Ministry of Education and Research

South Africa’s Minister of Science and Technology visited Norway

South Africa’s Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena, visited his Norwegian colleague Tora Aasland from the 30th of October – 1st of November to celebrate 10 years academic relation between South Africa and Norway.

The Prime Minister and his new ministers outside the Royal Castle. Photo: Scanpix

Changes in the Government

In today’s extraordinary session of the Council of State the King has made the changes in the Government.

- A proactive budget for Norway’s knowledge economy

The Norwegian Government intends to create 350 new fellowships to boost recruitment of scientists and academics. The Government also intends to increase the capital of the Research and Innovation Fund to NOK 66 billion in 2008. Total budget allocations to research and development will increase by NOK 1.2 billion. More student residences and increased student funding are also on the Government’s agenda for 2008.

Polish-Norwegian Research fund launched

Poland and Norway launch a joint research fund to encourage bilateral Polish-Norwegian research co-operation. The Polish-Norwegian research fund specifically earmarks the fields of environment and health.

Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Norway gets its first Kavli Institute

The Centre for the Biology of Memory at The Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim was proclaimed one of the world’s 15 Kavli Institutes. The Kavli Foundation, founded by Norwegian-American Fred Kavli, has previously established Kavli Institutes at elite institutions such as Harvard, Stanford and Cambridge, to mention a few.

NOK 120 million allocated to Polish-Norwegian Research Fund

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved the establishment of the planned Polish-Norwegian Research Fund. The total budget for the fund in 2007 - 2009 is NOK 120 million (EUR 15 million). Of this amount, NOK 100 million will come from Norwegian EEA funds and the Polish government will contribute in the range of NOK 20 million.

Norway - A major contributor in the International Polar Year

Yesterday, 01 March, saw the kick-off of the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2009. The Norwegian government has granted NOK 80 million for polar research under the IPY in 2007 alone. – The IPY will boost international research on the Arctic and Antarctica regions. It will provide us with new knowledge about climate change, as well as other issues, Prime Minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg, said during the opening ceremony in Oslo.

Knowledge is at the core of the High North strategy

The Government’s High North strategy attaches great importance to developing knowledge and competence. – Our aim is for Norway to be at the top of the league in developing knowledge in and about the High North, said Minister of Education and Research Øystein Djupedal, when the strategy was presented today.

What is "the Knowledge Promotion"?

The Knowledge Promotion is the latest reform in the 10-year compulsory school and in upper secondary education and training. It introduces certain changes in substance, structure and organization from the first grade in the 10-year compulsory school to the last grade in upper secondary education and training.

Big investment in kindergarten and education

The Government proposes to increase funding for preschool education by some NOK 3.2 billion in 2007. Of this, The Government also proposes to allocate over NOK 370 million to the introduction of free learning materials for students in upper secondary education. Additionally, the Government proposes to increase the capital of the Research and Innovation Fund by NOK 10 billion to NOK 60 billion. Total budget allocations to research and development will increase by almost NOK 900 million.

Telephone:	+47 22 24 90 90
Fax:	+47 22 24 95 40

Minister of Education

Bård Vegar Solhjell

Minister of Research and Higher Education

Tora Aasland