Kristianstad is named Student City of the Year 2024 by the Swedish National Union of Students (SFS). Among other things, for the city's ability to offer a good and rewarding environment for students to grow, contribute and thrive in.
- We are honored that Kristianstad has been awarded the Student City of the Year 2024 award, says Anneli Orrung Wallin, pro-rector at Kristianstad University. It is a confirmation of the commitment of the university, the student union, the municipality and the local business community to create an environment where students can develop academically and personally. Now we will continue to work together to make Kristianstad an even better student city in which to study, live and thrive.
In the justification from SFS, mention is made of good communications, a welcoming housing situation and a distinctive collaboration that prevails between the city's students, university, public actors and business, and that student influence is expressed in several parts of the city's and university's development.
- We are extremely happy and proud of the award. For several years, we have purposefully worked together with the university, the student union and the business community to promote Kristianstad as a good place for students to study, live and live in. The award is a receipt for the good cooperation that exists. A successful university with students who get to experience everything Kristianstad has to offer is an important development engine for the whole of north-eastern Scania, says Camilla Palm (M), chairman of the municipal board Kristianstad Municipality.
Student City of the Year is awarded annually by SFS to a city that excels in its work to create a good study and living environment for students.
- Kristianstad has particularly distinguished itself as a city that welcomes its students. Through the city's housing guarantee and other initiatives for the housing situation, all students can get a safe start to their studies. Thanks to the cooperation with the rest of the city, students also become an integral part of the city's development, which means that many want to stay after their studies. From the students' side, we are happy to be able to pay tribute to that work, says Jacob Färnert, chairman of the Swedish National Union of Students.
Hugo Olsson, who is the chairman of the Kristianstad student union, KSK, holds up the Student City of the Year award as a receipt for the local student commitment as well.
- As a student union, we are very grateful for this award. It is incredibly fun that the joint work to improve the students' role in society here in the city is visible. Now it's just a matter of continuing the work we've done and making sure that Kristianstad is a city where students feel welcome.
The jury's justification for the award in its entirety:
"In north-east Scania is a city that has long had a vision and has carried out active and concrete work to become Student City of the Year, regardless of award or not. The Swedish National Union of Students can give the very gratifying news that Kristianstad has been named Student City of the Year 2024. This designation emphasizes the city's ability to offer a good and rewarding environment for students to grow, contribute and thrive in.
In Kristianstad, students can enjoy a welcoming housing situation combined with good communications. Kristianstad has received a green mark in the SFS annual housing report three years in a row. For the students, there is a housing guarantee and the rental costs are kept at a reasonable level. Many student housing also offers 10-month rent. A smart housing portal has been developed to simplify the process for students. There is a closeness to nature with both parks, forests, lakes and the sea. Finally, the jury would like to pay special attention to Bed and Study, which is a project that has given heavily discounted prices for overnight stays in hotels and study places for students who only need to be in town for a short time. A fantastic feature for a university with a large proportion of distance and commuter students.
Also distinctive is the good collaboration that prevails between the city's students, university, public actors and business. Student influence is expressed in several parts of the city's and the university's development. Investments and initiatives from the students are given the opportunity to flourish under the auspices of the city. Student social ideas such as concerts and discounts have been carried out on a regular basis and are welcomed by several actors in the city.
There are several projects that aim for the students to have a smooth transition from studies to working life in Kristianstad but also in the entire Skåne and Öresund region. The jury would like to draw particular attention to the projects Framtidens entrepreneurial workforce, Framtidsmässan and Students in leadership, all of which focus on the students and their future. The student benefit permeates and shows that the students are a natural part of the city's progress."
For further information please contact:
Leo Nystrom, SFS communications manager, [email protected], 0730413325