New five-star university in STINT Internationalisation Index

STINT, the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education, annually presents an Index showing the degree of internationalisation at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Sweden. This year’s results show a clear positive trend and the maximum score of five stars has now been awarded to a fourth HEI.

The Index considers six dimensions of internationalisation and comprises 28 HEIs. The current results are based on data for 2019, i.e. before the pandemic affected HEIs. STINT’s Executive Director, Andreas Göthenberg, notes: “The trend for 2019 continues to be positive, which is great, because internationalisation and intercultural competence are becoming ever more important in an increasingly polarised world. However, there is a risk that we will see negative effects of the pandemic next year.”

In recent years, Chalmers University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm School of Economics were awarded the maximum of five stars. Now a fourth HEI joins this exclusive club: the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). SLU shows notable changes from previous years, and has shown positive developments in practically all indicators, and not least in the area of research, which has a relatively large impact on the overall results.

“Our research areas are closely connected to the global challenges and Agenda 2030. Knowledge generation and the implementation of measures are both more effective if driven by international cooperation. Climate issues provide a clear example, but access to food and water are also questions in which international cooperation comes naturally. We are very pleased about this acknowledgement that our investments in internationalisation have borne fruit,” says Maria Knutson Wedel, Vice-Chancellor of SLU.

Last year, the University of Skövde was highlighted for having made great progress in STINT’s Internationalisation Index over just a few years. This trend continues in the results for 2019: the University of Skövde has clearly established itself among the four-star HEIs. This year, Blekinge Institute of Technology and Jönköping University also join the four-star group.

The table shows the Index results of all HEIs. Arrows indicate changes compared to the previous year. For the methodology for the index, see the method description. There are also detailed reports on the development of internationalisation at each HEI in the areas of research, students, staff and leadership since 2011. See STINT Internationalisation Index.