“I started working at MDU in 2008. Up until now no year has been quite like another. At the beginning I worked with HR issues and then I got the chance to help design a leadership programme in cooperation with teachers and researchers at all the four Schools at MDU. During the final stage of the programme a doctoral studentship in research on the University as an organisation was advertised and I was encouraged to apply. This was a major step forward, but nothing I have regretted.

To be able to move between different areas, between the Schools or between a School and Administration is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience and understand one's own organisation. For me, MDU is a University of opportunity.”

Jinyue Yan is one of the world's highest-ranking researchers in his research domain and is also editor of the prestigious Applied Energy journal. He is a Professor of the Future Energy research specialisation, a specialisation that conducts world-leading research with excellent results and has many international cooperative agreements.

Jinyue Yan has conducted research at both the Royal Institute of Technology and Luleå Technical University and started as a Professor at Mälardalen University (MDU) in 2005.

Dynamic research environment

“The research environment at MDH is very dynamic, which allows for great openness. Much can be gained with what is called research without borders. It creates interesting cooperation, international exchanges and provides a large influx of new ideas and approaches. Now that MDH will become an official University, it will further strengthen the opportunities for international cooperation.”

What is the importance of collaboration between research, industry and the public sector in solving the major issues linked to climate change and change in society?

“One of the reasons why the position at MDH was so interesting was precisely the close cooperation with industry, and that Västerås is really the energy capital of Sweden. The close collaboration gives us the opportunity of testing together with industry whether our research is applicable and works in reality. We don’t just work with theoretical research but try to find solutions to several concrete challenges in the field of energy. This adds a whole new dimension to the cooperation with engineers at leading energy companies, and thereby makes our research better.”