Luleå University of Technology offers lifelong learning for all

Do you want to strengthen your skills in finance, project management, digitization, marketing, or why not learn more about snow? Then take part in Luleå University of Technology's new open, web-based distance courses - so-called MOOCs that are accessible to everyone.

The term MOOC is an abbreviation of Massive Open Online Course . It is used worldwide and refers to internet-based courses that are free of charge and available to anyone who wants to attend them.

During the year, Luleå University of Technology will give 20 different MOOCs. As of June 14, three are available. A project management course has already been launched with 600 participants from around the world on June 14, two more will be available.

• "Massive" (or "large-scale"): The course has an unlimited number of places.
• "Open": Anyone can take the course and there is no application process.
• "Online": The course is offered via the internet.
• "Course": What is offered is a course, with varying scope

- The desire to learn and strengthen one's skill is great. Our very first MOOC in project management already has over 600 registered participants during the first three weeks. The participants come from almost 100 countries around the world, says Pernilla Tingvall, Project Manager at LTU Professional Education.

There are today almost 180 million registered users on various MOOC platforms in the world and the number is growing daily. The term MOOC is an abbreviation of Massive, Open, Online, Courses and is a relatively new, but strongly growing form of education. It is used worldwide and refers to internet-based courses that are free of charge and available to anyone who wants to attend them.

With our MOOCs, Luleå University of Technology wants to contribute to and enable lifelong learning. The courses with titles such as: Demystifying Business Models, Workplace Wellbeing, Artificial Intelligence, Selling the Past, Placemaking and Public Space Design, What about snow?, Customer Satisfaction in Tourism Companies, Application of Robotics Tools for Tourism Industry, The Arctic is changing and Cultural Heritage, are open to all and can take part in at any time - at the desk, at home on the sofa or even out in the hammock! All you need is a computer, tablet or mobile phone.

Even if education takes place at home in front of a computer, there are great opportunities to interact with other people. Through discussion forums, knowledge and experiences can be exchanged and knowledge can be obtained through completely digital pre-recorded lectures, articles and quizzes. An MOOC covers about 10-15 hours of study time and most are given in English. Luleå University of Technology's MOOCs will be published starting in June and then continuously in 2021 on one of Europe's leading platforms for short courses, FutureLearn. During the year, close to 20 MOOCs will be made available.

- We are extremely proud to be able to offer cutting-edge expertise through shorter, digital courses. Offering MOOC courses is part of Luleå University of Technology's goal to be the leading university in lifelong learning, says Birgitta Bergvall-Kåreborn, Vice-Chancellor of Luleå University of Technology.

The online courses are part of the government's effort to alleviate the coronavirus's consequences for the labour market, where extra support to universities and colleges aims to strengthen those who have been dismissed and laid off, primarily in the hospitality industry.

- People in the hospitality industry who have been laid off or dismissed from their jobs are an important group for us. With the investment, we want to strengthen both the industry and the individuals active in it, says Birgitta Bergvall-Kåreborn.