Starting this spring students at Lund University will be receiving their degree certificates as a PDF rather than the traditional printed version with their Dean's signature. Lund University has decided on this change along with 36 other Swedish institutions of higher education, while three have opted out.
Several student organisations have voiced their criticism over the past two years and demanded to be included in the decision process, but as things stand they feel that they have not been listened to.
Saga Mossberg, vice president of our student union LundaEkonomerna, confirms the worry and criticism expressed by Lunds universitets studentkårer in a debate article in Lundagård from December.
One of the main points of objection lies in the worry that the digital diploma might face problems in getting recognised in an international context.
In the light of recent events one doctoral student at LUSEM had this to say:
"It is interesting that the university has decided to switch to digital degrees after the attack on Primula, which highlighted the vulnerability of our digital systems."
Further information from Lund University on degree certificates can be found here.