Around 150 invited guests had gathered in Nexus Building for the official opening ceremony, which featured speeches by Vice-Chancellor Jan-Ingvar Jönsson and Vice-Rector Per-Olof Brehmer. The purpose of the collaboration centre is to provide a place where students, doctoral students, researchers, organisations and businesses can develop ideas, tackle challenges and forge new collaborations.

Several organisations and initiatives have already moved into the building. These include Agtech Sweden, which promotes technological innovation for sustainable agriculture; WASP, a national programme for excellent basic research, doctoral education and the recruitment of academic talent; LiUST, a LiU centre for sustainability transitions; and the Knowledge Hub for the Digitalization of Agriculture.

Many of the university’s collaboration partners attended the opening and agreed that Nexus Building will be a valuable meeting place.

What people are saying about Nexus Building

• Oscar Spaak, AI Project Manager, Linköping Science Park: We already have a collaboration with the university today to bring knowledge to what I work with; small and medium-sized companies. This space opens up opportunities to meet and gather, to spend time here and bump into each other. Linköping Science Park hosts many events every week. Nexus Building will be another venue.
• Joakim Kärnborg, Linköping Municipality, Executive Office: This is a tremendous opportunity and something we’ve been missing. It’s a neutral place, not one that belongs to any single organisation. Workshops and seminars can be held here, for example to explore societal challenges that need to be researched. I think it can create energy when both the format and the place help set the agenda.

• Anna Jacobson, Business Development Unit, Region Östergötland: This is a flexible place to meet. I’ve actually been here already. For the region, Nexus Building is a shared meeting place for issues of common interest.
• Tomas Svensson, Director General, VTI: Nexus Building is very good. The importance of having a physical place shouldn’t be underestimated. We’re happy to have a presence here. We can showcase degree projects and theses to students so that we can attract more of them.

Text: Elisabet Wahrby, Linköping University

Photo: Peter Holgersson AB and Marie-Louise Elebring