Åsa Borin: Annual report 2024

At the meeting of the University Board on 19 February, decisions will be made on the annual report for 2024 and other matters. The annual report is the University’s report to the Government on activities and assignments in accordance with the Higher Education Act, the Ordinance concerning the Annual Report and Budget Documentation (2000:605), the Ordinance on Internal Governance and Control (2007:603), the Public Service Agreement and applicable government decisions. The annual report must be approved and reported by 22 February each year. The decision by the University Board is the culmination of intensive work carried out in many different parts of the University.

The annual report shall provide a comprehensive picture of the University’s activities and a true and fair representation of the results of these activities. It must include a performance report, income statement, balance sheet, statement of appropriations and notes. An annual report issued by a higher education institution differs quite significantly from an annual report issued by a company. The main focus of the annual report of a company is the financial results and analyses. For higher education institutions, like Stockholm University, the financial part is important but is just a small aspect, and the annual report covers so much more. A large part of the University’s annual report is our performance report, where we must present information covering all of the various reporting requirements imposed on us. Some of what is reported does not have specific reporting requirements, but falls under the category of “matters of material significance” according to the ordinance.

Many of the reporting requirements are in education. Among other things, we must describe what assessments, prioritisations and needs analyses form the basis for the study programmes offered by the University. More specific requirements are to report the outcomes for the areas we are required to teach: Finnish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Portuguese, radiation biology and Swedish sign language. However, as previously mentioned, the performance reporting is extensive and the above are just two specific examples.

Finally, a word about the financial results for the University, which amounted to a surplus of SEK 35 million. The outcome can be broken down as a deficit of SEK 42 million for Bachelor's and Master's education and a surplus of SEK 77 million for research and doctoral education, which means that the outcomes in both of the University's branches of activity have improved compared with the previous year. As regards the ceiling amount, the result was an overproduction of approximately SEK 29 million, which we have been able to take into account as we have appropriation savings to utilise. The last time the University had a positive financial result was in 2016, when the surplus was SEK 5 million. The economic situation has been challenging and remains so. However, the extensive work and efforts of many people have helped us to nonetheless achieve a positive result. The balanced budget project was completed by the end of last year and we are now bearing the fruit of that work with a positive financial result. We wish to extend a huge and heartfelt thank you to everyone for their efforts.

This text is written by Åsa Borin, University Director. It appears in the section ”Words from the University’s senior management team”, where the management team take turns to write about topical issues. The section appears in every edition of News for staff.