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-Vice-Chancellor 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, together, we will continue to work to make Kristianstad an even better student city to study, live and enjoy.
The justification from SFS mentions good communications, a welcoming housing situation and a distinctive collaboration that exists between the city's students, the university, public actors and the business community, as well as the fact that student influence is expressed in several parts of the city's and the university's development.
– We are extremely happy and proud of the award. For several years, we have worked purposefully together with the university, the student union and the business community to promote Kristianstad as a good place for students to study, live and reside. The award is a testament to 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 entire northeastern Skåne region, says Camilla Palm (M), chairwoman of the municipal board of 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 secure start to their studies. Thanks to the collaboration 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 this work, says Jacob Färnert, chairman of the Swedish National Union of Students.
Hugo Olsson, who is chairman of the Kristianstad Student Union, KSK, highlights the Student City of the Year award as a testament to the local student commitment.
– As a student union, we are very grateful for this award. It is incredibly nice that the joint work to improve the role of students in society here in the city is visible. Now it is only important that the work we have done continues and that we ensure that Kristianstad is a city where students feel welcome.
The jury's motivation for the award in full:
"In northeastern Skåne lies a city that has long had a vision and has been actively and concretely working to become Student City of the Year, regardless of award or not. The Swedish National Union of Students can give the very pleasing news that Kristianstad has been named Student City of the Year 2024. This appointment 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. There is a housing guarantee for students and rental costs are kept at a reasonable level. Many student housing also offer 10-month rent. A smart housing portal has been developed to simplify the process for students. There is proximity 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 provided heavily discounted prices on overnight stays in hotels and study places for students who only need to be in town for a short time. A fantastic feature for an institution of higher education with a large proportion of distance and commuter students.
Also notable is the good collaboration that exists between the city's students, the university, public actors and the business community. 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 city's auspices. Student social ideas such as concerts and discounts have been implemented on a regular basis and are welcomed by several actors in the city.
There are several projects that aim to ensure that students 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 pay special attention to the projects Future Entrepreneurial Workforce, Future Fair and Students in Leadership, which all focus on students and their future. Student benefits permeate and show that students are a natural part of the city's progress.”
For further information please contact:
Leo Nystrom, SFS Communications Manager, [email protected], 0730413325