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The status change from university of applied sciences to university takes effect immediately.
Proud rector
– I am extremely proud of everyone in the organisation who has contributed to us now being the University of Inland Norway.
The past few years, the university has undergone a process to strengthen itself in several areas. Among other things, we have seen significant growth in the number of academic positions, with financial support from Sparebankstiftelsen Hedmark and Innlandet County Municipality.
– There have also been challenging aspects of the process. But now we can take pride in having confirmed that we have a quality of teaching and research that is worthy of a university, says Rector Peer Jacob Svenkerud.
Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN) has demonstrated that the institution meets the requirements set for universities, as assessed according to today’s strict criteria. These criteria are more rigorous than those in place during a temporary arrangement under which several of Norway’s newest universities obtained their university status, and consequently stricter than the rules expected to apply from next year.
Long process
INN applied for university status in December 2022. The application was assessed by an expert committee appointed by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).
In June, the committee concluded that INN meets the requirements to become a university, and on 12 September, NOKUT's board decided that INN can receive university accreditation.
– Being a university does not bring entirely new requirements and expectations, but it is a confirmation of good quality in research and education, and will strengthen us in international competition for research funding, stated Chairperson Maren Kyllingstad to inn.no following the board's deliberation at NOKUT.
The signs will not be changed overnight
Although we are now formally a university, we will continue to call ourselves Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences for a period until new signs and letterheads are in place.
– The new status brings with it a number of practical changes that will take time to implement, but staff are very welcome to start saying they work at a university as of today, says Svenkerud.
Celebrations
This is a significant and historic day, which will, of course, be celebrated both immediately and on several occasions going forward.
The university will be posting updates and sharing highlights from the celebrations across our channels – stay tuned!
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Contact
- peer.svenkerud@inn.no
- Phone
- +47 62 43 04 06