Lennart Andrén appointed new Honorary Doctor

Lennart Andrén, who today is partly retired, has a background as a Director of Studies, for, among other programmes, the University’s oldest programme, the Programme in Innovation Engineering. He has also had assignments on the Board of Directors for several companies that have sprung from students’ thesis projects. He has contributed to developing the University’s holding company Utvecklingsaktiebolag (HHUAB). Today, he is on the Board of Directors for the University’s company Halland Invest AB (HIAB) and Sten Fåhré’s Foundation, which every year awards scholarships to the University’s students.

“Lennart Andrén has for many years contributed to building up the University's innovation support. His work has been characterized by innovation-driven pioneering activities in companies such as Teknocenter and Science Park Halmstad. His efforts helped to create a distinctive focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, which meant that the University later applied for, and received rights for, our unique doctoral education in Innovation Science” says Jonas Gabrielsson, Professor of Business Administration and the one who nominated Lennart Andrén for an Honorary Doctorate.

Title filled with honour

Lennart Andrén is now retired, and even if he does not work full time, he finds ways to stay active. In addition to different assignments on Boards of Directors he likes to play bridge. A couple of times every year him and his wife travel to the Alps to hike. He sees the appointment as Honorary Doctor as a great honour:

“Being appointed Honorary Doctor is a genuine honour for me and I hope that by this I can help spread knowledge about Halmstad University and its role in innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. Also, when it comes to the University overall, I want to shed light on the importance for the local business sector and the development of the region.”

An inspiring jack-of-all-trades who has contributed to shaping the University

An honorary doctorate is a way for the University to show its appreciation of extraordinary efforts. The University can appoint Honorary Doctors within the areas that it has the right to award doctorates: Information Technology, Innovation Sciences, and Health and Lifestyle. During many years, the Honorary Doctors have contributed with meaningful efforts for Halmstad University. Lennart Andrén is appointed Honorary Doctor in Innovation Sciences and will be conferred this autumn at the University’s academic ceremony.

“Lennart Andrén has been an important driving force and has had a great influence on the University and has helped one of our doctoral educations develop. His inspiring and multitasking ways have contributed to shaping the University’s unique image as an innovation driven and collaborative university, where the proximity to practise and empirical phenomena have become a base for research and knowledge development”, says Marie Mattson, Acting Chair of the Research and Education Board, the board that appoints Honorary Doctors.

Text: Christa Amnell
Photo: Anna-Frida Agardsson