Linköping University, Sweden: Nurturing the student culture

Using the Barometer data

Linköping University is one of Sweden’s largest academic institutions. The research-based university came 4th in Sweden for living experience in the 2014 International Student Barometer (ISB) and came 3rd out of 183 universities worldwide for having an ‘eco-friendly attitude’.

Vibrant and buzzing, Linköping University prides itself on its student culture. Lars Holberg, Director of International Affairs advises: “If you have a fantastic student culture, nurture it. Listen to your students (informally every day and by making use of systematic tools such as the ISB) and make sure that there is an open-door policy, all the way up to top management and the vice-chancellor.”

Lars Holberg remarks the key to success is ensuring the students come first and the ISB plays an important role in this by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the university. “The strength of the ISB is that you can identify what you need to work on, and you can get an international perspective.”