Dear

Jenny Helin (Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor for Campus Gotland),

Annica Nilsson (Vice-head of Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering at UU),

Susanne Mirbt (Head of unit at University Administration; Division for Quality Enhancement; Academic Teaching and Learning at UU),

Anders Hagfeldt (Vice-Chancellor at UU),

Håkan Kullvén (Head of department at Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering; Administration och service at UU)

Marcus Lindahl (Subject responsible Professor at Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering at UU),

we, the students, alumni, teachers, stakeholders, and friends of the Sustainable Destination Development Program at Campus Gotland, Uppsala University, are writing to express our deep concern and disappointment regarding the decision to terminate this valuable program.

Since its establishment in 2018, the Sustainable Destination Development program has been an important platform for academic exploration and community engagement. Situated on the island of Gotland, a region struggling with over-tourism every summer yet striving to become Sweden's most sustainable destination by 2040, our program has played a significant role in advancing sustainable practices in this special setting.

The program's location on Gotland serves as a strategic advantage, offering students a unique opportunity to engage directly with the challenges and opportunities of sustainable tourism. Acting as a living laboratory, this setting allows for immersive learning experiences and fosters close collaboration with local stakeholders. Through this synergy between academia and the community, our research and educational endeavors have tangible real-world impact, aligning with the university's commitment to promoting sustainable development and fostering meaningful community partnerships. These commitments are readily available for everyone on UU's webpage within their strategic vision.

While we understand that difficult decisions must sometimes be made, the decision to close the Sustainable Destination Development program not only undermines the investments of students, teachers, and stakeholders but also contradicts the university's strategic goals. Despite consistent numbers in student enrollment (which can be read up on the website of Universitets-och högskolerådet) and fruitful collaborations with local stakeholders, the closure disregards Uppsala University's commitment to local sustainable development and community collaboration. Further, the data collection on Gotland for a master thesis reveals that the decision was made without adequate consultation with stakeholders, leading to feelings of frustration and disillusionment among those who have invested in the program's success. This lack of transparency and consultation surrounding this decision is deeply troubling. Stakeholders who have been integral to the program's success were not informed of the impending closure, eroding trust and jeopardizing future collaborations with Uppsala University. Furthermore, the closure of the program represents a squandering of resources carefully built over the years and undermines the university's commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds.

For the students currently enrolled in the program, the closure came as a devastating blow. They faced uncertainty about the future of their education and lament the loss of a vibrant academic community that has enriched their learning experiences. Students graduating in 2025, in particular, express concern about the impact of this decision on their final year of study, deprived of the opportunity to mentor and learn from incoming cohorts as students have done in years past.

The decision to discontinue the Sustainable Destination Development program at Uppsala University's Campus Gotland raises concerns regarding the university's reputation, international collaborations, and commitment to sustainable development. It may be perceived as a deviation from the institution's commitment in forward-thinking programs aimed at addressing pressing societal challenges. Moreover, international students, alumni, and partners may perceive the closure as indicative of short-term considerations taking precedence over the university's long-term commitment to sustainability and responsible resource management. Furthermore, the loss of this program jeopardizes valuable international collaborations and partnerships, which have been cultivated over the years.

To sum it up, the discontinuation of the program represents a loss of valuable resources and expertise that have been cultivated over the years. In the words of a local stakeholder that worked with the program: “It seems like a failure for Gotland and a shortsighted decision by the university.”

It is our hope that alternative solutions can be explored to preserve the legacy and contributions of the Sustainable Destination Development Program.

Sincerely,

the students, alumni, teachers, stakeholders, and friends of the Sustainable Destination Development Program