looking forward to what we will achieve – together!
Ida Kollberg, Vice Dean of first and second cycle education