SKERIC Week 2025 successfully brought together more than 160 researchers and university leaders from eight leading institutions across Sweden and Korea from 17–21 November. With over 80 participants traveling from Sweden, the gathering marked one of the largest academic delegations between the two countries and reaffirmed the growing momentum of the Sweden–Korea research and innovation collaboration. Expanding the institutional partnerships are timely, as Korea’s association to Horizon Europe took effect this year.
Since its launch in 2023, SKERIC (Sweden Korea Education, Research, and Innovation Collaboration) – coordinated by Lund University, co-funded by STINT and supported by the Embassy of Sweden in Korea – has grown into a dynamic platform connecting Lund University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Umeå University, Uppsala University and the University of Gothenburg with Korea University, POSTECH and Seoul National University.
At the core of SKERIC are three work packages. The first brings together interdisciplinary groups of young researchers from both countries to tackle cross-border societal challenges, recognizing their role as catalysts for fresh perspectives and breakthrough ideas. The second is the Science Diplomacy Academy, an international academic leadership programme aimed at equipping future scientific leaders in Korea and Sweden with the tools to handle international complexity. The third, Science to Business Forum, provides opportunities for technology commercialization networking and sharing of technology commercialization policies and innovation cases between the two countries – this year’s focus was on spinouts in precision health. From Lund University, three companies participated:
MEDQUS – Stroke risk assessment
Capillon Analytics AB – Early cancer diagnostics
Sorbus Biomedical – Advanced cell therapy
The weeklong programme was packed with highlights, such as the SKERIC x K-Venture Renaissance Forum, Horizon Europe workshops, the Nobel Memorial Symposium, dynamic research workshops, a seminar on science diplomacy, and a memorable Sweden–Korea Alumni & Start-up Networking Event, just to mention a few. Amazing food, great conversations, and fantastic people on top of that, made the days truly special.
Now we move into the final year of the project with plenty of ideas and collaboration opportunities to develop. And we are looking forward to welcoming the Korean partners to Sweden next year as Lund University will host SKERIC Week 2026.
