Wilhelm Agrell, Mykhailo Koval and Stefan Ring appointed first honorary doctors of the Swedish Defence University

Wilhelm Agrell, Professor Emeritus of Intelligence Analysis; Stefan Ring, former head teacher of military strategy, and Mykhailo Koval, Colonel General and Rector of the Ukrainian Defence University, have been appointed the first honorary doctors of the Swedish Defence University.

The Swedish Defence University appoints honorary doctors in honour of people who have made significant contributions to the university's field of defence, crisis management and security. The contribution can be for science, for society in a broad sense or for the activities of the Swedish Defence University.

Honorary Doctor Wilhelm Agrell

Wilhelm Agrell is a historian and professor emeritus in intelligence analysis at Lund University. He earned his Ph.D. in history at Lund University in 1985 and became an associate professor in peace and conflict studies at the same institution in 1987. For many years, Agrell has contributed to research and teaching in intelligence analysis at the Swedish Defence University, thereby strengthening both the profession and the academic environment at the institution.

Motivation

Wilhelm Agrell has contributed to the public understanding of defence and intelligence matters more generally and developed the subject of intelligence analysis. With his background in the intelligence service,
he embodies the ideal of practice-oriented research and education at the Swedish Defence University. Agrell is a recognised authority in the field and has with his numerous publications and inspiring lectures
captured the interest of many for an area that presently
is highly important.

Honorary Doctor Mykhailo Koval

Colonel General Mykhailo Koval serves as the rector of the National Defence University of Ukraine (NDUU). Throughout his extensive military career, he has repeatedly been at the forefront of
Ukraine’s struggle for independence. During the winter of 2023, he led the defence of the city of Bakhmut, ultimately halting the Russian winter offensive. Koval holds a doctorate in fortification, which has allowed him to integrate professional experience with theoretical knowledge on both the battlefield and in his leadership of NDUU. Following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, Koval served for a
period as Ukraine’s acting Minister of Defence.

Motivation

Colonel General Mykhailo Koval’s openness and willingness to share his operational experiences have been crucial in establishing the close collaboration that has developed in recent years between the Swedish
Defence University and its Ukrainian counterpart, the National Defence University of Ukraine in Kyiv. This partnership spans research, education, and cooperation. Colonel General Koval has also made a significant personal contribution to the Swedish Defence University’s knowledge-building efforts regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, facilitating the transfer of valuable experience beneficial to both Sweden and Ukraine.

Honorary Doctor Stefan Ring

After a long career in the Armed Forces, Lieutenant Colonel Stefan Ring spent many years as a principal lecturer in military strategy at the Swedish Defence University. Following his retirement, his commitment to public education in the defence field has continued, including his role as Secretary General of the Swedish Defence Association and as a regular contributor to various journals.

Motivation

With his deep understanding and knowledge in strategy, Stefan Ring has been a source of inspiration both for academic researchers and military leaders. Ring serves as a role model for public education in defence and security issues, and his pioneering work includes his own authorship. Through his teaching and publications, Ring has contributed to understanding the Swedish strategic context and to the conceptual development within military strategy, thus making an important contribution to advancing the field of war studies at the Swedish Defence University.

The honorary doctors will be conferred at the university's first academic ceremony on 22 November 2024. The ceremony is the first conferment ceremony of doctors and honorary doctors since the Swedish Defence University received degree awarding powers at all levels.