The preparations for the second COLOURS Annual Conference are well underway – and we are pleased to offer a preview of what promises to be an energising and forward-looking event.
From 9-11th December 2025, around 150 participants from across our Alliance – including academic and professional staff from all partner universities, as well as representatives of our associated partners and Advisory Board – will gather for three intensive days of learning, dialogue, and co-creation.
This Annual Conference marks a significant moment in the life of the COLOURS Alliance: we are now approaching the halfway point of our first four-year journey. The conference will serve as a shared platform to reflect on what has been achieved so far and, more importantly, to collectively shape the vision for the years ahead.
With a clear focus on where we want to be in two years, we will explore our shared ambitions across core areas of the Alliance: from challenge-based education and micro-credentials to regional innovation ecosystems and the transformation of academic practice. The programme will include interactive workshops where all participants are invited to contribute, exchange, and help guide the Alliance forward.
One key element of the conference will be the COLOURS Convention, which brings together the full alliance in a formal and strategic capacity. It will serve as both a milestone and a momentum-builder – helping us ensure that our collective direction remains aligned, ambitious, and future-oriented.
We are fully aware that this event takes place in one of the darkest months of the year – but we also see it as a perfect moment to turn inward, sharpen our focus, and prepare for the next phase with renewed clarity and shared purpose.
Preliminary program
December 9, Tuesday
14.00 Fieldstudies at Balsgård Food Tech
We will travel by bus to Åhus to visit a testbed/process industry for small-scale drink and food production. You will get to see a newly built facility that supports small, innovative actors in our region as well as nationally. Tasting is included.
Departure at 14:00 from Stora Torg, by the Town Hall, Christian IV:s gata 5-3.
19.00 Dinner at Mässen Kristianstad
Joint dinner in the historic building Stora Kronohuset, Västra Storgatan 25 in central Kristianstad. Pay your own drinks, SEK, Swish or Euro.
December 10, Wednesday
Location: Krinova Incubator & Science Park, Stridsvagnsvägen 14 (next to Kristianstad University Campus), Bus no 4 from Central Station towards Högskolan Kristianstad
8.30 – 9.00 Registration
9.00 – 9.30 Welcome & introduction
Welcome speech by Heike Trautmann, President of COLOURS. Moderators Håkan Pihl, Vice-chancellor Kristianstad University and Anneli Orrung Wallin Pro-vice-chancellor Kristianstad University
9.30 – 10.00 Glimpses of success: Stakeholders success stories.
Moderator: Basel Myhub
10.00 – 12.00 World Café – Development topics for COLOURS
Learn more about World Café and the different topics
12.00 – 13.00 Lunch break / Student Forum Meeting at Krinova, room Learn
Location: The afternoon programme will take place on Kristianstad University Campus (next to Krinova Incubator & Science Park), Elmetorpsvägen 15. Note that Associated Partner activities is an exception and participants can remain at Krinova Incubator & Science park. Those who have participated in the morning sessions will be guided by students to the venues for the afternoon programme.
13.00 – 15.00 Topic based meetings
The topics will be presented shortly
13.00 Activity for associated partners at Krinova Incubator & Science Park
15.00-15.30 Break
The fika break will take place in Building No 7 at Campus (pdf, 76 kB).
15:30-16.30 Steering Committee Meeting, House 6, room 6:315
16.30-16.45 Break
16.45-17.45 Strategy Board Meeting and rectors, House 6, room 6:310
15.30-17.00 Open Space – Concurrent activity for those not involved in Governance Board Meetings
The topics will be presented shortly. Moderators: Fredrika Braw and Mats Åhlander
16.45-18.45 Optional networking including snacks and drinks in House 4, Faculty Club
19.00 Dinner at Näsby Gård
Before the evening dinner, we will gather outside Building 4 (pdf, 76 kB) and walk together to Näsby Gård. Warm clothing and suitable footwear are recommended. Upon arrival, we will enjoy mulled wine and be greeted by a Lucia procession. The evening’s Christmas-inspired dinner has been created by Gastronomy students from Kristianstad University, with a focus on sustainable food consumption. Shuttle buses will transport participants back to Kristianstad city after dinner.
December 11, Thursday
Location: Kristianstad City Hall (Rådhuset), Västra Storgatan 12, across the street from Kristianstad C Train Station
Moderator: Anneli Orrung Wallin, Pro Vice Chancellor Kristianstad University
09.30-10.00 Introduction, recap, todays plan
10.00-10.30 Keynote Speaker
10.30-11.30 Presentation of Work Pack meetings and Student Activities
11.30-11.50 Students´ Kahoot
Moderator: Piergiorgio Mazzotti
11.50-12.00 EDI Policy Ceremony
12.00-13.00 Lunch break
13.00-13.30 Associated Partner Activity Discussion
13.30-15.00 The Future of COLOURS: Future Robustness Study Results, Panel Discussion and Open Discussion
Moderator: Anette Klinkert, Managing Director Colours Alliance
15.00-15.30 Coffee break
15.30 Closing ceremony, handover, COLOURS song
Moderators Håkan Pihl, Vice-chancellor Kristianstad University and Anneli Orrung Wallin Pro-vice -chancellor Kristianstad University
NOTE! We would like all universities to send at least one representative to each one of the following forums, preferably more:
- Vice Chancellor/Rector
- Strategy Board
- WP1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Student Forum
- Associated partners
Registration
Register here for COLOURS Annual Conference 2025.
