Global Impact Forum and Sunrise Summit
Researchers, companies, students and decision-makers gather at MDU to explore solutions that drive systemic change. Join us!
Connect for Global Impact
Welcome to an event designed to connect ideas, people and action for global impact. Mälardalen University invites you to a vibrant meeting place where global challenges are explored through dialogue, collaboration and innovative co-creation across disciplines, sectors and perspectives.
By bringing together two international initiatives, the European University Alliance SUNRISE and the Mälardalen University Global Impact Forum, we aim to create a shared space for learning, exchange and tangible impact, with sustainability at its core.
Participants will include researchers, students and representatives from academia, industry, the public sector and civil society, coming together from across Europe, India and Sweden.
Focus areas
The programme will explore five key themes:
- Quadruple Helix collaboration – dynamic, intertwined partnerships between academia, industry, government and civil society
- Sustainable energy and water – from technology to implementation in societal systems
- AI and human–technology relations – ethics, use and trust
- Democracy and societal development – participation, legitimacy and resilience
- Social and organisational innovation – structures that enable lasting change
You can expect inspiring keynote speakers, practical examples of best practice, engaging panel discussions and real-world cases presented by researchers and students from Europe and India.
Programme highlights
19 May
The first day is dedicated to the annual meeting of the SUNRISE Alliance (Smaller Universities Network for Regional Innovative and Sustainable Evolution). The focus will be on European collaboration, student mobility, and shared strategic directions for education, research, and regional development. This day is also open to participants beyond the SUNRISE Alliance.
20–21 May
On the second and third days, the event opens into the MDU Global Impact Forum, a recurring platform for dialogue and co-creation around societal impact. This year, we are pleased to welcome IIT Bombay – Welingkar Institute of Management as a special guest.
The full programme will be released shortly.
Travel and living
How to travel and find your way to campus
Visiting address
Mälardalens universitet, Universitetsplan 1, Västerås.
Public transport
Train: The university is located approximately 20 minutes' walk from Västerås Central Station.
Book trains with SJ External link.
Bus: If you are travelling by bus, the nearest stop is Universitetet. Bus line 2, 6, 21 stops outside campus.
Travel by bus with VL External link.
Flights
Airport: Stockholm Arlanda Airport
Car
There are limited parking facilities at Västerås campus. Free parking is available approximately 20 minutes north of the campus at ABB Arena Syd.
Map
Hotels in Västerås
We have pre-booked a number of rooms at these hotels in Västerås.
It is important to use the booking reference in order to get access to the pre-booked rooms.
Best Western Hotel Esplanade
13 minutes' walk from campus.
Domkyrkoesplanaden 2, Västerås.
Boooking reference: IMPACT2026 (valid until 7 April)
Contact: info@esplanadevasteras.se | +46 (0)21-495 58 00
Hotel Esplanade External link.
Good Morning Västerås
30 minutes' walk from campus.
Slånbärsgatan 1, Västerås
Boooking reference: IMPACT2026 (valid until 5 May)
Contact: vasteras@gmorninghotels.se | +46 (0)21-12 02 20
Good Morning Västerås External link.
Hotell Arkad
14 minutes' walk from campus.
Östermalmsgatan 25, Västerås
Boooking reference: IMPACT2026 (valid until 31 March)
Contact: Reception@hotellarkad.se | +46 (0)21-12 04 80
Hotell Mälarporten
27 minutes' walk from campus.
Ängsgärdsgatan 19, Västerås
Boooking reference: IMPACT2026 (valid until 20 April)
Contact: info@hotelmalarporten.com | +46 (0)21-10 53 00
Hotell Mälarporten External link.
Scandic Västerås
28 minutes' walk from campus.
Pilgatan 33, Västerås
Boooking reference: BIMP190526 (valid until 19 March)
Contact: meeting.vasteras@scandichotels.com | 021-495 58 00
Contact Information