The second university board meeting of the year was held on 12 March at the School of Business at Law on Campus Kristiansand.
The day before, the Board conducted dialogue meetings with all the faculties and the Teacher Education Unit at UiA. During these meetings, the management of each unit provided the Board with a status update and presented both the opportunities and challenges they foresee.
Green light for psychology initiative
A month ago, NOKUT conditionally approved UiA's plans to establish a professional psychology programme. The university aims to launch the programme in autumn 2026, offering 40 student places.
UiA has received substantial regional support for developing the study programme. The Development and Competence Fund and the Sørlandet Knowledge Foundation have both contributed. The contributions in the regional efforts to support the neuroscience initiative have also been important. The dialogue with supporters regarding further funding for establishment costs is ongoing.
However, the operation of the programme must be funded through new student places allocated from the national budget. Even if UiA receives funding for these places, the current rates will not cover the university's actual operating costs.
Therefore, some internal reallocations will be needed to launch the programme.
A unanimous University Board is prepared to do this.
"A focus on psychology is well-founded and vital for the region. While it might require reallocations within the university, it is evident that this initiative is crucial," said external board member Geir Bergskaug.
The Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences also received praise from board members for their excellent work and perseverance in the lead-up to accreditation.
Six recruitment positions allocated
Each year, the University Board decides on the strategic allocation of six to seven recruitment positions, which can be PhD or postdoc roles.
This time, the six available positions were allocated as follows:
- Priority Research Centre for Lifecourse Nutrition
- Priority Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR)
- The PhD programme in artistic research
- Three EU-funded projects (PAAL, RESTORE, and RECODE) received one recruitment position each
Accounts and reports for 2024
The University Board approved the accounts and annual report and acknowledged several key reports across various important areas.
Other selected matters
- More flexible continuing education for primary school teachers
- The committee responsible for determining the salaries of the rector and university director was supplemented with two new members, Trine Schultz and William Thanoothong Svendsen
All agenda documents are available for review (in Norwegian)