Partners or Counterparts?: Student Involvement in Management and Quality Assurance at Lund University

In English There is an increasing demand from students and their organisations all over Europe for involvement
in quality assurance. Today, this demand is met with a wide international understanding that student
involvement is a key factor in quality assurance. Student representatives and organisations are involved in
the development and execution of quality assurance processes in many higher education institutions. While
involvement is desirable, it puts higher demands on student organisations to act professionally.
Sweden has a long tradition of student involvement in higher education. Swedish legislation entitles
students to representation in all decision-making and preparatory bodies at universities. At Lund University
this has evolved into a student partnership model where student representatives have full insight as equal
partners in university management. This has been a successful and appreciated model. This paper discusses
how the partnership model has evolved, how it is maintained and how the student voice has changed.