1 Educational and financial reforms ( St. meld 27) implication for co-operation universities and industry Anders Elverhøi University of Oslo/Department of geology

2 Seminar aims - main emphasis on Establish Norway as one of the leaders within petroleum industry research: – Contributions from the universities (including some comments on NFR, funding and organisation of Norwegian research)

3 Major changes in Norwegian universities Internationalising of higher education in Europe –The Bologna Agreement. Bachelor (3 years)/Master (2 years)PhD (3 years) Bologna Agreement is the Euro of Education: –create a single European educational space –foster employability and mobility in Europe

4 Norwegian reforms (1) Norwegian higher education follows the main outline –Study programs - less individual flexibility bachelor applied aspects master, short thesis - 6 (???) months –no longer heavily research oriented “hovedfagsoppgave” Immediately consequences in Norway: –the education at universities become more similar

5 Norwegian reforms (2) Major changes in financial support to the universities: –1) basic part (56 %) –2) teaching (22 %) –3) research ( 22%) Consequences –compete for students - internationally!  close the competitive gap at home –increased amount of external funding  need for increased co-operation with industry!

6 Consequences of the changes: “bad” or “good” ? Establish Norway as one of the leaders within petroleum industry research: – Contributions from the universities

7 Norway: a leader within petroleum research International evaluation and citation –Earth sciences: high international quality best reputation in Norway ( compared with other disciplines ) Major challenges –Integration Scientific topics Universities/institutes

8 Competition internationally - not nationally Norway: –Small groups with strong individual competence - national competition International competitive –Joint and co-ordinate effort Norwegian tradition: –A common physical location not possible

9 How to ensure a successful joint effort Limited top-down decision making –i.e. Evaluation of the Research Council in Norway Industry and government have to invest in long term (5-10 years) research and education Tempting solutions with consulting works should be rather limited at universities

10 Possible solutions Partnership of petroleum sciences and technology Partners –Petroleum companies –Universities –Research institutes Research ( and education ) consortiums Sorry: We did not succeed in one “Centre of Excellence”

11 Possible solutions (2) Regional clusters One joint Norwegian PhD petroleum education –Internationally attractive

12 Conclusion (1) Will the “reform” contribute to value creation? Most likely: Yes –Stimulate to national co-operation International competitive Number of pitfalls –Short term solutions

13 Conclusion (2) Main challenge –Industry and government long-term investment in research and education Future universities more willing to industry co-operation - –this seems to be the situation for a number of reasons!