StInn and international students
Here you will find information regarding StInn's opinions and proposals on student rights for international students who study at the University of Inland Norway (INN).
1. Student groups in the platform
The politics within this platform is regarding immigrating exchange students at INN and emigrating exchange students from INN in other institutions outside of Norway.
2. The right to education
International students are among the most vulnerable groups of students we have. They all travel to a foreign country where the degree to participate in society is affected by the language skills in the country they reside in.
International students are at risk of experiencing loneliness and have a more difficult time connecting at their campuses. They might therefore require more follow-up during their stay. StInn is to act as a link between the international students and INN in situations where it is deemed necessary. This includes Norwegian exchange students at INN and international students at INN.
International students are to be included on equal footing as national students in social, cultural, work, economic, political, academic and work-related instances both in Norway and outside (see chapter 3).
StInn maintains that there shall be an equal academic offer for both national and international students within the University of Inland Norway and other educational institutions in Norway.
3. Chapter regarding equality: social, cultural, economic, political and academic instances
3.1 Social
StInn is of the opinion that international students should have ample opportunity to receive information regarding events around their campuses. Information given, should be available in English.
More events and associations on the campuses with international students are to be held in English,but should remain open to all students at HINN so that a collected student population is able to be present.
The buddy arrangement for the international and other students at HINN should be united, and necessary funding should be allocated. This solution includes all students at HINN and the buddy week will be equally giving for everyone who participate.
3.2 Cultural
StInn’s opinion is that there should be work put in to ensure that the public, among others the municipality and other collaboration partners like SINN, arrange events with good opportunity for participation by international students. This should apply both on campus and nearby locations. These events are to be designed to create and maintain a united student population consisting of international and national students.
3.3. Economic
StInn believes in developing opportunities to ensure that international students have the same financial opportunities as national students.
3.4. Political
StInn believes that students should have the right and opportunity to engage in democratic processes and human rights issues.
Freedom of speech should apply to all students, both outgoing and incoming. Continuous efforts should be made to ensure that international students have the opportunity to participate in both social and political life.
3.5. Academic
StInn believes that there should be equal quality in education between international and national students. Therefore, it is important that they are met with the same standards as other students. This means that students must be understood by those they encounter in an educational setting, such as fellow students, lecturers, and other staff at INN. This should apply both inside and outside the classroom, and for both incoming and outgoing exchange students at INN.
StInn believes that more courses should be offered in English at INN and made available for international students. Lecturers teaching these courses should be able to conduct their teaching in English. Limited or no Norwegian language proficiency should not be a limiting barrier for students on exchange at INN.
4. Exam
StInn believes that information about exams and exam procedures should be equally accessible and understandable for all students at the Inland University of Applied Sciences; Both international and national.
The opportunity to take a resit exam should be the same for both national and international students taking exams at INN and in Norway. If an exchange student from INN fails a course, the option to take a resit exam should be available at the earliest opportunity. Information about any possible resit exams should be provided before departure for exchange. In instances where resit exam arrangements are not available, efforts should be made to find alternative solutions on a case-by-case basis.
5. Visa and necessary documents
StInn believes that information about visas and other necessary documentation should be available on the university's website so that international students can obtain study permits in and outside of Norway in an easy and efficient manner. Not finding information about what is required before departure should not be a barrier to the opportunity to go on exchange.
StInn believes that the various educational institutions should follow up with their own exchange students and provide them with all the necessary information well in advance of departure. In addition, the various educational institutions should ensure that incoming exchange students have the information they need to start their studies with them.
6. Virtual exchange and mixed learning
StInn believes that virtual exchange should be used as part of the internationalisation process but should not completely replace physical teaching. It should be used as an alternative to increase international access to otherwise unavailable educational resources. At the same time, provisions should be made for students to complete parts or the entirety of their education as international outgoing or incoming students.
To ensure this, access to good English translations of large parts of INN's setup and structure, both at the organisational and academic level, must be secured through resource allocation from INN.
7. Foreign language proficiency in education and other support tools
StInn believes that there should be an improvement in foreign language proficiency at INN. The foreign language skills at many educational institutions in Norway are of such low quality that it is very difficult for many non-native speakers to navigate through most systems and websites, as well as to keep up with lectures and seminars.
Therefore, it is important that the Ministry of Education, the country's educational institutions, and student welfare organisations allocate funds to enhance the competence of their staff in all forums, especially those directly assisting vulnerable students, such as counselling services and exam offices.
StInn believes that INN should allocate resources to ensure that all information in English is equivalent to the corresponding information in Norwegian.
StInn also believes that SINN should do the same. This applies especially to crisis information such as counselling and mental health teams, but also to events.
7.1. Ranking of importance for translation
- INN and StInn websites
- Information on Canvas
- Information screens around campus
- Events and posters
- Any other places deemed necessary
8. International collaboration partners
StInn, together with our international collaboration partners, shall ensure good exchange procedures and arrangements. This includes maintaining regular contact with the various partners and following up on the established exchange procedures and arrangements. INN should use its partners to develop its own competence and help its partners do the same.
8.1. Collaboration partners
The different collaboration partners include, but are not limited to:
- The Namibia Association
- SAIH (Students and academics international relief fund)
- Inland University of Applied Science
- Emerge (European Margins engaging for regional and global Empowerment)
9. Sustainability
StInn believes that sustainability must be supported and worked on globally. It is important to encourage the use of climate-friendly modes of transportation as much as possible. This should not hinder exchange programs.
At the same time, StInn believes that the development and implementation of virtual tools should be supported to reduce the future need for travel. This aims to reduce emissions from flights and other major sources of pollution.
Internationalization, sustainability, environment, and climate should be compatible with each other. StInn should support this and follow global recommendations.
10. Students and scholars at risk
StInn believes that educational institutions in Norway must facilitate the acceptance of more students. StAR (Students at Risk) and SAR (Scholars at Risk) must be further developed and then made permanent to provide a safe education for students and researchers in vulnerable countries.
11. Validity of degrees
StInn believes there should be more flexibility in recognising education from abroad that differs from Norwegian education. Approval and authorisation processes upon graduation must be standardised, with qualitative ranking indicators forming the basis for such evaluations.
INN must create and maintain information platforms where students can familiarise themselves with formal requirements for authorisation and recognition. When requirements change, this should not affect students who have already started a program that was approved at the time of enrollment. Where discrepancies are significant, efforts should be made to address this through further education and additional courses.
12. Refugees
StInn believes that refugees and asylum seekers residing in Norway should have the opportunity to pursue higher education. If a refugee or asylum seeker has started studies outside of Norway and wishes to continue their education in Norway, provisions should be made to facilitate this. INN, other educational institutions, and the Ministry of Education should ensure that refugees and asylum seekers can apply for relevant internships.
Educational institutions and internship providers should offer relevant work training, language training, and support for further studies or participation in academia.
Furthermore, StInn believes that refugees who have come to Norway and completed their education here should have the right to work in Norway.
13. Tuition fees
StInn supports the principle of free education and believes that all education in Norway should be free, regardless of one's background.
StInn does not support the introduction of tuition fees for international students.
14. Crisis assistance
StInn believes that educational institutions are responsible for their students even when they are on exchange. Exchange students should be guaranteed the same level of assistance and crisis help as students in Norway.
Developing effective emergency plans is important, and institutions should do this in collaboration with other relevant partners in the sector.
Furthermore, it should be ensured that students who may not have the same support network from their home institutions receive assistance from their host institutions.
15. Exchange from INN
StInn believes that INN should make exchange programs an attractive experience for students and encourage them to participate during their studies.
StInn believes that all students going on exchange from INN, should have the same offers and opportunities as students at INN in Norway. They should have the same requirements for participating in academic, social, and political activities.
If there is a lack of offerings, StInn believes that INN should provide alternatives for the affected students.
StInn believes that exchange students should have a channel/platform to contact if they feel that the work of the international office is not optimal. This should also be highlighted before they go on exchange so that they are aware of this option from the start of their stay.
StInn believes it is important for INN to maintain regular communication with its partner universities so that Norwegian students on exchange from INN receive the support and follow-up they need to successfully complete their exchange.
The policies mentioned throughout this platform should also apply to students on exchange from INN. StInn believes that international students at INN should be supported at the same level, whether they are incoming or outgoing students from INN.