Organization

Linköping University (LiU) has a unique organization, one which lacks counterparts elsewhere in Sweden and differs from the traditional academic organization which has served as a model for most European universities. Instead of being divided into separate faculties of humanities, social sciences, philosophy etc, Linköping University encompasses four faculties: Institute of Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the latter spanning over such diverse disciplines as social anthropology, history of literature, political science, and political economy.

Departments

From the very start in the 1960s an organizational structure was established with departments combining the knowledge bases of several adjacent academic disciplines and often belonging under more than one faculty. The department of Biomedical Engineering is an early example. This structure has fostered a development towards interdisciplinary graduate schools, involving several disciplines and departments.

Management

The vice-chancellor is the university’s top executive official, appointed by the government. The vice-chancellor’s term of office is six years. The appointment of the vice-chancellor is preceded by an extensive nomination procedure within the university, after which the University Board proposes a candidate.

The University Board is the highest decision-making body within the university, with an overall responsibility for budget and policies. The board consists of 13 members, including representatives of teachers, students and public interests, the latter members constituting the majority. The vice-chancellor is an ex-officio member of the University Board.

Other committees and boards within the university consist of representatives of teachers, students, university employees, and - except at the departmental level - professional interests. A faculty board (see below) has the overall responsibility for each main area.

The vice-chancellor is assisted by a pro.vice-chancellor for academic affairs and an advisory council, which includes the faculty deans, the pro-vice-chancellor, the registrar and one student. To this, three strategic advisory councils for research, education and cooperation are appointed.

Faculties

The four faculties are responsible for education and research within their respective area. Each faculty is run by a faculty board, the chairman of which is the dean,who is elected by the teachers of each faculty. Within each faculty there are special educational and research committees which are made up of representatives of various groups: university employees, teachers, students and professional interests.

The faculty offices give administrative support to the committees, including budget, information, international affairs etc.

Having earlier been part of a centralized national system of higher education, Swedish universities and colleges today enjoy considerable autonomy in the planning and dimensioning of education.

More information about the Swedish system of higher education.

Page responsible: maria.karlberg@liu.se
Last updated: Fri Mar 16 13:43:04 CET 2012