To ensure that Sweden maintains a high level of competitiveness in the ever more globalised market, Swedish technology and industrial production must be at the cutting edge. Our business sector, economy and labour market are dependent on Swedish research and innovation being of the highest international class. Achieving this requires well-educated scientists, technicians and engineers with innovative ideas and good problem-solving skills.
Sweden has an education system that gives individuals excellent opportunities to choose and undertake studies in science and technology at different levels. For many years, the level of interest in such studies has been relatively high in Sweden compared to other countries but it now seems that the tide has turned. The interest in college diploma engineering and graduate engineering programmes has dropped over the last five years, whilst surveys indicate that Swedish 15-year-olds have a limited interest in the subjects. Both national and international evaluations also show that the knowledge of Swedish students in mathematics and science is deteriorating.
Several national initiatives, both from central government and from other actors, have been implemented or are currently ongoing in Sweden in order to increase the interest in and improve the quality of tuition in science and technology subjects. Further initiatives are necessary, which is why the Government appointed the Technology Delegation. The Delegation is a government committee of enquiry set up to promote greater interest in mathematics, science, technology and ICT (Information and Communication Technology). By taking an outward-looking and cooperative approach in the form of working groups, seminars, campaigns and workshops, the Technology Delegation wishes to spark debate and come up with proposals on how the issues may be resolved in both the short and the long term.
The Technology Delegation is expected to continue its work until the 30 April 2010, at which point it will submit its final report to the Minister for Higher Education and Research.