Utbilda och forska är vi bra på - men att samverka?
En kritisk studie av Högskolan i Gävle och den tredje uppgiften
The cooperation between university and industry life in the region of Gävle is always a topic of importance. University and High schools have various roles to fulfill: except administrating the training and supporting research they should also - as a third role - contribute to cooperation between organizations, business companies and other associations. In addition to that, they should support individuals by local as well as regional development. The purpose of our paper is to make a critical review of the cooperation between the University of Gävle (HiG) and industry life until today and the consequences in order to encourage students to stay in the Gävle region during and after their period of studies.Initial we started with a preliminary inquiry with a questionnaire as a base for students in three programs at the Department of Economy; the program for Bachelor of Science, the program for estate agent and another economy program with direction estate economy. From this preliminary inquiry we got the picture of the way the students looked at the problem. By using the survey as a starting position we established questionnaires for making deeper interviews. These interviews were carried through by internal and external representatives, such as four teachers who took part from two institutions at HiG, ?Drivhuset? and ?Kontakttorget?, the Industry department of Gävle, the Federation of Swedish Industries and the local authority of Gävle.What has been proved in our work from the student?s point of view is the demand for a better cooperation between HiG and industry life in the region. New forms should be developed to give more job opportunities for students during and after their period of studies. There is also a demand for more trainee opportunities in order to get a clear connection between studies and future career life. Part of the population even gives the impression that HiG sometimes has a bureaucratic attitude towards the choice of subjects.The main aspects given by the internal and external organizations and the teachers can be summarized as follows;they all mention questions about building new natural bridges and contact-areas between HiG and the surrounding civil society. It should also become more natural for companies and other entrepreneurs to take part in training, networks etc at HiG. In addition to this students as well as teachers should visit the companies and contribute to a deeper understanding of the way the companies work.To conclude, the question of match-making has been discussed which means a better matching between the choices offered by the university and the industry and the surrounding civil society when it comes to the future need for manpower, without making HiG as an authority of vocational education.