Background

Eastern Norrbotten research station is an inter-municipal collaboration project involving the private sector and the public sector in the four Swedish municipalities of Haparanda, Kalix, Överkalix and Övertorneå, as well as Luleå University of Technology and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Umeå. The long-term goal of the project is to contribute to dynamic regional development.

Eastern Norrbotten Research Station is unique in that

• the initiative has come from the municipal alliance, i.e. the four collaborating municipalities

• the proposed research fields have been identified by the municipalities themselves

• collaboration has been intensified between the business community in the municipalities, the public sector and Luleå
  University of Technology

• the project entails interdisciplinary research in the municipalities in fields important to their economic, social and cultural development

The School of Research works for increased collaboration between the universities and their environment, i.e. the private and public sectors in our four municipalities in Eastern Norrbotten. The contributions of the postgraduate students at the School of Research through their research in the priority fields jointly defined by the municipalities will

• strengthen the competitive advantages of the region

• improve access to research results

• add new forms of knowledge transfer

• define new needs and development areas

• help establish and develop new research environments

Feedback to the private and public sectors takes place through the active participation in the School of Research of representatives from enterprise, industry, trade organisations and the municipalities.

The School of Research has a particular aim to create international contacts which can promote continued positive development. 

The vision is for Eastern Norrbotten to be made an even more attractive region to live in. What is required are skills and know-how, viable companies, qualified education and dynamic sustainable development based on the will of the population to form its life conditions.

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