Linnaeus University’s commitment to integration
Linnaeus University is to be on the forefront in the work to make it easier for newly arrived academics to take part of supplementary efforts that will make it possible for them to enter the labour market more quickly. Through education and research, the university will contribute to a strengthening of the knowledge and skills in the region regarding questions relating to integration.
The multicultural society offers a lot of opportunities for meetings between cultures and individuals, encounters that enrich and bring new perspectives. However, there are a number of different factors that affect an individual's possibility to be included and take part in society. Thus, many different subjects and research specialisations at Linnaeus University can contribute with important insights and knowledge.
Scholarship for asylum seekers
Linnaeus University has established scholarships aimed at asylum-seeking academics, making it possible for them to study at the university while they are awaiting their residence permits. The scholarships are co-funded by the county councils, Regionförbundet i Kalmar län, Region Kronoberg, and Linnaeus University.
Read more about scholarships for asylum seekers.
Recognition of prior learning
Many of the newly-arrived that come to Sweden have post-secondary education. However, their competence is not always made use of in the best way possible. Linnaeus University contributes by validating the knowledge and experience of newly-arrived academics, so that they more quickly can supplement their knowledge in order to get access to the Swedish labour market.
Validation delegation
Recognition of prior learning means the mapping out and assessment of an individual's competence and qualifications, regardless of how, where and when these have been acquired – through the formal education system in Sweden or abroad, just recently or a long time ago.
When carrying out a validation, the knowledge and experience of an individual is compared to the objectives stated for a subject, course or programme.
Linnaeus University's ambition is to be on the forefront in the work on recognition of prior learning. The university has established a full-time position that will work with the establishment of a legally sound and sustainable method for the validation of knowledge and skills in an individual, alternatively what parts the individual is missing, in order for the individual to be able to supplement his/her knowledge.
Contract educations, supplementary education, and MOOC courses
Contract education contributes with skills development of staff working with the target group newly-arrived within authorities, organisations, companies, and, last but not least, schools. For instance, we offer in-service training of staff at sheltered accommodations for unaccompanied refugee children.
Fojo, the institute for further education of journalists, provides in-service training for journalists and is tied to Linnaeus University. In this context, the institute has produced information to journalists on the topic "How to cover refugees", dealing with, for instance, who is a refugee and what international regulations apply.
Supplementary educations
MOOC courses
Linnaeus University has created the web-based, cost-free course Introduction course online for staff working with unaccompanied children and youth.
The course is based on self-studies and is a result of the university's collaboration within different networks.
Courses and programmes at Linnaeus University
There are many courses and programmes at Linnaeus University that involve questions dealing with migration and integration in one way or another.
One is the programme integration in a multicultural society. Another is, for instance, the programme peace and development studies, in which students annually carry out field studies in collaboration with organisations with focus on integration and establishment issues, both regionally and on an international level.
Read more about all programmes and courses offered at Linnaeus University.
Also the international social sciences programme, the sociology programme, the social work study programme, and the design + change programme have student collaborations focusing on these issues.
Another example of in how many different ways Linnaeus University is involved in questions relating to integration is the optometry programme, which offers free eye examinations for newly-arrived.
Research at Linnaeus University
There is broad research within the areas of integration, establishment and migration at Linnaeus University.
Linnaeus University Centres for Concurrences in Colonial and Postcolonial Literature carry out research on cultural and identity encounters.
There is also other research at Linnaeus University that focuses on integration issues, for instance the Center for cultural sociology (CCS) that studies social integration and the multicultural school.
International recruitment of students and employees
Students
The number of international students at Linnaeus University has been doubled several times during the last few years and today the university welcomes students from roughly 40 different countries every year. We have experienced a particularly large interest from many Asian countries where Linnaeus University's entrepreneurial spirit, in combination with a number of unique programmes, is much coveted.
Employees
Linnaeus University wants to be an attractive employer with a strong trademark. We want to have the best working with us. Therefore, it is important for us to announce our available positions internationally and on a wide front, as well as having a professional reception and service for the people who apply and the ones we employ.
Collaborate with us
Linnaeus University has a long-standing collaboration with a number of actors in the Linnaeus region to promote integration and to help create good conditions for a successful reception.
On this portal you will find information on current initiatives and what opportunities there are for collaborating with Linnaeus University's education, research, projects, and investigations.
Here you will find more information on how you as an organisation or company can collaborate with Linnaeus University.
The integration network at Linnaeus University
Welcome to take part in Linnaeus University's integration network where regional actors and the university's researchers and teachers meet to develop joint collaborations with focus on skills development efforts, research and other forms of collaboration relating to integration/intercultural collaboration and establishment in the Linnaeus region.
Examples of concrete activities that the network has resulted in are conferences, tailor-made courses for people working with newly-arriveds, degree projects and follow-up research, as well as information meetings for newly-arriveds who are interested in further education. The network meets roughly four times a year.
Are you interested in taking part in the integration network or wish to get more information? Please contact Elin Lindkvist.
