WE FOCUS ON THE PROFESSION

The profession is of primary importance.

This is the foundation upon which we

educate our students. Being close to

working life, taking part in on-going work

and collaborating with business, industry

and the public sector is essential to our

academy. To us, work is a big thing.

WORk IS a bIgTHINg

ClOSE TO REalITy

Some things can only be learned through direct observation. Being close to what

actually goes on increases understanding. Observing, and then following suit,

facilitates in-depth, relevant knowledge. This is why we focus on applied research

with clear links to relevant issues in professional life. Our students are educated

in close contact with specific professional fields, so that it is easier for them to

adapt to working conditions in their chosen profession after graduating. Striving to

create tomorrow’s employees, employers and innovators is essential, and we work

continuously to close the gap between theory and work in practice. We are convinced

that both academy and industry gain through consistent and synergistic cooperation.

We bring the academy out into the professions, and the professions into the academy.

Library and information sciences

The development of information services is the focus

of this field of study, which centres on how individuals

and organisations cooperate and exchange information.

Studies and research for the purposes of facilitating and

optimising the information community are conducted with

the support of information and communication technology.

bUsiness and informatics

This field of study include economics, administration,

management, logistics and information. Research

focus ing on the development of information technology

as support for e-trade and logistical information

systems is conducted.

edUcation and behavioUraL sciences

Development, the future and society are the overriding

concepts in all of the courses and research areas. The

search for information leading to the accumulation of

knowledge essential to schools, colleges and working life

are given special focus. Digital tools used for educational

purposes are dealt with, as well as the new conditions that

information and communication technology have created.

textiLes and design

Creativity and technology are combined and applied to

education in textiles and design. Methods and theory,

as well as materials and technological development are

treated. Subjects dealing with construction, design and

the use of high-technology textiles, whose appearance and

function interact with external stimuli, are also included.

SCIENCE FOR THE PROFESSIONSSix areas of education and research

engineering

This field of study includes many engineering specialties

such as civil, chemical, electrical, energy, mechanical

and industrial. Environmental sustainability is prioritised

through intense research focused on the development of

new bio-based materials, as well as converting biomass to

bio-ethanol and renewable materials.

heaLth sciences

This profile includes education and research driven

development work with the goal of increasing the quality

of life and care provided to patients and their relatives.

This is done through the development of new methods and

approaches in health care and nursing with a focus on care

for the elderly and out-patient emergency care.

THE PEdlar SHOWEd THE WaY

THE PEdlar SHOWEd THE WaY

THE PEdlar SHOWEd THE WaY

THE PEdlar SHOWEd THE WaY

THE PEdlar SHOWEd THE WaY

The Pedlar is the symbol of the University College

of Borås. This male figure in the centre of the

coat of arms is a tribute to the merchants,

whose trading activities laid the foundation for

the economic development in the region.

THE PEdlar SHOWEd THE WaY

The Pedlar is the symbol of the University College

of Borås. This male figure in the centre of the

coat of arms is a tribute to the merchants,

whose trading activities laid the foundation for

the economic development in the region.

THE PEdlar SHOWEd THE WaY

T he products sold by the pedlars ranged from textile items and wooden articles

to tin products and iron tools. In order to sell their handcrafted goods they

often travelled great distances. In fact, the length of the most important trading

route was about 400 kilometres. This, of course, put high demands on under­

standing long­distance transport strategies. The pedlars were one of the early,

knowledgeable precursors of the discipline now known as logistics.

Even today, long after the abandonment of the guild system, the pedlar spirit

lives on. The commerce and textile industries form the historical foundation

of the economy in the region around Borås known as Sjuhärad. Creativity and

entrepreneurial culture are as vivid and alive today as they were 400 years ago.

The Sjuhärad region is experiencing strong growth in economy, employment and

population, and businesses are flourishing. As a result of the constant trading

activity, Sjuhärad is regarded by some as the Scandinavian financial centre of

textiles, logistics and e­business. Based upon this tradition, the University College

of Borås has developed a conceptual idea – Science for the Professions.

THE PEdlar SHOWEd THE WaY

T he products sold by the pedlars ranged from textile items and wooden articles

to tin products and iron tools. In order to sell their handcrafted goods they

often travelled great distances. In fact, the length of the most important trading

route was about 400 kilometres. This, of course, put high demands on under­

standing long­distance transport strategies. The pedlars were one of the early,

knowledgeable precursors of the discipline now known as logistics.

Even today, long after the abandonment of the guild system, the pedlar spirit

lives on. The commerce and textile industries form the historical foundation

of the economy in the region around Borås known as Sjuhärad. Creativity and

entrepreneurial culture are as vivid and alive today as they were 400 years ago.

The Sjuhärad region is experiencing strong growth in economy, employment and

population, and businesses are flourishing. As a result of the constant trading

activity, Sjuhärad is regarded by some as the Scandinavian financial centre of

textiles, logistics and e­business. Based upon this tradition, the University College

of Borås has developed a conceptual idea – Science for the Professions.

THE PEdlar SHOWEd THE WaY

THE PEdlar SHOWEd THE WaY

We work continuously to ensure that research focuses on the solution of current

problems in the working world. We want to create change and improvement, and are

at the leading edge in many areas of research. We strive to extend the limits of what

is possible. Take for example, the making of ethanol out of jeans.

ETHaNOl MaDE OUT OF blUE JEaNS

The University College of Borås is a partner in a research project called

Waste Refinery, in which research is conducted into transforming refuse

and residual waste products into energy and materials. Recently, a

research team at the university college made a unique and revolutionary

discovery: a special mushroom, which can transform jeans fabric

into ethanol. The discovery has great potential regarding sustainable

development and can make important contributions to reducing

harmful environmental impact.

The Swedish School of Textiles’ fashion design department maintains top

quality and is among the world’s best. Demands upon students are high,

and as part of studies, students have the opportunity to collaborate with

internationally renowned teachers from London, New York and Tokyo.

A research project entitled Smart Textiles has gathered researchers in

the fields of textiles, fashion design, fibre technology and interaction

design. The research conducted embraces high-technology textiles

whose appearance and functioning interact with external stimuli.

Our students are already developing nano-fibre cloth that stimulates

the healing of wounds, gloves with built-in telephones, curtains that

begin to emit light when the sun sets and infant clothing that measures

breathing frequency.

The preservation of digital objects is a global challenge. In an effort to

make progress in this field, the University College of Borås is cooperating

with 18 other universities in Europe and the USA. The project is EU

financed and focus on the long-term archiving of CDs, video tapes and

digital books. The project studies the computer’s storage capacity and

conducts research into ways for librarians to access information in the

future. The purpose of the project is to preserve our scientific, technical

and cultural heritage.

Our pedagogical research includes studies on social, political and

economical conditions necessary for democracy and involvement in

the learning processes in pre-schools, schools and society as a whole.

It is conducted in close proximity to actual, on-going practices and

concentrates on the contents of what is taught, as well as how actual

learning, communication and the accumulation of knowledge occurs in

different groups.

WE aRE NOT a TRaDITIONal UNIvERSITy

The University College of Borås is not a typical centre of learning. The fact is, we aim

to be Sweden’s first university of professions. For such a university, it is of course

natural to establish a method of approaching scientific challenges in a manner that

cuts across the boundaries of traditional scientific and academic fields. We do just

this, as the issues involved are multifaceted and seldom related to only one traditional,

academic subject or field of research. Through new combinations and unexpected

shifts in perspective, unforeseen insights reveal themselves. Cooperation is the key.

Broader research themes with links to several of the college’s professional

fields are developed based upon existing and established research environments.

Cooperation with Swedish and international educational institutions, research

institutes, the business sector, cultural organisations and publicly financed activities

are also a part of our programmes. Researchers from other universities, as well as

actors from other professions contribute to discoveries made.

Our research must always demonstrate its legitimacy in two ways. Firstly,

to the national and international scientific community, and secondly to the respective

professional field. Research is conducted on the basis of scientific integrity as well as

a continuous dialogue with representatives from relevant professional fields.

We conduct science for the professions.

Library & Learning resoUrces

Our library is far from usual. The Library & Learning

Resources offer not only a first-class scientific library,

but also student counselling, health services, support for

disabled students and pedagogical support. Our never-

ending goal is to contribute to students and researchers

becoming successful in their studies. The 6 000 m2

library building has over 800 individual places to study

and 31 study rooms on six floors. Altogether, there are

155 000 books, 35 000 e-books and 8 000 e-magazines.

The Swedish School of Textiles is a part of the University College in Borås and is

one of Europe’s leading institutes in the field of textiles. We have very advanced

machinery at our disposal, as well as sewing rooms, facilities for textile printing

and a machinery hall for weaving and the manufacture of knitwear.

S C I E N C E F O R T H E P R O F E S S I O N S

University college of borås · allégatan 1, se-501 90 borås · Phone: +46 33-435 40 00 · fax: +46 33-435 40 03 · Website: www.hb.se

first edition © högskolan i boråsProduction: mecka advertising agency, www.mecka.se. Photography: andreas norén: p. 21, 25. Jerker andersson: p. 14 – top two images, p. 15–16.

Klas svensson: p. 14 – bottom left image. Lars hallnäs: p. 14 – bottom right image. Linda Worbin: p. 14 – textile by Linda Worbin.Patrik Johäll, superstudio: p. 8, 18 – collection by heidi-Kristin andersson, www.udavinn.se, p. 24, 28–32. Åsmund sollihögda: p. 22 – collection by marlene schön.