08 September 2020

The new vice-chancellor, Jan-Ingvar Jönsson, took up his post during the summer. The traditional installation, including the passing of the vice-chancellor’s chain of office from the previous incumbent, will take place on 3 October.

Photographer: Magnus Johansson

Jan-Ingvar Jönsson will be the seventh vice-chancellor to wear the chain of office. It was designed and produced by goldsmiths Margareth Sandström and Peter de Wit, and was a gift to the university from Linköping Municipality when it opened in 1975.

Photo credit Charlotte Perhammar“Historically, the installation was a public confirmation of who possessed the power and authority to control the university during the coming period, and exercise the associated jurisdiction. It still fills this function today. The symbolism of a chain of office that passes from one vice-chancellor to the next one emphasises this”, says Master of Ceremonies Camilla Smedberg.

Some previous installations have taken the form of a separate event, while others have been carried out during the Academic Photo credit Thor BalkhedCeremony. The installation this year will take place in Studenthuset on Campus Valla, Saturday 3 October, with only a few participants present. Jan-Ingvar Jönsson will give his installation speech at the event, describing what he will hopes to achieve as vice-chancellor. The ceremony is scheduled to take approximately 45 minutes and will be followed by dinner.
“The installation of the vice-chancellor is for invited guests only, and we will follow the recommendations of the Public Health Agency of Sweden, which stipulate a maximum of 50 participants”, says Camilla Smedberg. The ceremony will, however, be filmed and available for viewing after the event.

As a consequence of the installation, Studenthuset will be closed on Saturday 3 October.

Translated by George Farrants


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