Olle Wijk, executive vice president and head of R&D for Sandvik Materials Technology, also chairman of Sandvik AB's R&D board, was appointed visiting professor at Shanghai University on 6 June.

From 1987 to 1996, Olle Wijk was a professor in applied process metallurgy at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm (KTH), where he was also advisor to several top Chinese students who were preparing their doctoral dissertations.

In preparation for Sandvik's future expansion in China, Olle Wijk presented the company's needs for skilled personnel to his Chinese university contacts. As a result, Olle Wijk was appointed visiting professor at Shanghai University at an official ceremony on 6 June.

In connection with his appointment, Sandvik also established a scholarship for about SEK 100,000 per year at Shanghai University. The scholarship will be awarded to top students. It will also be used to encourage basic-level students.

In his role as visiting professor, Olle Wijk will give lectures at Shanghai University when he makes business trips to China. Olle Wijk is also honorary professor at Shenyang University in China.