Agreement to strengthen learning and development in Jönköping County
Research and development cooperation in Jönköping County will now be developed. A collaboration arena will be established between Kommunal Utveckling (Municipal Development) Jönköping County, the School of Education and Communication (HLK) at Jönköping University (JU), school principals and other stakeholders. The agreement was signed on Wednesday 9 October.
Thomas Winman (left) and Ola Götesson sign the agreement for the collaboration arena .
The collaborative arena, called Kompetensakademin Jönköping (KAJ), aims to combine the theoretical and research-based strengths of academia with the practical expertise and experience of the public sector. Through this collaboration, KAJ will contribute to improved public services, increased innovation and better welfare for citizens.
“The goal is to combine our strengths. With KAJ, I believe that we can work together in a clearer way to address the challenges of the future and create a better future for all, “ says Thomas Winman, Managing Director and Dean at HLK.
KAJ is expected to operate at two main levels: strategic and decision-making level and an operational and implementation level.
Examples of activities within the arena include:
Networking events and conferences: Regular networking events and conferences to promote knowledge exchange and discussion of current challenges and opportunities. Events may include lectures, workshops, seminars and opportunities to collaborate on research projects.
Research projects and development work: The arena can initiate and implement research projects and development work by bringing together the resources and competences of both JU and the municipalities.
Training and skills development: The arena will offer training and skills development for different groups of staff. This may include courses, workshops, seminars and coaching programmes based on current research and best practice. Examples include the Head Teachers and First Teachers’ Academy as well as the annual research conference, which highlights the development work in the 13 municipalities in the region.
Research - application
KAJ will be a platform for sharing knowledge and expertise, where research can generate new ideas, technologies and social innovations that can be applied in the public sector to improve services and processes. The public sector can also identify challenges and needs that academia can address through its research.
“Kommunal Utveckling has had successful partnerships with HLK in the past, but now it will be more organised, long-term and with clear goals. I really believe that KAJ will ultimately benefit society,” says Ola Götesson, head of Kommunal Utveckling.
