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Datum 2022-04-08
Artikeltyp News

Martin Hellström proposed as MDU's next Vice-Chancellor

Professor Martin Hellström has been proposed as the new Vice-Chancellor for MDU. After a thorough recruitment process, the Board of MDU have today submitted the proposal to the Government.

“I feel happy, excited and proud of the trust that the Board has shown me. I hope to soon get to know the organisation and meet employees, collaborative partners and students at MDU,” he says.

The search for the University's next Vice-Chancellor began in the autumn. After an extensive selection process where candidates were matched against an ambitious requirement profile, the board of MDU has today decided to propose to the Government to appoint Professor Martin Hellström as Vice-Chancellor of the University.

“It has been an inspiring process where we have had the privilege of meeting several strong candidates. Professor Martin Hellström has proven to be an experienced and well-proven academic leader, with more than 30 years of experience in teaching, research, supervision and leadership,” says Pär Eriksson, Chair of the Board.

 

Several leadership roles

Martin Hellström is primarily a Professor of German with a specialisation in general literary studies at the University of Gothenburg. During his academic career, he has held several leadership roles, such as head of department and pro-dean at the University of Gothenburg and Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Borås. He has been Vice-Chancellor at University West since 2017.

“Martin's firm belief that development occurs when you combine knowledge from academia and the surrounding community is in line with MDU's vision of being a progressive and collaborative higher education institution. I am convinced that Martin's commitment to knowledge and education, where he is also an active voice in the public debate, will be incredibly positive for MDU in the future,” says Pär Eriksson, Chair of the Board of Mälardalen University.

During the autumn of 2021, the Board of Mälardalen University took the decision to start the process to recruit a new Vice-Chancellor when current Vice-Chancellor Paul Pettersson announced that he will not be available for a further period as Vice-Chancellor when his appointment expires. The recruitment efforts have been led by the Board, which has appointed a recruitment committee comprising students and employee representatives as well as trade union representatives. Before the Board decided on the Vice-Chancellor's candidate, a panel interview took place with teachers, students and other employees at the University.

 

Vice-Chancellor

It is up to the Government to decide on the date when a new Vice-Chancellor can take office. Paul Pettersson will have his last day of employment as Vice-Chancellor at MDU on 9 April. Lena Gumaelius, today Pro-Vice-Chancellor at MDU, will be acting Vice-Chancellor from 10 April during the time of the recruitment process is ongoing.

“Paul has been on the University management team for ten years, of which six years as Vice-Chancellor. He is leaving a University that has fantastic prerequisites – a renewal of investment in research, a new campus in Eskilstuna and a particular focus on quality issues in education. On behalf of the Board, I would sincerely like to thank Paul for a very well-executed assignment. I am pleased that he will continue to contribute to the University's development in his role as Professor,” says Pär Eriksson, Chair of the Board.


facts Martin Hellström
Age: 59 years
Family: Partner and two children.
From his CV: Martin Hellström was born in 1962 in Essen, Germany. He has a Bachelors Degree from the Ruhr University in Bochum (Ruhr-Universität Bochum). During his Research Studies he specialised in medieval literature from the 13th century and in 1990 he publicly defended his doctoral thesis: Veritas amoris. Martin Hellström moved to Sweden in 1991 and started working as a Senior lecturer at Umeå University. In 2011 he was appointed Professor of German with a specialisation in General literary studies at the University of Gothenburg and in 2012 as Professor of General literary studies specialising in didactics at the University of Borås. Martin has been Vice-Chancellor at University West since 2017.

 

More information and contact details

Pär Eriksson, Chair of the Board, MDU, 070-167 21 45

Martin Hellström, Vice-Chancellor University West and Vice-Chancellor candidate MDU, 073- 901 33 51

Contact Information