Eight research environments will collectively receive NOK 769 million and be awarded status as Centres for Research-driven Innovation (SFI). This was announced by the Research Council of Norway on 15 December.
“If we are to move Norway forward, we must develop new knowledge, adopt new technology and strengthen cooperation between research and industry. The new SFIs will be extremely important in this work in the years ahead,” said Minister of Research and Higher Education Sigrun Aasland in the press release.
The University of Agder is participating as a partner in two of these centres.
The engineers of tomorrow
The Centre for Effective Engineering and Learning in Complex Systems (CELECT) will develop new methods for product development in complex systems, particularly within the defence, aerospace, maritime and manufacturing sectors. The aim is to strengthen competitiveness and create green jobs in Norway.
Facts
The Centre for Personalized Digital Health Promotion is led by Paolo Zanaboni at the Norwegian Centre for E-health Research, University Hospital of North Norway.
Partners:
- SINTEF
- UiT The Arctic University of Norway
- NTNU
- Nord University
- UiA
- 7 Norwegian companies
- 4 partners from the public sector
The Centre for Effective Engineering and Learning in Complex Systems (SFI-CELECT) is led by Kristin Falk at the University of South-Eastern Norway. The centre has been awarded NOK 256 million.
Partners:
- NTNU
- UiA
- Norwegian Defence Research Establishment
- 14 Norwegian companies
- 5 municipalities and county authorities, and other public-sector partners
- 3 international research institutions
“I believe this centre will make a significant difference. From the education choices young people are making today, we can see that there will be fewer engineers in the future. At the same time, the systems they will work with are becoming more complex,” says Associate Professor Daniel Hagen at the Department of Engineering Sciences.
The centre will involve more than 30 PhD positions and 120 master’s degree projects. Six of the PhD positions are allocated to the University of Agder – four funded by the Research Council of Norway and two funded by UiA itself.
“One of the unique aspects of CELECT is its focus on researcher training with close links to industry through the INRESCOS research school, combined with strengthening engineering education in Norway,” says Professor Michael Rygaard Hansen at the same department.
“Artificial intelligence will help engineers do more with less – and faster. This is how we can develop the next generation of sustainable systems,” says Professor Linga Reddy Cenkeramaddi at the Department of Information Security and Communication Technology.
Sustainable healthcare
The Centre for Personalized Digital Health Promotion will develop digital solutions for personalised guidance on health and lifestyle. The aim is to prevent lifestyle-related diseases and contribute to a more sustainable healthcare system. The solutions will be made available via Helsenorge.
“We hope to help make it easier to make good health choices and reduce health inequalities,” says Elin Thygesen.
She heads the Centre for eHealth at UiA, which is responsible for efforts to involve users and make digital tools accessible to more people.