"I want to be a dean who works for education quality. This means placing wellbeing, teaching quality and UiA identity at the heart of the university. Wellbeing and a safe community are important, and a prerequisite for learning. At the same time, I am passionate about facilitating for lecturers and researchers, so that together we can develop strong academic environments," says Gjærde.
Gjærde previously served as dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). She is educated as an engineer in physics and holds a doctorate in electrical power engineering from NTNU.
Before this, Gjærde served as secretary general of the Norwegian Polytechnic Society, Norway's oldest forum for public debate, and director of the Nordic Council of Ministers. She has also worked in Denmark at companies such as Ørsted/DONG Energy and Danish Energy and as a researcher at SINTEF.
Being new in the role, Gjærde will spend time getting to know the faculty's staff and students.
"I wish to listen to what works well and where there is potential for improvement. My door will always be open, and I hope for a good and constructive dialogue and interaction with staff, students and the other faculties at UiA," she says.
Strengthening the UiA identity
The new dean has a clear ambition to strengthen UiA's position as an attractive institution for students, staff and partners. She is already impressed by the unique position the university holds in the region.
"We must maintain our strong connections with industry partners and the working world. This is an obvious area to further build upon," she says.
She emphasizes the importance of being proud of one's educational institution and workplace.
"I want students and staff to feel a strong UiA identity while they are here, but also after they have left the institution," says Gjærde.
Research culture
Gjærde wants to see a research culture that goes hand in hand with teaching. She has already been introduced to several research projects from faculty's research groups and is looking forward to becoming even more acquainted with the academic activities at the faculty.
"It is important that research addresses key societal challenges, such as those in the fields of energy and health. In these areas, artificial intelligence and automation will be central," she believes.
"We also need knowledge about nature and coastal zones to understand climate change and ensure clean fjords and seas in the future. I could list even more topics and areas because the activity at the faculty is impressive. I look forward to continuing these exciting developments with all the incredibly talented people we have at the faculty," she says.