The Faculty of Education hosted the gathering following INN’s admission to the network in spring 2024. The meeting offered an opportunity to introduce international colleagues to the university, the faculty and the surrounding region.
"The Comenius Association is a network of teacher education institutions across Europe. We joined in spring 2024, through the Faculty of Education, and as a new member we hosted this year’s autumn meeting", says Hilde Hildonen Brustad, Head of Section.
For Gunhild Tomter Alstad, Dean of the Faculty of Education, membership marks an important step for the faculty.
"Seeing representatives from teacher education institutions across Europe gathered here reminds us of the value of international collaboration. Joining the Comenius Association is an important step for our faculty, and I am very pleased that we are now part of this community. It strengthens our international profile and opens new opportunities for our students, staff, and educational development".
Working across borders
The Comenius Association works to strengthn intercultural understanding in teacher education across Europe. Its philosophy encourages future teachers to appreciate cultural differences, question their own assumptions and learn from other educational perspectives. Through international weeks, Erasmus+ exchanges and joint projects, the network brings students and staff together to share experiences and further develop teaching practices.
It’s about working together across borders on issues that matter to teacher education and bringing an international perspective into our programmes. In recent years, a lot of that work has focused on international weeks for students and staff, says Brustad.
The association’s international weeks give students and staff opportunities to encounter different educational settings and approaches. Depending on the host institution, activities can include school visits, courses, cultural visits and discussions about teaching practice.
Introducing partners to Innlandet
Alongside the meeting, participants visited Hamar and Lillehammer, as well as local schools and kindergartens.
The hosts introduced participants to INN’s academic enviroment and the region’s schools and cultural attractions.
"We wanted to show our partners what the university, the faculty and the Innlandet region have to offer. We visited Hamar and Lillehammer and took them on school visits too", says Brustad.
A new standard for Comenius autumn meetings
Comenius Association President Philip O’Neill described the visit as “a new standard for Comenius autumn meetings”, pointing to the hospitality and the connections made with INN staff.
"Every September, we hold our member meeting at one of our partner institutions. This year, we had the privilege of visiting Hamar and Lillehammer. INN only recently joined, but they already fit right in," he says.
“We experienced true Norwegian hospitality—not just through the wonderful dinner at Basarene or the visit to Hoel Gaard, but especially through the people.”
O’Neill highlighted the shared challenges and opportunities that bring the institutions together.
“We face the same challenges, including teacher shortages. But we also have shared strengths: conducting research together and developing projects for our students and staff. For me, the best part was seeing our European guests connect with INN staff and thus create opportunities for all.”