Higher Education and Research: Visions and Challenges in perspectives of the High North

Minister of Education and Research Øystein Djupedals speech at the conference " Russian - Norwegian Cooperation in Business Studies", hosted by  Bodø University College and Baltic State Technical University, 18.09.06 in St Petersburg.

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to take part in this mile-stone conference on Russian – Norwegian Cooperation in Business Studies, focusing on visions and challenges in perspectives of the High North! This is my first visit to St Petersburg, and the city does not fail to impress me. The beauty and wealth of this city are overwhelming, telling us a story of courage, skills and determination. But this city is not all about artefacts. St. Petersburg is, and has always been, a European centre of education, science and techno-logical innovation.

We are now at the doorstep of a new era in the High North, and we are in the process of making ideas and visions a reality. My vision for the High North is to make this region world leading in the management of human resources and development of cut-ting-edge research. The High North is located on the top of the world, and that is also where it should be in education and research. We now have the opportunity to make it right from the start.

Clear goals and a good plan are essential elements for developing strategies for knowledge and competence. One basic understanding in order to succeed, I believe, is to acknowledge the importance of inter-national cooperation. The Knowledge Society is not confined within state borders; it is a virtual constellation transcending nationality. This makes it more challenging for national decision makers to influence.

International cooperation is a cornerstone in our national strategy for developing knowledge and competence. We participate in international cooperation because we gain from it, but also because we would like to contribute to the general development of knowledge. It promotes high quality in education and research. In an ideal world it is a win-win game, with everybody benefiting from an improved global knowledge base.

Whatever you do, communication is a keyword. In the global Knowledge Society young people, and adults alike, need competencies in foreign languages, with a good understanding of cultural diversity. I am sure you are all aware of the fact that failed communication is the source of many unsuccessful business projects. The importance of communication was clearly recognised by the Pomor traders in ancient days; they even developed their own language, “russenorsk”.

St Petersburg in itself is a good example of what you can achieve with international cooperation, when you have fixed goals and a long term plan for implementation. Peter the Great was determined to modernise Russia, and he realized that international contacts and foreign ideas would be useful. The young Peter went abroad in order to learn firsthand new skills, and no less important, to immerse him-self with an open-mind into other cultures.

Later Italian architects were consulted, and Dutch shipbuilders invited to Russia. Actually, one of the Tsar’s most important advisors in maritime affairs, the Dutch sailor Cornelius Cruys, was born Niels Olsen in Stavanger, Norway. Cruys later became admiral in the Russian Navy, an intriguing episode in Russian-Norwegian relations.

This dynamic mixture of Russian visionary leader-ship and foreign impulses turned out to be a recipe for success. Out of some foggy swamps this wonderful city of St Petersburg was erected, testifying to the ability of Russian workmanship. If you are looking for best practice – this is it!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

The High North is a main priority on the political agenda of my government. Time has come for this region, and I believe Russia and Norway will be the driving forces in the years ahead. Together we now have the opportunity to make the High North the dynamo of development in a number of areas.

I am happy to note that there is already a well established cooperation between the Russian Federation and Norway in the area of higher education and re-search. The Kirkenes Declaration of 1993 was a turning point in the High North, opening up borders making networking and cooperation possible – once more. As you know, before the October Revolution the Pomor Trade blossomed in the Barents Region. Now, with the development of oil and gas resources in the Barents Sea, we are entering a new phase in our relationship. There is no reason to deny the importance of Shtokman, but there is much more to our cooperation than this gas field.

One important aspect is represented by the Nansen International Environmental and Remote Sensing Centre, which I visited earlier today. The Centre is an excellent example of successful international co-operation, and exemplifies several sides of international cooperation, especially in the High North, that are considered central in Norwegian research policy.

First of all, the Nansen Centre focuses on climate and environmental change in the Arctic region, which are among the research areas of priority in our research policy. We are both large oil and gas exporters, and therefore we both have an important responsibility related to climate and environmental change.

In regard to quality, the Nansen Centre in St. Petersburg has definitely delivered impressive results! The Centre participated in a project that was awarded the European Union’s prestigious research prize, the Descartes Prize, in 2005. On top of it all, the Centre is placed here in St. Petersburg. This is very positive, since Russia is one of the countries we wish to see increased cooperation with.

In order to secure sustainable development in a very fragile environment we must make sure education and research become an integral part of the development of the High North. Education and research are in my view essential, if we are to be good keepers of the treasures of the region. Oil and gas industries must operate in a way not endangering fisheries and the marine environment, contributing to the general welfare of the population.

The High North and the Artic also give us valuable information about the general state of the Earth, for instance the impact and influence of global climate change. Science is the key to the future, making sure we to the best of our knowledge and abilities are doing what is right for not only for the High North, but for all mankind.

Indeed, the cooperation between the Baltic State Technical University and Bodø University College is a good example of the sustainability of Russian – Norwegian relations. Doing business is an important form for human interaction, and at its best every-body is benefiting. Trade will always be an important aspect of bilateral relations, and studying how to do it right is certainly something to be encouraged. Let me congratulate you on your great achievements!

The Baltic State Technical University and Bodø University College have cooperated within economics since the beginning of the 1990s, with support from the Norwegian Cooperation Programme. This programme aims to support cooperation with Russia in higher education and research. Norway has just decided that the programme will continue for another four years, as it has been very successful. One ex-ample is the collaboration between the two institutions that are our hosts today. Both education and research activities have been part of the project activities of the Cooperation Programme. Both Norwegian and Russian institutions have accumulated considerable knowledge.

One important aspect of this project is the contact with enterprises. The student exchange program and emerging research have resulted in increased involvement of cooperating institutions, establishing contacts with domestic and international business enterprises and public organizations. These contacts are not only beneficial for student exchange and re-search purposes, but also for employment of Russian graduates. All graduates have been well accepted in the business community.

Through the cooperation Russian and Norwegian institutions have become more and more aware of the strengths on both sides. The best of engineering education in Russia has been combined with the best Scandinavian traditions in business administration. This result is an innovative combination of education needed by the industrial enterprise manager in the global knowledge based economy of today.

Enterprises ask for these combined competencies. For future cooperation, we need more interdisciplinary study programs. And even better joint study programs, which the Bologna Process emphasizes. In this connection I welcome the cooperation established in the High North between Norwegian and Russian institutions, aiming at implementing recommendations from the Bologna Declaration in Russia.

Next year is the International Polar Year. One of our flagships for Norwegian polar activities is Svalbard, the archipelago almost on the North Pole. Over the last 20 years we have developed the societies there from dependence on coal based industry to cover also tourism, research and education.

In Longyear City we have established UNIS, Svalbard University Centre, and in New Ålesund we have developed a research based station for re-searchers from all over the world. Through our re-search council we finance special grants for Russian researchers who are interested in placements on Svalbard, and I am glad that Russian students choose to study at UNIS. Researchers in New Ålesund have interesting cooperation with the Research Station in Barentsburg. We have also revitalised Svalbard Science Foundation to explore cooperation and establish useful networks between researchers on Svalbard.

An increasing number of Russian students choose to study in Norway, and this is a trend Norwegian authorities would like to strengthen further. Through the Quota program about 200 Russian students yearly study in Norway on full degree program. The mobility schemes Barentsplus, north2north and Nordplus Neighbour also make it possible for Norwegian higher education institutions to host Russian students. There is also an increasing number of Norwegian students studying in Russia. Today around 150 students participated in Russian pro-grams, mostly in humanities and social sciences. I would encourage more Norwegian students and scholars to study in Russia.

In order to encourage and promote exchanges and study visits between Norwegian and Russian institutions, Norwegian universities and university colleges have established Norwegian university centres in Archangelsk and St. Petersburg. My wish is that these centres will play a significant role in strengthening and broadening cooperation in higher education and research.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

Russia and Norway have been good neighbours for more than a thousand years. Unfortunately, in the last century a great number of opportunities were lost. Together we now face a great number of different challenges, and in my view education and re-search will be decisive in the future development. My vision is to make the High North a region characterized by knowledge and competence, where sustainability is our guiding star.

The High North is an area of big contrasts, from the missing daylight during winter to the white nights of summer. My hope is that we can become inspired by the Northern Lights, making the High North the land of opportunity and progress.

Thank you.