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“We will operate a network collaboration in which each institution can develop on its own terms and further develop its unique characteristics and strengths.  The institutions will continue as state institutions with academic independence and institutional autonomy,” says the University of Bergen Rector.

Will ensure continued diversity
The statement is a response to reports from, among others, NRK Sogn og Fjordane, which reported in January that Sogn og Fjordane University College (HSF) could become part of a new Western Norwegian university together with the University of Bergen, Bergen University College (HIB) and Stord/Haugesund University College (HSH).

At a seminar held last month at Solstrand Hotel for the University of Bergen branch of the Norwegian Association of Researchers, Steinar Stjernø, chair of the Stjernø committee, presented organisational coordination between the institutions as one of several alternatives for the further development of higher education. ”It is problematic that the Norwegian higher education system is extremely fragmented; it consists of a large number of entities, many of which are small,” Mr Stjernø said.
Sigmund Grønmo does not agree that small entities are a problem in themselves.

“By starting a network collaboration, we will maintain the positive aspects of our current system, namely that many entities means diversity and differentiation,” says Mr Grønmo.

Will collaborate on the education of researchers
“The regional connection will be the driving force for the collaboration between higher education institutions in Western Norway, and support will be secured for the collaboration in the academic environments at the different institutions involved, “ says Mr Grønmo. 

The concrete, short-term measures being considered include offering recommended programmes of study across institutional boundaries, e.g. a Bachelor’s degree at one or more university colleges and higher degrees such as Master’s degrees and possibly also PhD degrees at the University of Bergen.  Other measures could include collaboration on the training of researchers through special University of Bergen programmes for candidates from the university colleges, special programmes for competence building among university college staff and collaboration on the supervision of PhD candidates.

“In addition, we hope to achieve closer research collaboration, among other things through identifying common denominators among strong academic environments and facilitating project collaborations and joint research seminars,“ says Mr Grønmo.

A project committee has been appointed consisting of representatives of Bergen University College (HIB), Stord/Haugesund University College (HSH),  Sogn og Fjordane University College (HSF) and the University of Bergen. It is chaired by senior advisor Asbjørn Bjørnset.  The committee will shortly present concrete proposals as to how the collaboration can be developed in the next 2-3 years.