SWEDEN: University Chancellor resigns

Sweden's University Chancellor Anders Flodström (pictured) has resigned following his disagreement with the government over a new system of evaluating and rewarding Swedish universities based on student performance. The Swedish parliament has now approved the government's proposals.

Flodström's resignation takes effect from 1 July, one year before his term was due to expire. The reason given for his early departure was conflict with the ministry. He had criticised the ministry's proposal to evaluate universities according to student performance and to use this performance as a reward mechanism for budgetary allocations.

A conflict of confidence with the ministry's senior leadership over the new quality system was the reason for leaving his office now, Flodström said. "These differences cannot be bridged."

He was also critical of the tight ministry control over the universities in developing the new system. The ministry instructed the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education, of which he is head, on the model of evaluation to be implemented.

Minister of Science Tobias Krantz told the newspaper Svenska Dagbladet: "It is no secret that the government and Anders Flodström have different opinions about the quality evaluation system."

Krantz said there had been internal staff disagreement with Flodström and the way he managed the agency.

The Swedish Union of Teachers expressed regret at Flodström's resignation. Union Chair Anna Götlind said: "Unfortunately the split between the higher education sector and the ministry is still there. We are really worried about how to implement the new system."

A representative of the Swedish Union of Students, Klas-Hermann Lundgren, told Dagens Nyheter the union found Flodström's departure very problematic. "On the basis of the many changes in Swedish higher education ahead, his departure increases the feeling of insecurity," Lundgren said.

A press release from the ministry said the post of Chancellor for Swedish Universities would be advertised immediately.