This year’s Chalmers Medal is awarded to Jana Madjarova, Johan Malmqvist and Jari Kinaret.
Photographer: Jonas Magnusson, Carina Schultz, Chips Joint Undertaking
Since 1948, the Chalmers Medal has been awarded annually to a person who has ‘through interest and valuable contributions promoted the activities and development of the university’ – in other words, someone who has done something extraordinary for Chalmers. In 2026, no fewer than three individuals fit that description.
Professor Jari Kinaret is one of Europe’s most influential research leaders in advanced future technologies and was a driving force behind the Graphene Flagship, the EU’s largest research initiative ever. ‘Through his long-term leadership, systems perspective and ability to create strong research environments, he has strengthened Europe’s technological autonomy while further consolidating Chalmers’ position as an international research powerhouse,’ the citation states, among other things.
Professor Jana Madjarova receives the medal for having ‘over more than two decades shaped mathematics education at Chalmers and influenced generations of engineers and mathematicians through her educational leadership, academic excellence and deep commitment to student development’. She has also been actively involved in the Swedish Schools Mathematics Competition and the Swedish Mathematical Olympiad.
Professor Johan Malmqvist is one of the founders of the international CDIO initiative, one of the world’s most influential educational frameworks for engineering education. ‘His tireless work and educational leadership have strengthened engineering education both at Chalmers and at many other universities worldwide.’
The recipients have been selected by the Board of Directors of Chalmers University of Technology AB. The medal will be presented at Chalmers’ Annual Academic Ceremony on 5 November.
Facts / Citations
Jari Kinaret
‘Jari Kinaret is one of Europe’s most influential research leaders in advanced future technologies. As a driving force behind the Graphene Flagship, the EU’s largest research initiative ever, he established a powerful structure that not only delivered more than one hundred promised scientific and technological results but also exceeded expectations in terms of applications, patents, spin-offs and societal impact.
His role as Executive Director of the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) since 2023 reflects the high level of European confidence in his ability to lead complex, strategically important technology programmes. Chips JU is central to Europe’s future competitiveness in semiconductor development, an area fundamental to technology, industry and society.
Through his long-term leadership, systems perspective and ability to create strong research environments, he has strengthened Europe’s technological autonomy while further consolidating Chalmers’ position as an international research powerhouse. Jari Kinaret is therefore an exceptionally worthy recipient of the Chalmers Medal.’
Jana Madjarova
‘Professor Jana Madjarova has, for more than two decades, shaped mathematics education at Chalmers and influenced generations of engineers and mathematicians through her educational leadership, academic excellence and deep commitment to student development.
Her course Introductory Mathematical Analysis, “Janan”, has been one of the most formative elements of the education programmes in Engineering Physics and Engineering Mathematics, and her final lecture in 2025 was met with a standing ovation from a packed lecture hall.
Beyond Chalmers, she has played a central role in the Swedish Schools Mathematics Competition and the Swedish Mathematical Olympiad, where over many years she has promoted interest, excellence and broader participation in mathematics at the national level. Through the development of entrance examinations, teacher training initiatives and her extensive work to strengthen mathematical literacy, she has contributed to Sweden’s long-term supply of expertise within STEM.
Jana Madjarova’s profound impact on mathematics education and talent development makes her a highly deserving recipient of the Chalmers Medal.’
Johan Malmqvist
‘Professor Johan Malmqvist is one of the founders of the international CDIO initiative, one of the world’s most influential educational frameworks for engineering education. The CDIO framework, which stands for Conceive, Design, Implement and Operate, aims to integrate the core of engineering with professional skills in an authentic learning environment. Since its launch in 2000, the CDIO model has been adopted by more than 200 universities worldwide.
Through research, publications and international collaboration, he has continuously advanced the development of engineering education pedagogy. As co-author of Rethinking Engineering Education – The CDIO Approach and as a key contributor to the further development of The CDIO Syllabus 3.0, he has played a decisive role in shaping future educational standards.
At Chalmers, he has combined practical educational leadership with research of the highest calibre and, in various roles, has fundamentally influenced both programme development and educational quality. His tireless work and educational leadership have strengthened engineering education both at Chalmers and at many other universities worldwide. Johan Malmqvist is therefore a highly deserving recipient of the Chalmers Medal.’