Awarded for Zealous and Devoted Service of the Realm

At a ceremony in Wibergsgården, 16 employees received the award ‘"För nit och redlighet i rikets tjänst” (Zealous and Devoted Service of the Realm). The award recognises employees who have worked for the Swedish State for at least 30 years. The joy of teaching and amazing colleagues are some of the things that the awardees say characterise their time at Luleå University of Technology.

In 2025, 19 employees at Luleå University of Technology will receive the award, of these, 16 participated in the ceremony in Wibergsgården. Vice-Chancellor Birgitta Bergvall-Kåreborn and University Director Maria Lundgren to present the award. The employee can choose between a gold medal, an art glass or a gold wristwatch.

A few of the laureates were asked what they think about their time at Luleå University of Technology:

Åsa Gardelli, Senior Professor of Education

What different positions have you held during your years at LTU?

“Teacher, research engineer, lecturer, doctoral student, senior lecturer, associate professor and professor. I have also had assignments as business developer, area representative, programme coordinator and member of the appointment board.”

What is the biggest change you have experienced during these years?

“That Special Educational Needs has developed at the university during these years, in terms of both education and research. This has been an important change in my work.”

What has been the best thing about your years at LTU?

“There are so many things I have enjoyed. My main interests are education and research, and meeting interested students and spending time on exciting research projects has been very inspiring. To be able to collaborate with amazing colleagues has been an honour.”

Niklas Lehto, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering

What different positions have you held during your years at LTU?

“I started as a doctoral student in physics, took a break to work at Ericsson, and then came back as a senior lecturer. Since then I have had several roles, including director of studies, education coordinator, head of department for two different departments, head of education at TVM – and today I am head of the Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering.”

What is the biggest change you have experienced during these years?

“The biggest change for me has been on a personal level. I went from male-dominated, scientific environments in physics and materials science to a more female-dominated and quality-oriented context in health sciences. This shift has made me more attentive and humble to different ways of thinking and working in academia.”

What has been the best thing about your years at LTU?

“Teaching has always given me great joy – to meet and follow students' development. I have also appreciated having leading roles where I could contribute to good conditions for education and research. In addition, I have had fantastic colleagues, and often experience flow when I get to immerse myself in something I am interested in.”

Lennart Pettersson, Educational Developer at the The Centre for Educational Development

What different positions have you held during your years at LTU?

“Educational developer and lecturer in graphic design.”

What is the biggest change you have experienced during these years?

“That the interest in our students learning has increased among our staff. The educational work is valued much higher.”

What has been the best thing about your years at LTU?

“When I for four years got to work as a lecturer in graphic design. To meet young, creative people and support them in their development was wonderful.”