The 61-year-old was one of the toughest rivals of the Norwegian cross-country skiers in the early 90s, but still became exceptionally popular in Norway. He won the World Cup in 1991 and 1994, but the highlight of his career came when he won the 5000m at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics, where he was cheered on by a sea of Norwegians.
I have so many positive thoughts and memories associated with Lillehammer.
Vladimir Smirnov
The Rector welcomed the delegation
Now Smirnov is working, among other things, on building bridges between his home country Kazakhstan and Norway.
On Wednesday, he was part of a delegation from Almaty Management University that visited us. Rector Peer Jacob Svenkerud welcomed them.
“This is one of the first visits we have had from an international educational institution since we became a university. In the time to come, it will be important to nurture, but not least establish new international relationships,” says Svenkerud.
Svenkerud gave the visitors an overview of our campuses, faculties, study programs, research activities, and examples of international collaboration at the various faculties.
Introduction to INN
The delegation from Almaty Management University was also given a presentation of the Bachelor in Sport Management programme by Svein Erik Nordhagen. A similar programme is offered in Kazakhstan.
Nordhagen drew attention to how the programme fosters international relations, and how our students interact with regional organizations and events, including those related to volunteering.
The opportunities for exchange and study trips during the course of studies were also exemplified, as well as job opportunities within sports.
Professor Bent Rønnestad is internationally recognized and has been named the world's best in cycling research.
He presented his work within endurance sports to the visitors, with a particular focus on professional cycling and his collaboration with various cycling teams, as well as his research's relevance to public health.
It's very impressive to see what positive effects the Olympics can have.
Vladimir Smirnov
"It was a very pleasant visit and a great meeting where we got to present some relevant study programmes and showcased some of our leading researchers," says Svenkerud.
Almaty Management University (ALMAU) is a higher education institution in Kazakhstan with approximately 5200 students, of which approximately 140 are international students. They have particularly strong academic environments within business management and entrepreneurship. The private university was established in 1988, and received its current name in 2014.
It offers, among other things, 20 bachelor's degree programmes and eight master's degree programmes.
The day after the visit to Lillehammer, the delegation continued to the Blæstad campus.
"We're here because we are trying to open new doors. We have already opened some doors towards Central Europe, but not so much in Scandinavia, where there are other opportunities. We came here to learn and create new contacts for the future," says Smirnov.