Yesterday, the Southern Military Region (Södra militärregionen, MR S) signed an MOU with Lund University and Ideon Science Park. The purpose is to formalise and focus our collaboration in order to strengthen Sweden’s overall capability within total defence.
“This is something we have needed for a long time and it is long awaited. With the letter of intent we create clearer and shorter paths for conveying our needs to business and academia. It gives us better conditions to develop solutions together,” says Anders Malm, Commander of the Southern Military Region.
The collaboration is not only about technical innovation. The letters of intent also cover training and exercises, knowledge and experience exchange, initiatives to develop the role of civil society within total defence, and national and international collaboration.
Erik Renström, Chancellor, Lund University:
“There is a clear before and after 2022. We have become much more aware of how many people within our organisation have designated wartime roles. We also see a strong commitment to contributing to preparation and resilience. Hence, we want to strengthen that engagement across the organization. Defense-related research is not entirely uncontroversial. But we stand behind it because the threats facing us have become increasingly complex. We would be failing the trust society places in us if we did not carry out this research.”
Johan Bergström, Professor in Risk and Safety at Lund University, Director for Lund University Centre for preparedness and resilience (LUPREP):
“We have a responsibility to strengthen society’s capabilities through our education and research. Our research and educational programs make a meaningful contribution”, he says.
Colonel Anders Malm, Commander Regional Military Command South, Swedish Armed Forces, has completed a PhD: “I understand and value the importance of academic independence. The Swedish Armed Forces has a mandate to strengthen society and safeguard our democracy and independence. Collaboration with academia is central to our work. Many parts of academia can contribute to the Armed Forces, including the humanities.”
This is a broad area that we will now begin to explore together.
Amyna’s role in relation to the Southern Military Region (MRS), will be to
🔹 Promote innovation within total defense.
🔹 Support dual-use innovation.
🔹 Promote entrepreneurship in security and defense.
🔹 Participate in training, projects, seminars and exercises.
🔹 Contribute to knowledge exchange and collaboration.
🔹 Promote national and international cooperation.
