
Years 2020-2021
2021
The year 2021 was characterised by the 50th anniversary of Luleå University of Technology. Many different activities and events that initially had to be delivered digitally due to the ongoing pandemic. During the autumn, however, a few physical events could be carried out before new restrictions were introduced.
- Luleå University of Technology's 50th anniversary began in January with a digital inauguration of the year of democracy.
- In the spring of 2021, articles and interviews with old and new employees were published as well as more, mainly digital, seminars and lectures at Vetenskapens hus.
- LTU challenges and quizzes on the University's history were launched on the web.
- July 1 celebrated 50 years since the decision to establish Luleå University with a film with the Vice-Chancellor, Rune Andersson and former Prime Minister Ingvar Carlsson.
- Digital inauguration of the 50th anniversary on September 9 with speeches by the Vice-Chancellor and others. Students from the Academy of Music at LTU entertained.
- On 11 November, an acclaimed Anniversary Concert was held in Kulturens Hus with students, alumni and employees from the Academy of Music at LTU.
- The nomination Alumni of the Year went to former students Shilpi Sinha, Amanda Jansson and Maria Häll.
- The Academic ceremony on 13 November was held in the sign of the anniversary, where Anders Sundström was awarded the Luleå University of Technology's anniversary medal, which was awarded for the first time. Erik Höglund and Karin Axelsson each received a medal of merit from the university.
- On December 8, the anniversary book "50 years of change" was launched in an event at Vetenskapens hus.
- Sofia Jannok and Sara Arnia are appointed Honorary Doctors of Philosophy.
- Anders Sundström is appointed Honorary Doctor of Technology and Philosophy.
In addition to the 50th anniversary:
- With the new initiative SUN – Natural Resources for Sustainable Societal Transformation, the University wants to make it clear that northern Sweden has the potential to globally lead the way for a successful transition of the basic industry. Within SUN, the University will, in close cooperation with Swedish industry, develop the natural resource-based basic industry towards the UN's sustainability goals.
- The University started a collaboration with the Swedish Olympic Committee on technology research for performance development in sports. SOK's research and development manager H-C Holmberg is linked to Luleå University of Technology as an Adjunct professor.
- In February, Luleå University of Technology signed the declaration for strong democracy.
- The multi-million investment Creaternity was presented. With hundreds of researchers in 25 different research subjects and a new graduate school, the new circular economy will be developed with the help of artificial intelligence, telecommunications and sensor technology.
- According to a decision by the Vice-Chancellor, all education programs at Luleå University of Technology must have introduced a mandatory gender equality education during the first year of the education by the autumn of 2021.
- The cooperation between Luleå University of Technology and the Swedish Public Employment Service in commissioned training for foreign-born engineers is expanded. The education offer is supplemented with two new fast tracks in electrical power and energy technology that will meet the industry's need for the right skills.
- Luleå University of Technology is the only Swedish university participating in a new major project on carbon neutral autonomous mining. In the EU-funded NEXGEN SIMS, technology, methods and processes for more sustainable mining operations will be developed.
- At a special residence in Övertorneå, Luleå University of Technology opened Sweden's northernmost test bed for 5G. The purpose of the test environment is to facilitate the use of new technology in the health and care sector.
- In May, the University announced an extensive research and education initiative, CH2ESS, in close collaboration with leading basic industries and energy producers. The focus is on hydrogen in industrial processes and energy systems.
- Trafikverket is investing SEK 150 million over ten years in pioneering railway research at Luleå University of Technology, focusing on the operation and maintenance of infrastructure and railway bridges. This will give Sweden railways with increased reliability and service life, higher capacity and safety – and more punctual trains.
- In July, a new record is set for the number of admissions to Luleå University of Technology's education. 13,835 people have been admitted to the University's programs and courses that start in the autumn semester of 2021. This is an increase of just over ten percent compared to the previous year.
- In September, The King and Queen visited Luleå University of Technology. They met students, teachers, researchers and the Vice-Chancellor to hear how the pandemic has affected studies and teaching.
- The self-driving forestry machine designed and built at Luleå University of Technology can now also handle autonomous forestry, i.e. collection and transportation of roundwood. It is the first time in world history that forestry is done completely without human intervention. The researchers behind the successful trial see it as an important step towards more sustainable forestry.
- In tough competition, the Swedish Energy Agency chose to invest in a new competence centre, the Swedish Centre for Sustainable Hydropower, with Luleå University of Technology as the main applicant.
2020
- The year is characterised by the corona pandemic. On March 18, Luleå University of Technology and other Swedish universities switch to distance learning and exams. During the pandemic, the University donates protective equipment from laboratories, researchers 3D print holders for visors used in healthcare and several research projects related to the corona pandemic are initiated. These include a study on ventilator care during COVID-19, based on the COVID-19 ward created at Piteå Hospital in connection with the pandemic outbreak. Other research areas examines how particles are spread when a person coughs with and without a face mask, and whether sampling wastewater could be a possible method to predict future outbreaks. In another project, researchers in history and nursing – together with a large number of stakeholders – will gather knowledge and experience from the ongoing pandemic in Norrbotten.
- The Kamprad Family Foundation takes the initiative for NorrlandsNavet, a knowledge center at Luleå University of Technology based on the companies' need for knowledge to strengthen and develop northern companies. The foundation invests a total of SEK 100 million over eight years.
- Charlotte Kalla and Jessica Meir are appointed as Honorary doctors of technology.
- Dean A Shepherd is appointed as an Honorary doctor of philosophy.
- Luleå University of Technology has been granted ten million by the Swedish Energy Agency to, in collaboration with the packaging company BillerudKorsnäs, develop a technology that captures carbon dioxide from industry for future storage in Swedish bedrock.
- Eva Hamilton, former CEO of SVT, becomes the new Chairman of the Board of Luleå University of Technology.
- 60 million goes to a new wood technology initiative. A unique computer tomograph, specialising in in-depth wood X-ray will be delivered to the laboratory for wood technology. The equipment is an important component of CT Wood, a newly launched strategic research program in wood technology focused on applied research in close collaboration with the wood industry.
- Luleå University of Technology starts a new master's degree program in applied artificial intelligence (AI). It is the first master's degree program in the world in applied AI with a specialisation in AI and neuroscience. The program starts in the autumn of 2021.
- The virtual mine developed by researchers at Luleå University of Technology has been awarded a special innovation prize at the Swedish Mining Innovation Award 2020.
- Two new cross-border research areas at Luleå University of Technology – CREATERNITY and SUN – will contribute to the transition required for a sustainable industry and societal transformation.
- Luleå University of Technology signs strategic cooperation agreements with Boliden, Northvolt, Skellefteå municipality, and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, as well as Kiruna municipality.
- The Students' house is inaugurated in March.
- September 10 was the digital inauguration of the new university library in Luleå, with speeches by, among others, Vice-Chancellor Birgitta Bergvall-Kåreborn. After the renovation, the university library is considered one of the most modern research libraries in Sweden.
- Luleå University of Technology and four other Swedish universities are appointed as new European universities within the framework of an initiative from the European Commission.
- A record number of students, almost 12,500, are admitted to Luleå University of Technology in the fall semester 2020 (selection 1). This is an increase of 23 percent compared to the previous year.
- The Hybrit technology can make Sweden the first in the world to deliver fossil-free steel. Luleå University of Technology participates in research on the hydrogen-based steel production within Hybrit.
- The self-driving forest machine designed and built at Luleå University of Technology is now completed and ready to be tested in the field.
- Meleknur Alevcan, who helped hundreds of elderly people with free therapy during the corona pandemic, and Helena Hed, President and CEO of listed PE Teknik & Arkitektur, are appointed Alumni of the Year.
- The Active School Transport project was awarded SEK 15.8 million. With 17 partners and funds from, among others, Vinnova, researchers Stina Rutberg and Anna-Karin Lindqvist will develop the concept, with the vision that 80 percent of children in primary school will use active school transport.
- Luleå University of Technology's researcher Nils Jansson is one of the people behind the discovery of a completely new mineral, which has now been named zinkgruvanit.
- The elite sports initiative at Luleå University of Technology is growing. In March, the former captain of the Swedish national cross-country skiing team Joakim Abrahamsson is presented as the new manager and coach for elite sports at Luleå University of Technology, with a special focus on cross-country skiing, biathlon and ski orienteering. In the autumn, over 20 students spread over eight different sports are participating in the initiative.
- The DISIRE project, coordinated by Luleå University of Technology, is included in the Solar Impulse Foundation's list of the 1,000 best technologies that can change the world.
- Expanded capacity and even better performance will be the result when Luleå University of Technology expands its 5G test bed with an indoor system. The 5G system is developed by Telia and Ericsson and the facility opens up new opportunities for both researchers and companies.

Updated: