Newsmail #80, 2024-01-19

Dear all,

By now I think we have all said our “god fortsättning” and “happy new years”. I have myself had a quite slow start of the new semester, but now when everyone is back, the calendar fills up rather nicely. The previous week we had several conferences; Mechatronics group and the SKD-group spent two days at separate venues to kick-off the new year, I understood that both conferences were well attended and successful. Last week we also had the ITM management conference where all managers met for two days. This year we discussed three topics; the financial situation, development of our educational programs, and JML (gender, diversity and equal treatment). Regarding the financial situation, there will some changes at KTH, the relocation of the Södertälje and Kista Campuses, new models for distribution of funds, changes in the governance structure. But I honestly believe that MMK is well prepared and in a situation where we can meet these changes and become stronger afterwards. We have the financial situation in control, we have strong recruitment for our programs, we have a big increase in external funds – and we have the freedom to make our own decisions. Therefore I believe 2024 will be a year when we discuss more proactively how we want to see our courses, programs, research topics etc develop to meet the challenges of the future – rather than reactively act to changes in our surroundings. One of my favorite expressions is “we don’t stand behind KTH, we are a step ahead of KTH”.

This week we had a kick-off with the MMK mgmt. group, to discuss our priorities and challenges of 2024. Regardless of areas of responsibility, being unit manager, leading our educational activities, research education, program director, infrastructure etc – I think it’s important that our leaders consider what should be prioritized during 2024 and how to communicate that to the rest of us.

For most, the teaching activities of the semester started this week as well and I see a lot of colleagues rushing between lecture rooms, meeting rooms, seminar rooms. Yesterday the building was quite full when the mechatronics group celebrated the birthday of Martin Törngren, a lot of singing, speeches, toasting and talk about “back in the day”. I was glad that only one person (that I know about) mistook the Martins and thought that it was my birthday. I mentioned in my speech that – being a Martin – has proved very successful, sometimes being mistaken for the other Martin has for 30 years only given positive effects for me and improved my career.

With that said I now wish you all a nice weekend,

Martin