The Project Sahlgrenska Life is about linking Sahlgrenska University Hospital with the University of Gothenburg's operations at Medicinareberget. The project includes three new buildings as well as a redevelopment of Odontologen and will accommodate premises for highly specialised care, research, education and business development. The project is run by Region Västra Götaland with the University of Gothenburg as an important partner.
The University Board today supported further work after considering the report Life Science at the University of Gothenburg and in Region Västra Götaland. The study was carried out by Professor Harriet Wallberg, former Vice-chancellor of Karolinska Institutet, and was carried out on behalf of Vice-chancellor Eva Wiberg. The report, which was presented on 5 September, states that the University of Gothenburg, together with Region Västra Götaland, the University Hospital and the business community, have good opportunities to develop life science activities.
"Sahlgrenska Life is a very important strategic investment for the university and today's Board decision is crucial in order for us, together with Region Västra Götaland and other partners, to be at the forefront of life science," explains Peter Larsson.
However, the University Board points out the importance of taking the financial consequences into account also.
"This is something I think is especially important going forward" Eva Wiberg stresses. It is important that the costs are closely monitored and that the project becomes cost effective, whilst also ensuring that premises meet future needs in education and research.
The importance of internal support and sustainability
Changing circumstances in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic should also be taken into account according to the Board, which also believes that the Vice-chancellor should prioritize the development of further work in the light of Harriet Wallberg's report. The importance of sustainability and internal support was also stressed by the Board.
"Although Sahlgrenska Life is based on a board decision from 2016, an important step was taken today, which sets the direction for the work," says Eva Wiberg. My mission now is to make financially cost effective investments and ensure internal support and involvement among both employees and students. I will now meet with the Deans concerned to move the project forward.
The university's focus on life science also includes the already ongoing construction of Natrium on Medicinareberget, which is expected to be completed in 2023.
Facts: The University Board agrees with the following four points:
- that Sahlgrenska Life will be implemented. This includes both the development of a strategy for life science at the University of Gothenburg and the continued development of the strategic construction project,
- to enlist the Vice-chancellor to continue to run the work on the basis of Harriet Wallberg's report Life science at the University of Gothenburg and Region Västra Götaland (dnr. PA 2020/126),
- that the Vice-chancellor should take a special sustainability perspective, internal support and financial consequences into account in the further preparations,
- that the Vice-chancellor conducts an initial report for the University Board during the spring term of 2021.