The start of the 2025–2026 academic year has begun! See photos from the opening day at all our campuses here.
Today we marked the beginning of a new academic year at all our campuses. Here from Blæstad, outside Hamar. Photo: Ole-André Lagmandokk/University of Inland Norway
By
Marte Veimo
PublishedAug. 19, 2025 8:57 AM - Last modifiedAug. 20, 2025 2:39 PM
The start of studies is always a big day at the University of Inland Norway – but this year was especially significant: This is the first cohort of students we welcome as a university.
The day was celebrated across all six of our campuses. Minister of Research and Higher Education, Sigrun Aasland, attended the opening ceremony in Lillehammer before travelling to Blæstad – where she revealed major news: a new building worth NOK 140 million will be constructed here.
Rector Peer Jacob Svenkerud welcomes the Minister of Research and Higher Education, Sigrun Aasland, to the Lillehammer campus. She came to add prestige to the start of studies at Norway’s newest university. Photo: Ole Martin Ringlund/University of Inland NorwayIt was in every way a brilliant day at the Lillehammer campus today! Photo: Ole Martin Ringlund/University of Inland NorwayIsn’t it …? Yes, it is! Øystein “Pølsa” Pettersen also made his way to Lillehammer today to host the opening ceremony. Photo: Ole Martin Ringlund/University of Inland NorwayArtist Synne Vo helped set the tone during the opening of the academic year in Lillehammer. Photo: Ole Martin Ringlund/University of Inland NorwayAll of these have found their way to University of Inland Norway and the Lillehammer campus. Now it’s about finding the way from the lecture hall to the library via the canteen – and back again. Photo: Ole Martin Ringlund/University of Inland NorwayStudents and staff flocked to the amphitheatre for this year’s opening ceremony in Lillehammer. Photo: Ole Martin Ringlund/University of Inland NorwayNow it’s Buddy Week next! Here from Lillehammer. Photo: Ole Martin Ringlund/University of Inland NorwayGadgets are part of a day like this. The Student Welfare Organisation in Innlandet gets ready to welcome the new students at the Rena campus. Photo: Remo Andre S. Martinsen/University of Inland NorwayLast year we welcomed students to the Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences; this year, for the very first time, we were able to raise the flag for University of Inland Norway at the start of the academic year. Photo: Remo Andre S. Martinsen/University of Inland NorwayThis group arrived well ahead of the first day of studies at Rena. That bodes well for the rest of the semester! Photo: Remo Andre S. Martinsen/University of Inland NorwayReady for a new academic year at the Rena campus. Photo: Remo Andre S. Martinsen/University of Inland NorwayMany new and a few familiar faces in the corridor at the Rena campus today. Photo: Remo Andre S. Martinsen/University of Inland NorwayThe start of the academic year is a pleasant day for our staff as well. Photo: Remo Andre S. Martinsen/University of Inland NorwayThe Mayor of Åmot Municipality, Ole Erik Hørstad, welcomes the students to the Rena campus. Photo: Remo Andre S. Martinsen/University of Inland NorwayBlæstad is known for its great student atmosphere – and it’s already evident on the very first day of studies. Photo: Ole-André Lagmandokk/University of Inland NorwayWelcome as a student at Blæstad! Photo: Ole-André Lagmandokk/University of Inland NorwayThe students at Blæstad are among the most productive – and the first day of studies was no exception. Photo: Ole-André Lagmandokk/University of Inland NorwayNice to meet everyone at the Blæstad campus. Photo: Ole-André Lagmandokk/University of Inland NorwaySummer, sun, and the start of studies at Blæstad. Photo: Ole-André Lagmandokk/University of Inland NorwayThe Minister of Research and Higher Education, Sigrun Aasland, also visited Blæstad today, where she spoke with some of the students. Photo: Ole-André Lagmandokk/University of Inland NorwayThere is usually a great atmosphere at Blæstad, but today they had extra reason to celebrate! The Minister announced that a new building will be constructed on the campus, with an estimated cost of NOK 140 million. Photo: Ole-André Lagmandokk/University of Inland NorwayIt looks set to be a fantastic Buddy Week at Blæstad as well. Photo: Ole-André Lagmandokk/University of Inland NorwayFlags raised high for the start of studies at Evenstad! Photo: Maren Roang Hofseth/University of Inland NorwayThe Mayor of Stor-Elvdal Municipality, Linda Otnes Henriksen, joined the students at Evenstad for the start of studies. Photo: Maren Roang Hofseth/University of Inland NorwayThe student mentors are ready for an eventful week at Evenstad as well! Photo: Maren Roang Hofseth/University of Inland NorwayStart of studies at Evenstad 2025. Photo: Maren Roang Hofseth/University of Inland NorwayAt the Elverum campus, students also flocked in for the start of studies. Photo: Sverre Galgum/University of Inland NorwayCanteen food is an important part of student life – and it has to be tested on the first day. Photo: Sverre Galgum/University of Inland NorwayThe opening ceremony itself took place indoors at Terningen Arena in Elverum, but the new students headed out into the sunshine as soon as they could. Photo: Sverre Galgum/University of Inland NorwayInformation about Freshers’ Week is important to catch on the first day of studies. Here from Elverum. Photo: Sverre Galgum/University of Inland NorwayThese three are ready to get started with their studies at Elverum. Perhaps we’ll have an “after” photo in a few years? Hopefully, they’ll be full of knowledge – but just as cheerful! Photo: Sverre Galgum/University of Inland NorwayThe sun was also shining for the Hamar students. Photo: Espen Kristiansen/University of Inland NorwayNew students at the start of a new academic year. Photo: Espen Kristiansen/University of Inland NorwayThe Buddy Week wristbands are on from day one. Photo: Espen Kristiansen/University of Inland NorwayWithout food and drink, the Hamar students don’t manage either. Photo: Espen Kristiansen/University of Inland NorwayJust look at them! Our new music students show both rhythm and harmony when the photographer asks them to pose. Photo: Espen Kristiansen/University of Inland NorwayThe Mayor of Hamar, Vigdis Stensby, welcomed the students to the city. Photo: Espen Kristiansen/University of Inland NorwayIt will be a festive Buddy Week in Hamar as well. Photo: Espen Kristiansen/University of Inland NorwayNo start-of-studies ceremony without good entertainment. Photo: Espen Kristiansen/University of Inland Norway
