Tobias Krantz, MP for the liberal party of Sweden (Folkpartiet), was appointed Minister for Higher Education and Research on 17 June 2009, succeeding former Minister Lars Leijonborg, who resigned from the cabinet earlier this month. Krantz holds a doctoral degree in political science from Uppsala University and has wide experience both within academia and as one of the people behind the 2001 liberal party’s policy programme on higher education.

Krantz himself puts emphasis on promoting a Swedish higher education system of world class: “I want to continue working on the reforms that already have been initiated - independent universities, increased financial support to academic research and a stronger emphasis on quality, are all very important issues. Today's research is tomorrow's welfare”.

Very enthusiastic, the new minister has still some challenges ahead, none insurmountable however.

Swedish government