On Wednesday 8 October, The Swedish Armed Forces and Karolinska Institutet signed a declaration of intent to strengthen and broaden their collaboration in research and education in the field of defence-related medicine. The two organisations have a long history of collaboration in commissioned medical research, and in light of a changing global security situation and the expanding concept of total defence, they are now taking the next step.
"The ongoing conflicts in our region highlight the urgent need for new knowledge, and we see Karolinska Institutet as a key partner in working with the Swedish Armed Forces to accelerate innovation and to develop essential capabilities," says Major General Johan Pekkari, Chief of Directorate of Strategic Plans and Policy at the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters.
An important goal of the collaboration is to enhance the joint capacity in defence-related medicine and to ensure strategic competence, development and talent supply in this field.
The aim is to establish a research environment as a platform for defence-related medicine at Karolinska Institutet, capable of conducting high-quality research and education, in collaboration with or, when necessary, commissioned by the Swedish Armed Forces.
"As a medical university, KI has a responsibility within the framework of total defence. Therefore, we are keen to develop our collaboration with the Swedish Armed Forces. This declaration of intent is a step forward. The next step will be to identify new focus areas, as well as further develop existing ones, in defence-related medical research and education," says Martin Bergö , Vice President of Karolinska Institutet.
