Christian Sköld is new Deputy Dean for Education: “Every reason to face the future with optimism”

“The Faculty of Pharmacy is an educational environment to be proud of, and we are set to achieve even more,” says Christian Sköld, who in July was appointed Deputy Dean for first- and second-cycle education.

“I can confidently state that I am stepping into a thriving educational organisation. My predecessor, Anja Sandström, has done a fantastic job. Our Faculty prioritises high-quality education. We have a well-functioning educational organisation – and following a series of successful initiatives, our initial focus will be on fine-tuning and consolidating this organisation,” says Christian Sköld, who until June served as Deputy Head of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry.

On the agenda is the relaunch of Uppsala University’s Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy programme. By broadening the eligibility requirements, the Faculty now welcomes students from, among others, upper secondary school social science programmes. The number of first-choice applicants has increased by 573 per cent, representing an immediate success as the programme has risen from 75th place to the top ten among the university’s most popular programmes.

“This increase in applications provides valuable energy after a period of declining numbers. The programme management has done an outstanding job, and the teaching staff’s development of the course content means we are well equipped to provide our new students the best possible start. A highly motivated student cohort with good prospects of successfully completing their studies means more prescriptionists in society, as well as better conditions for our teachers in their teaching, so we have every reason to face the future with optimism,” says Christian Sköld.

With less than two weeks to go before the start of the academic year, the Faculty teachers have just concluded this year’s Undergraduate Education Days. The programme included a session on integrating sustainable development into education, and it is clear that the road ahead offers great opportunities. Christian mentions the ongoing incorporating generative AI into education, as well as the Pedagogical Academy, which is now well into its second year.

“Our education is characterised by a high level of commitment, the Pedagogical Academy gives us opportunities to continue developing as teachers, and the Faculty of Pharmacy is truly an educational environment to be proud of. All this puts us in a strong position to achieve even more – and my ambition is to contribute, through an open climate and well-founded decisions, to help realise the goals and direction set out by the Undergraduate and Master’s Education Committee at the Faculty of Pharmacy for the next three years.”

text: Magnus Alsne, photo: Mikael Wallerstedt a o