Planning for Lund University’s 350th anniversary in 2016.

Meet Director of Corporate Caroline Runéus, operational coordinator for Lund University’s 350th anniversary in December 2016.

There’s going to be a ‘false start’ on 16 December though, isn’t there?

“Yes, we’re having a ‘five years to go’ celebration to kick off, with exciting lectures during the day and a reception in the evening.”

How far have you come with the preparations?
“We have done some simple benchmarking with other universities that have marked important anniversaries, for example Oslo, Karolinska institutet and Humboldt in Berlin. We have also had three brainstorming meetings with many creative people from both within and outside the University.”

What have you learnt and what has been the outcome of the meetings?
“We have learnt that good forward planning and getting people involved early are important. We have written a proposal for a number of sub-projects. We will be celebrating the anniversary from December 2016 to January 2018 and a lot will happen during these 14 months. The reason for this is that the University was founded in December 1666 and inaugurated in January 1668.”

Can you give us some examples of suggested activities?
“It’s a bit early to go into details, but there will be lectures, of course, exhibitions, debates, inaugurations, festivities and other events. However, expect new and surprising things too. It is important that the anniversary appeals to all groups at the University, and our partners and the people of Lund should also feel involved in the celebrations.”

The last anniversary was celebrated in 1968 – with a certain amount of turmoil coloured by the times. What will characterise this anniversary?
“We will look back in history, but first and foremost we will look to the future. The world is changing so incredibly quickly and the University will as well. A lot of focus will be on how we face the future.”

How would you describe the 350-year-old?
“As a motor for development, a source of knowledge and a mosaic of curious, passionate people that is good for society.”

Why should we celebrate the anniversary?
“Because it is really worth celebrating that Lund University has survived, continually developed and maintained its strong role through all these years. But we cannot rest on our heels. We will also use the anniversary to meet and discuss important issues for the future. Also, celebrations are fun – just look at rhe Faculty of Engineering’s (LTH’s) fiftieth birthday party, which attracted an unexpectedly high number of homecoming alumni.”

FOOTNOTE. The steering group for LU350 is made up of Göran Bexell, chair, Master of Ceremonies Carin Brenner, Professor Bengt Olle Bengtsson and Petra Francke, graphic designer. The sub-projects will be headed by Assistant Vice-Chancellor Eva Wiberg, Dean Håkan Lundström, Professor Mats Benner and fundraiser Ulrika Nilsson. persons at the faculties are in the process of being appointed.

– Maria Lindh