Honorary Doctors
Below are the persons who have been awarded honorary doctorates at BTH and a brief background to their appointment.
Peter Örn
Peter Örn was awarded an honorary doctorate at Blekinge Institute of Technology in 2025.
"During his 10 years as chairman of the Board of Governors at Blekinge Institute of Technology, Peter Örn has contributed in various ways to the development of the university. Through his commitment, curiosity and humility, he has shown the way in both good and bad times. He has successfully spread and strengthened the university's brand, supported and encouraged management and staff in challenging situations and taken part in both academic and administrative activities with great interest."
Helena Olá
Helena Olá was awarded an honorary doctorate at Blekinge Institute of Technology in 2021.
"Helena Olá is appointed honorary doctor for her commitment and support in building BTH's cutting-edge research in software engineering and computer science. Helena's, and through her Ericsson's, commitment to actively raise the needs of industry and contribute with a constructive vision of the future has strongly contributed to the successes that BTH has had over the past decade, especially in software engineering.
As a technician, and in her role as Head of Development Unit at Ericsson, Helena has been a steady force in establishing a long-term and mutually beneficial collaboration between Ericsson and BTH. She has also been directly active by constructively collaborating in setting research agendas and by innovatively challenging and encouraging new thinking."
Martin Wallin
Martin Wallin was awarded an honorary doctorate at Blekinge Institute of Technology in 2021.
"Martin Wallin is appointed honorary doctor for his efforts and commitment to industry and academia collaborating in research in industrial large-scale software development, software engineering, computer science and software-intensive products and services. The collaboration will lead to more high-quality, industry-relevant research with new perspectives, which will also have a positive impact on companies' software development.
Since the turn of the millennium, Martin has worked for, and ensured, that Ericsson participates in collaborations with BTH in a variety of research initiatives. He was also a driving force in the establishment of Ericsson Space at BTH - a lab that serves as a meeting place for students, researchers and companies where new software technology is created."
Mikael Blomqvist
Mikael Blomqvist was awarded an honorary doctorate at Blekinge Institute of Technology in 2019.
"Mikael Blomqvist is an incurably curious optimist who is not afraid to experiment or test new technology. He has an ability to see what's coming, and you could say that most of the companies he has started have been a little ahead of their time.
In 1990, he founded Roxtec, a company specialising in flexible cable entry solutions. With Roxtec, he broke new ground, created new markets and the company soon became a world leader. Today, BTH and Roxtec collaborate in both research and education.
Another of Mikael's core issues is education and skills supply. He has a great commitment and a good understanding of BTH's role in the region's survival and growth. Through his previous role as a member of the BTH Board, he has contributed to the university's development."
Lars Angelin
Lars Angelin was awarded an honorary doctorate at Blekinge Institute of Technology in 2017.
[from the motivation]
"Lars Angelin is appointed honorary doctor for his efforts and passionate commitment to industrial-academic collaboration, especially in research in software engineering. Lars has actively worked for cross-fertilization between industry and academia, which provides new perspectives and effects on both corporate software development and academic research and thus also creates societal benefits.
Since the turn of the millennium, Lars has worked for, and ensured, that industry, and especially Ericsson, participates in collaborations with BTH in a variety of research initiatives including industrial doctoral students, research projects, contract research, staff mobility and traditional doctoral student collaborations for the benefit of both Ericsson and BTH."
Göran Johnsson
Göran Johnsson was awarded an honorary doctorate at Blekinge Institute of Technology in 2016.
"Göran Johnsson has had a close relationship with BTH for a long time. Already in the late 80s, when Göran Johnsson was active at Volvo, he was part of a regional R&D council together with the then rector Per Eriksson and Ulf G Lindén, the latter also honorary doctor at the university.
During the period 2009-2012, he was a member of the external council that existed at the Section of Engineering at BTH. The council consisted of Swedish and international representatives from industry and the public sector. The purpose of the council was to provide valuable input to the programs in the field of engineering.
Göran Johnsson has also been active in finding collaborative projects between BTH and IUC Olofström, for example a number of projects in water cutting, measurement and tool making. During the years 2010-2014, Göran Johnsson was chairman of the steering group for the waterjet cutting lab in Ronneby, which was initially run by BTH."
Previous honorary doctorates
- Jeanette Blomberg, 2011
- Kalluri Chenchi Reddy, 2010
- Gösta Blücher, 2010
- Martin Walfisz, 2009
- Natalia Juristo, 2009
- Ashok Jhunjhunwala, 2008
- Andreas Faludi, 2008
- Göran Carstedt, 2007
- Leif Johansson, 2006
- Jay David Bolter, 2004
- Nils Rydbeck, 2004
- Ulf G. Lindén, 2000
- Roland Andersson, 1999
- Stig Hagström, 1999