On monday, more than 300 politicians, researchers and other actors in higher education and research are gathering in Göteborg for a conference entitled ‘The Knowledge Triangle Shaping the Future of Europe’. We put three questions to Minister for Higher Education and Research Tobias Krantz.

Photo: Mikael Lundgren/Regeringskansliet

Tobias Krantz, Minister for Higher Education and Research

The conference is all about the knowledge triangle – what exactly is it?
"The knowledge triangle is one way of describing how education, research and innovation have to interact in order to achieve the best possible results."

Can you give a few examples of the issues under discussion?
"One issue is modernising universities. In the globalised world we now live in, there is enormous competition for the best students, teachers and researchers. Universities in Sweden and Europe must modernise if they are to be at the forefront. The knowledge triangle also requires us to hone our innovation systems so that we get more out of our investments in research in the form of new products that generate growth."

The conference is entitled ‘The Knowledge Triangle Shaping the Future of Europe. Isn’t that going a bit far – are you really shaping Europe’s future?
"Yes, I honestly believe that we are. Issues to do with knowledge are extremely important, particularly now, when the economic situation is tough. Investing in new knowledge – education and research – is vital in order to bring Europe out of the crisis and better equip us for the future."