On March 2nd the Minister of Finance, Anders Borg visited UID and by way of introduction Tapio Alakörkkö and Maria Göransdotter gave a short presentation about UID&s history, aim and direction. When Tapio told him that Umeå Institute of Design is among the top five design schools in Europe and can compare favourably with the best schools in America, Anders Borg was very impressed.
Tapio Alakörkkö also talked about the externally funded research department at UID and he told the Minister of Finance that UID will try to make the research department one of the nationally leading departments in the field of industrial design. Maria described that the focus on the user is what distinguishes Swedish design and Umeå Institute of Design.
Next on the agenda was a tour to look at the facilities and Anders Borg had a chance to talk to students and staff. Kalle Bergstedt, who has been working at Umeå Institute of Design since it started in 1989 informed the minister of the workshops and showed him some of the equipment.
When Swedish television interviewed the Minister of Finance and asked him about the reason for the Minister of Finance to visit a design school, Anders Borg said that if Sweden is to be competitive in selling cars and phones for instance, then we need great industrial designers. And Umeå Institute of Design delivers a large amount of those excellent designers.
