We celebrate our first 10 years as a university 2015
This is our history, but also a glance at the future.
The future we create together every day.
Choose a track to explore
Before we became a university
Our history is described by means of milestones and articles divided into themes. Please scroll down or use the navigation on the left-hand side to explore it!
Teacher and nautical educations start in Härnösand. In the wood-engraving on the left, you can see the school where the seminar and the education took place.
Nursing education starts in Östersund. The picture, however, was taken 50 years later.
The School of Social Studies opens in borrowed premises. Some years later, a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony took place at the site of the construction of new university buildings on Rådhusgatan in Östersund.
Through the reform of higher education in 1977, the University College of Sundsvall/Härnösand and the University College of Östersund were founded.
The two university colleges are merged and together, they form Mid Sweden University that has the ambition to become a university. The photo is of a happy board headed by Torbjörn Fälldin.
The nursing colleges in Sundsvall/Örnsköldsvik and Östersund are integrated into Mid Sweden University. An “engagement”-party is held with a handover of the keys.
The new university premises open in Åkroken. Åkroken is the oldest part of Sundsvall and the original town centre.
Mid Sweden University expands to Bispgården, where you can study forest management among other things. It was one of few university colleges where you could bring both your horse and your dog.
The first application to become a full university is refused, but the work continues.
Mid Sweden University College opens a campus in Örnsköldsvik. The campus closed in 2007, but there are still activities there that are connected to the university.
The Combined Library is opened in Härnösand. It is a unique collaboration between the county library, the municipality and the university college.
Has Mid Sweden University come halfway to the full university status when it is granted the right to offer doctoral studies and award doctoral degrees in science?
The opening of Campus Östersund with a Prime Minister and beach volleyball.
Mid Sweden University was granted the right to award the Master’s Degree in all fields of study, as well as the Degree of Master of Science in Engineering.
At the third attempt, Mid Sweden University finally got the approval to become Mid Sweden University as from 2005. The good news was immediately used in the marketing.
Education
Rises and falls in the number of applicants, a new grading system, a popular summer university and many exciting additions. A lot has happened with our courses and programmes.
110 Years of Nursing Education in Östersund
In September of 1905, the County council decided to start a course to educate nurses in Östersund. The issue had been brought up ten years earlier,…
Härnösand and Mid Sweden University have a long educational heritage, which goes as far back as 1842. In the beginning, the teacher education lasted for one…
The First Nursing Student Admitted in Härnösand/Sundsvall
The nursing education in the County council of Västernorrland had a modest beginning. In 1894, the County council decided to admit one nursing student to the…
The University College of Östersund and the University College of Sundsvall/Härnösand are Founded
Through the reform of higher education in 1977, both the University College of Sundsvall/Härnösand and the University College of Östersund were founded, as well as ten…
Around the turn of the century, Mid Sweden University made some important investments in additional professors, doctoral students and doctoral studies. The third application for full…
The Right to Award Master’s Degrees and the Degree of Master of Science in Engineering
In 2003, the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education approved Mid Sweden University’s application for the right to award Master’s Degrees in all fields of study,…
From the moment it was founded, it was the ambition of Mid Sweden University to achieve full university status. In 1997, the first application was submitted…
Mid Sweden University took over the Northern Forest Institute in Bispgården
In 1997, Mid Sweden University took over the forest technician programme that had been held at the Northern Forest Institute since the end of the 19th…
The Work Unit in Örnsköldsvik is Given Campus Status
During 1999-2007 Örnsköldsvik received the status of campus and Mid Sweden University was described as having four campuses. Aside from the nursing college activities, a work unit…
The Nursing Colleges Become Part of Mid Sweden University
The integration process between the University College of Sundsvall/Härnösand and the University College of Östersund did not just involve those two university colleges, but also the…
Mid Sweden University - The Foundation for a new University
The discussions concerning a deeper collaboration between the University College of Sundsvall/Härnösand and the University College of Östersund picked up momentum in the autumn of 1990…
Along with education, research is the backbone of our activities. During our years as a university, several of our research results have resounded all over the world.
FSCN is Started by Myat Htun
Forest, forest, forest. In Mid Sweden University region, there are plenty of forests. Therefore, it is logical that the hub of forest industrial research, FSCN, is…
In 1997, Mid Sweden University College started the first Scandinavian tourism research institute, ETOUR. Here, outgoing research at a high level is carried out – which…
Around the turn of the century, Mid Sweden University made some important investments in additional professors, doctoral students and doctoral studies. The third application for full…
The Disciplinary Research Domain of Natural Science - Halfway to Full University Status
A complementary application for full university status was submitted to the government in December of 1999, after the measures suggested by the panel from the Swedish…
It is on our campuses that Mid Sweden University’s own culture has emerged. Gathered here is a colourful mix of national and international students, teachers, visitors – and the occasional horse. Courses and programmes have moved, houses have been rebuilt and a roof was blown off…
Intense Debate as Mid Sweden University Grows
There is a hot debate in the daily newspapers. Should Mid Sweden University move to Frösö Strand or should it remain in town? “The University’s New…
– It began with a crate of office materials. Former chemical engineer Göte Högbom clearly remembers the starting point for the University College of Sundsvall.
When the University College of Sundsvall/Härnösand was established in 1977, there was no unified solution for premises in Sundsvall. For twenty years, the activities were conducted…
The Work Unit in Örnsköldsvik is Given Campus Status
During 1999-2007 Örnsköldsvik received the status of campus and Mid Sweden University was described as having four campuses. Aside from the nursing college activities, a work unit…
Our history is described by means of milestones and articles divided into themes. Please scroll down or use the navigation on the left-hand side to explore it!
After a long wait and a lot of hard work, Mid Sweden University finally became a full university. A number of activities were organized, among others a jousting tournament in Härnösand, a cross-country relay in Östersund and a cableway in Sundsvall. In the evening, the Prime Minister Göran Persson gave an opening speech.
For the autumn term, the number of applicants to the other Swedish universities increased by one per cent. For Mid Sweden University, the number increased by no less than 14 per cent! The reason was probably our new university status. Whether or not the hope and joy of the study advisors in the year 2005 had anything to do with the number of applications is another story.
After last year’s great increase, the rate of application to Mid Sweden University courses and programmes decreased significantly, despite the promise of the best student life in Sweden during the Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals in Åre. It was mainly the courses and programmes in technology and computers that attracted fewer students. An improved job market was considered to be a possible explanation.
There will no longer be a Mid Sweden University campus in Örnsköldsvik. The nursing educations will be moved to Umeå University. The Digital Printing Centre and some courses and programmes will remain and still exist in Örnsköldsvik to this day.
English, subject didactics and pedagogy become research subjects, which means that Mid Sweden University now has 20 research subjects. In the autumn, miun.se will also be given a new look.
A new Swedish education and degree structure was introduced in accordance with the Bologna Process. At the same time, Mid Sweden University also chose to change its grading scale to a seven-step scale, in order to increase comparability with other countries. One of the objectives of the Bologna Process is to increase mobility. In the photo, some students have moved outside into the spring warmth/chill on a day in May.
The first RUN parliament is held. The Regional Development Network (RUN) is a collaboration between municipalities, the teacher education and the National Agency of Special Needs Education and Schools. Over the years, RUN becomes highly appreciated and important to the school development in the region.
Anders Söderholm becomes Vice-Chancellor. The photo is from the opening of house R that same year.
The Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre is made a research centre. The foundation for the centre was laid several years earlier and the idea was to build a skills cluster for elite sports in Jämtland-Härjedalen.
Student recruitment is made a priority and in the autumn of 2009, the number of applicants to Mid Sweden University increases to be significantly above the national average.
A new development plan and our well-known core values benefit, proximity, curiosity see the light of day.
MIUN Innovation is formed as a way of supporting the process where will and results from researchers and students lead to business concepts and businesses. MIUN Innovation also becomes part of the Innovation Office Fyrklövern, which is a collaboration between the four “new” universities.
The distance students make up all of 54 per cent of Mid Sweden University’s students. It is the highest share so far.
The student union membership is no longer mandatory. After 30 June, university students are no longer required to join the student union. The membership became mandatory in 1667. The student unions mean a lot to Mid Sweden University and student life. The photo was taken during one of many introduction activities for new students
Risk and Crisis Research Centre, RCR, becomes a new research centre and its focus is on developing knowledge about risk, crisis and security.
The education strategy for 2011 – 2015 sets a clear agenda to reach excellence in e-learning and cooperation with working life in both research and education.
Mid Sweden University receives more applications than ever, and yet the government decides to reduce the number of student places in the budget proposals.
After a two-year qualification process, the research fields Forest as a Resource (FSCN) and Industrial IT and digital services (STC) at Mid Sweden University have been selected to be Knowledge Foundation environments. Mid Sweden University is one of three higher education institutions in the country that have been selected.
The research strategy for 2012 – 2016 sets the direction towards Mid Sweden University’s three overall aims for the research, which are profiling, internationalization and cooperation.
The government gradually lowers the funding cap by about 50 million until 2016. The funding cap is the maximal amount of funding that a university may receive and in practice, it determines how many students we can accept.
The company MIUN Holding is formed in order to commercialize research and knowledge developed at Mid Sweden University and to make them available to the public.
A new organization from 1 April, which, among other things, means a transition to a two-level organization divided into two faculties with subject-based departments, and a centralization of administrative functions.
In order to improve future quality, an assessment of research and cooperation called ARC13 is conducted and a large part of the staff of the organization is able to catch their breath after extensive self-assessment work at the end of the year.
The decision is made that the activities in Härnösand will be relocated to Sundsvall. The criticism is massive and Torbjörn Fälldin, who was a driving force in the establishment of Mid Sweden University, returns both the hat and the ring that he received when he was awarded an honorary degree. After discussions with Vice-Chancellor Anders Söderholm, they decide that the hat and the ring will be passed on to the Minister for Education and Science.
The Sports Tech Research Centre is established. It is an interdisciplinary research centre focusing on applications in sports technology and product development. It is Mid Sweden University’s eighth research centre.
Mid Sweden University is declared the Summer University of the Year. The award is presented by the Saco Student Council and is given to the university that, in the best manner, offers students the opportunity of a meaningful occupation all the year round.
Education
Rises and falls in the number of applicants, a new grading system, a popular summer university and many exciting additions. A lot has happened with our courses and programmes.
10 years in seven minutes
The film summarizes a part of all that has happened during our ten years as a university. It begins with a message from biathlete and honorary…
2015 / Education / Personal memories / Research / Student Life / The People
A new Vice-Chancellor with clear priorities and a number of attractive programmes meant that Mid Sweden University got a higher share of applicants than any other…
The German Press is Horrified at the Crown Princess’s Visit
How could Prince Daniel let the pregnant Victoria climb a steep ladder – in high heels? A royal visit to Mid Sweden University provoked strong reactions…
In February each year, the RUN Parliament is held. It is a highly appreciated initiative by Mid Sweden University. It brings chief education officers, school politicians…
Mid Sweden University is Declared the Summer University of the Year
“Mid Sweden University admits more summer students than any other Swedish university and provides a good and serious range of courses.” In 2014, Mid Sweden University…
Mid Sweden University Had the Greatest Increase in the Country
For the autumn term in 2005, the number of applicants to the other Swedish universities increased by one per cent. For Mid Sweden University, the number…
When Mats Tinnsten travelled to Italy to sign the Magna Charta, it was an important statement – it demonstrated that Mid Sweden University will always work…
A Two-Day Celebration When Mid Sweden University Opened on 10-11 February 2005
On 10 February, the official and ceremonial opening of Mid Sweden University was held in Härnösand Cathedral. Among the 300 specially invited guests were the Mid…
2005 / Education / Our Campuses / Student Life / The People
After a two-and-a-half year long process, Mid Sweden University finally got its own Psychology programme, which was a source of relief and happiness to everyone involved.…
In order to strengthen Mid Sweden University’s profile in the fields of tourism, winter sports and outdoor life, Skarp Åre was started. The one-year education was…
Statistics can be interpreted in many different ways. For example, in 2005, we could see that the number of students who had graduated from Mid Sweden…
A large number of Mid Sweden University’s students are distance students and we are one of the largest providers of distance education in the country. The…
Mid Sweden University offers the largest number of summer courses
Environmental politics, leadership, games programming, economics, mathematics… And why not runology or mountain ecology? In the summer of 2010, Mid Sweden University was the largest provider…
Along with education, research is the backbone of our activities. During our years as a university, several of our research results have resounded all over the world.
10 years in seven minutes
The film summarizes a part of all that has happened during our ten years as a university. It begins with a message from biathlete and honorary…
2015 / Education / Personal memories / Research / Student Life / The People
Two Crucial Agreements for the Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre
The success of the Swedish national team in cross-country skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver made curious gazes turn to Östersund. What was it…
Bo Hilleberg Awarded One of Five New Honorary Degrees
Mid Sweden University’s activities to create a profile for itself in outdoor recreation have been successful. Over the years, we have collaborated with the strongest outdoor…
Breakthrough in the Manufacturing of Amorphous Metal
In the autumn of 2012, exciting things were happening at Sports Technology, the Department of Technology and Sustainable Development. In collaboration with the company Exmet AB,…
The Travels of Twilight-Fans Fascinate in a New Book
Every day, hundreds and sometimes thousands of people pilgrimage to two small American communities, Forks and La Push. These people are inveterate Twilight fans. They photograph…
With fanfares, singing, music and a gun salute from the Jämtland Field Artillery, Mid Sweden University’s new doctors, professors and honorary degree recipients were celebrated at…
In 2013, around 50 international experts assessed 28 research subjects and seven research centres at Mid Sweden University. When ARC13 (Assessment of Research and Coproduction) was…
When the Washington Post phoned Mats Tinnsten, he was truly surprised. – I never would have guessed that our research on the Stradivarius violin would have…
On page 2 of Mid Sweden University’s Research Strategy for 2012-2016, it states, among other things, that “the research at Mid Sweden University should be of…
What places, situations and objects do children and young people regard as the most perilous ones? That is what the Research Friday mass experiment in 2012…
Mid Sweden University is Awarded Knowledge Foundation Environment Status
Finally! After a two-year qualification process, Mid Sweden University has been selected to be a Knowledge Foundation environment. Mid Sweden University is one of three higher…
“Bringing excellence together” is the motto of Mid Sweden University’s Risk and Crisis Research Centre (RCR). At the opening in 2010, national and international contacts in…
“Talking” paper with embedded digital information – that you need only touch for sound to flow out of printed speakers. The information technology of the future…
How can the earth’s resources be saved by more things being connected to the Internet? That is an issue Professor Mattias O’Nils and his colleagues at…
Bodil Malmsten and Bengt Saltin are awarded honorary doctoral degrees
On 22 September 2006, Mid Sweden University arranged its first Annual Celebration. Twelve new professors and five new doctors were celebrated with great splendour. Bengt Saltin…
Opening of the Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre
2 golds. 5 silvers. 4 bronzes. The cross-country skiers’ success at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics was historic. And it was at the Swedish Winter Sports…
Magdalena Forsberg and Lars Näsman are awarded honorary doctoral degrees
At the Annual Celebration in 2008, a six-time world champion in biathlon and a research-focused graduate engineer were awarded honorary doctoral degrees by Mid Sweden University.
How did our Vice Chancellor feel about his new job? Why did Anna Ottosson choose to study at the same time that she focused on her skiing? Who was awarded an honorary degree and then returned it? We highlight some of all the important people who have written our history.
10 years in seven minutes
The film summarizes a part of all that has happened during our ten years as a university. It begins with a message from biathlete and honorary…
2015 / Education / Personal memories / Research / Student Life / The People
Bo Hilleberg Awarded One of Five New Honorary Degrees
Mid Sweden University’s activities to create a profile for itself in outdoor recreation have been successful. Over the years, we have collaborated with the strongest outdoor…
The German Press is Horrified at the Crown Princess’s Visit
How could Prince Daniel let the pregnant Victoria climb a steep ladder – in high heels? A royal visit to Mid Sweden University provoked strong reactions…
With fanfares, singing, music and a gun salute from the Jämtland Field Artillery, Mid Sweden University’s new doctors, professors and honorary degree recipients were celebrated at…
Malin Burman – from Student to Driven Entrepreneur
A year after she had been awarded her degree from the Risk and Crisis Management Programme, Malin Burman received an award called “Young Entrepreneur of the…
When the Washington Post phoned Mats Tinnsten, he was truly surprised. – I never would have guessed that our research on the Stradivarius violin would have…
A Two-Day Celebration When Mid Sweden University Opened on 10-11 February 2005
On 10 February, the official and ceremonial opening of Mid Sweden University was held in Härnösand Cathedral. Among the 300 specially invited guests were the Mid…
2005 / Education / Our Campuses / Student Life / The People
Bodil Malmsten and Bengt Saltin are awarded honorary doctoral degrees
On 22 September 2006, Mid Sweden University arranged its first Annual Celebration. Twelve new professors and five new doctors were celebrated with great splendour. Bengt Saltin…
When Lena Ivarsson received the e-mail informing her that she had been awarded the scholarship “Excellence in Teaching”, she had to read it several times. She…
Magdalena Forsberg and Lars Näsman are awarded honorary doctoral degrees
At the Annual Celebration in 2008, a six-time world champion in biathlon and a research-focused graduate engineer were awarded honorary doctoral degrees by Mid Sweden University.
By making our research easily accessible, it can quickly be of benefit to the public. Miun Innovation, Fyrklövern and the work tool Easy Access are some of the initiatives that have started over the years, which make it easier for researchers and students to make their ideas a reality.
Mid Sweden University First to Introduce Easy Access
In order to get the researchers’ ideas out of their desk drawers – and to ensure that the research results would be of actual benefit –…
Malin Burman – from Student to Driven Entrepreneur
A year after she had been awarded her degree from the Risk and Crisis Management Programme, Malin Burman received an award called “Young Entrepreneur of the…
“Shadow a Student” was one of many highly appreciated activities during the Konkurrenslyftet project, which was intended to encourage more upper secondary school students to continue…
Mid Sweden University take an active interest in exchanges with universities and colleges all over the world – and in the international students that come here. Swedish courses including obligatory tasting of fermented herring, collaboration with a design programme in Japan, researcher and teacher exchanges.
Social Work Students Go to India for Field Located Education
For many years, social work students at Mid Sweden University have been able to go to India for field located education. The 15-20 weeks that they…
In connection with the Bologna University’s 900th anniversary in 1999, a group of European Ministers for Education gathered. They began discussing how a common system for…
When Lena Ivarsson received the e-mail informing her that she had been awarded the scholarship “Excellence in Teaching”, she had to read it several times. She…
Eat, sleep and breathe svenska (Swedish).” This describes the very essence of the intensive course in Swedish that was held at Mid Sweden University for several…
Do you remember which year the student union membership stopped being mandatory? How many medals did our talented ski students win at the Olympic Games in Vancouver? And how many Lenten buns did that Chinese students really eat? What memories do you carry with you?
10 years in seven minutes
The film summarizes a part of all that has happened during our ten years as a university. It begins with a message from biathlete and honorary…
2015 / Education / Personal memories / Research / Student Life / The People
Malin Burman – from Student to Driven Entrepreneur
A year after she had been awarded her degree from the Risk and Crisis Management Programme, Malin Burman received an award called “Young Entrepreneur of the…
A Two-Day Celebration When Mid Sweden University Opened on 10-11 February 2005
On 10 February, the official and ceremonial opening of Mid Sweden University was held in Härnösand Cathedral. Among the 300 specially invited guests were the Mid…
2005 / Education / Our Campuses / Student Life / The People
It is on our campuses that Mid Sweden University’s own culture has emerged. Gathered here is a colourful mix of national and international students, teachers, visitors – and the occasional horse. Courses and programmes have moved, houses have been rebuilt and a roof was blown off…
2 Million Books From The University Library
During its first ten years, more than 2 million books have been borrowed from the library. Since 2008, the physical loans have decreased and the share…
What places, situations and objects do children and young people regard as the most perilous ones? That is what the Research Friday mass experiment in 2012…
A Two-Day Celebration When Mid Sweden University Opened on 10-11 February 2005
On 10 February, the official and ceremonial opening of Mid Sweden University was held in Härnösand Cathedral. Among the 300 specially invited guests were the Mid…
2005 / Education / Our Campuses / Student Life / The People
