The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (Swedish: Kungliga Ingenjörsvetenskapsakademien, IVA), founded on 24 October 1919 by King Gustaf V, is one of the royal academies in Sweden. The academy is an independent organisation, which promotes contact and exchange between business, research, and government, in Sweden and internationally. It is the world's oldest academy of engineering sciences.(OECD Reviews of Innovation Policy: Sweden 2012).
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Leadership
The King is the patron of the academy.
The following people have been presidents of IVA since its foundation in 1919:
1919–1940: Axel F. Enström
1941–1959: Edy Velander
1960–1970: Sven Brohult
1971–1982: Gunnar Hambraeus
1982–1994: Hans G. Forsberg
1995–2000: Kurt Östlund
1999–2001: (temporary) Enrico Deiaco
2001–2008: Lena Treschow Torell
2008–2017: Björn O. Nilsson
2017–2023: Tuula Teeri
2024-Present Sylvia Schwaag Serger
Academy member
Each year, outstanding scientists and engineers from universities and industries are elected into membership of IVA. Currently, the academy has 1000 Swedish and 300 foreign members. Foreign members are non-resident and non-citizen of Sweden. All new members are nominated by existing members.
Focus areas
The academy focuses on twelve areas of engineering sciences:
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Building and Construction
Chemical Engineering
Mining and Materials
Management
Basic and Interdisciplinary Engineering Sciences
Forest Technology
Economics
Biotechnology
Education and Research Policy
Information Technology
Each focus area is addressed by a committee with a representative chair.
Awards
The academy awards several prizes, medals and scholarships:
Large Gold Medal (since 1924)
Gold Medal (since 1921)
Brinell medal (Brinellmedaljen, since 1936, and named after Johan August Brinell)
Gold Plaque (since 1951)
Honorary Sign (since 1919)
Axel F. Enstrom Medal (1959–1981)
Prize for science in journalism (since 2015)
Hans Werthén Fonden
The King Carl XVI Gustafs 50-years-old Foundation