During Dalarna Innovation Days, Dalarna University brought together companies, researchers, and regional stakeholders at Dalarna Science Park for a discussion on how collaboration between academia and industry can generate tangible business and societal benefits. Using real-world examples, the event highlighted opportunities to align the long-term perspective of research with the needs of businesses, including through research collaborations, student projects, and thesis work.
A student project became a fully operational system
In the municipality of Borlänge, the healthcare organization needed a better way to assign and track tasks. The starting point was an Excel file. Through a collaboration with students at Dalarna University, an IT system was developed that is now in use within the organization.
This example illustrates how a specific challenge can give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in practice, while also providing the organization with new perspectives and a practical solution. Theses, project-based courses, and student consultants are some possible avenues for collaboration. Through the “Akademin Nära Innovation Dalarna” project, Dalarna Science Park helps forge connections and match needs with expertise.
An idea that could be tested and developed
Another example was Mold Sports and founder Mikael Östberg’s idea for a pole grip with a lever mechanism designed to extend the push-off in cross-country skiing.
Through Dalarna Science Park’s incubator, he received support to verify the handle’s functionality and was put in touch with Dalarna University’s Sports and Health Laboratory. There, the handle was compared to a standard pole grip through tests on a roller ski treadmill. This collaboration provided the foundation for continued product development, and today the handle is used by several elite skiers.
Relationships That Build the Skills of the Future
The partnerships with Byggdialog Dalarna and Hitachi Energy also demonstrated the value of long-term relationships. When companies contribute to education and engage with students early in their studies, this strengthens both the relevance of the programs and the companies’ ability to find future employees.
To succeed, the parties need to understand each other’s circumstances. The business community’s need for concrete results must align with academia’s efforts to develop new knowledge. Open dialogue, clear expectations, and trust help move the collaboration forward.
The message to companies and organizations was simple: start by getting in touch and sharing a challenge or an idea. You don’t need to know which academic program or researcher is the right fit. That first conversation can open the door to a collaboration that strengthens both your own business and Dalarna’s innovative capacity.
Watch the full broadcast, “How We Build Dalarna’s Innovative Capacity in Practice,” here.
