"I want to make decision makers think in new ways!"
Hello Diana Saleh, a doctoral student at the department of Engineering Design who has been elected to the IVA Student Council. What is it and what will be your role?
“We are a colorful mix of 13 sharp student and doctoral representatives from universities around Sweden, all with different skills and perspectives. The Student Council exists to bring the student perspective to IVA's activities. We do this by questioning and giving our opinion in IVA's various contexts, such as participating in various councils, panel discussions and seminars, but also through our own projects where we get space for innovation.”
Is there anything in particular you would like to change or influence?
"I would like to raise the profile of research and third-cycle education. The cool thing this year is that for the first time in a long time we have as many as three doctoral students in the student council. A first step would be to involve Sweden's doctoral student sections to raise ideas, thoughts and problems that should be discussed at a national level. IVA acts as a platform and bridge between business and academia and that is where we can create real change. For example, examining whether doctoral programs are relevant and current. Or how we get research competence to stay in Sweden.”
What do you think will be most rewarding during your two years at IVA?
“I look forward to working on current societal issues and challenging the establishment by asking the questions that make decision makers think in new ways. I also look forward to inspiring young people to get involved and apply for STEM by making the subjects more relatable and concrete.”