Although the news from today’s Council was only a few hours old, they were greeted by hundreds of students and staff at Hamar campus.
The government representatives brought encouraging words for the students and staff – and flowers for the rector.
Minister of Research and Higher Education, Oddmund Hoel, spoke first, beginning by referencing today’s Council meeting.
– Your Majesty, today Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences is to become a university. Indeed, replied the King, quoted the minister.
And with that, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences became history, and the University of Inland Norway was established.
– This truly is a day of celebration, said the minister, emphasising that it applies to Blæstad, Elverum, Evenstad, Hamar, Lillehammer, Rena, Kongsvinger, and Tynset alike.
Minister of Finance Trygve Slagsvold Vedum was also all smiles today.
– I remember sitting in the County Council, where we had debate after debate about the Inland University project. And now the rector has fully brought it to fruition, he said, nodding to Rector Svenkerud.
– This is nation-building. And for our region, it is incredibly significant that we can now say we have a university, Vedum added.
Minister of Education Kari Nessa Nordtun also emphasised the impact that university status will have on the region. As a Rogaland native, she draws on her own county’s experience with the University of Stavanger.
– This brings added momentum, extra enthusiasm, it fosters collaboration, and it creates important ripple effects with the business community, said the Minister of Education, adding:
– It also led to stronger academic development in traditional professional programmes, such as teacher education, which is, of course, a particular focus of mine.
Student representatives Jenny Marie Aasan and Joachim Johannessen concluded the formal ceremony by congratulating the University of Inland Norway.
And then there was cake to mark the historic occasion.
Oddmund Hoel and Rector Peer Jacob Svenkerud together cut the first slice of the university cake.
Staff and students also enjoyed a delicious end to the week.
As if there wasn't enough to celebrate, Minister Oddmund Hoel also had a birthday today. This was, of course, marked with birthday songs and dancing!
Read more