The agreement, signed today on UiA’s Kristiansand campus, commits the two parties to closer cooperation on education, research, innovation, and competence development. The ambition is to reinforce Agder’s position as one of Norway’s leading regions for technology and energy.
“By linking world class industrial environments with strong academic expertise, this agreement creates new opportunities for innovation, access to the right competence, and continued development of the regional business sector,” says Knut Mjåland, CEO of GCE NODE.
The partnership outlines several areas of collaboration, including
- student internships and placements in NODE companies
- bachelor’s and master’s theses connected to industry challenges
- continuing education tailored to industry needs
- joint research and innovation projects
- development of larger national and international initiatives
UiA Rector Sunniva Whittaker emphasizes the importance of strong ties between the university and the regional business community.
“GCE NODE represents a key industry in our region. The university wants to stay close to the business sector, not only by supplying skilled graduates, but also through research collaboration and innovation. We also aim to strengthen NODE companies through continued education,” says Whittaker.
Running until 2030, the agreement is intended to bolster Agder’s position as an attractive region for knowledge driven industrial development.