Semester start for Global Development, Crisis and Change
Semester Start for Master in Global Development, Crisis and Change
Step into a world of opportunity—discover what is waiting for you as a new student at the University of Agder and our study programme!
Welcome as a new student!
We look forward to meeting you in August. The Global Development, Crisis and Change programme combines digital teaching and physical gatherings where you learn about how the environment, society, economy, and politics either promote or hinder development.
In order for master students to interact before semesterstart, we have created a closed Facebook group for the 2026-cohort. Our second year' master student Luvsan Vanjildorj is administrating the Facebook group, and he will be available to answer questions you might have during summer break.
- astrid.b.stensrud@uia.no
- Phone
- +47 38 14 14 48
- nicklas.iselvmo@uia.no
- Phone
- +47 38 14 16 35
Seminar Dinner Registration
From Monday, 17 August, to Friday, 21 August, there will be a mandatory in-person gathering at the university's campus in Kristiansand. The first day of the start-up seminar, Monday 17 August, will include a welcome dinner for students and staff at Mother India restaurant in Kristiansand at 18:00. Please sign up for dinner here (registration deadline: 10 August).
More below about the programme 7 - 14 August.
Semester Start and Orientation
All international students are welcome to join a special orientation programme from 7 August.
The university's official semester start program begins on Monday, 10 August. For students who are present in Kristiansand, you're welcome to join all activities.
Orientation programme
Welcome programme for all new international students starting their studies at UiA.
- Time: 7 August, 10:00 - 15:00
- Location: Campus Kristiansand, B1 018
The orientation programme is relevant for international students moving to Norway for the first time.
Opening ceremony
Welcome to official opening of the semester at Plenen (the lawn) at Campus Kristiansand, 10 August at 10.00. See the whole programme here. The Faculty of Social Sciences will be present on the lawn — please stop by to meet your student organisation.
Mandatory registration meeting
- Time: 10 August, 10:15 - 11:00 Attendance is mandatory. Use this link to join the digital Zoom meeting.
- At the registration meeting you will receive the code to register your semester start attendance.
Tuesday 11 August
Course in Digital tools (in English)
Get to know the systems and software you’ll need as a student.
10:15-11:00: Digital tools
See also: User guides for systems and software
Evening for master's students
- When: 18:00-20:30 (Tuesday 11 August 2026)
- Where: Campus Kristiansand, Lilletunstova
- Organiser: UiA Buddy
A different kind of evening at Lilletunstova specifically for Master's students. There will be mocktails and speed dating with conversation starters to help you get to know peers at a similar stage in their studies!
Start-Up Seminar Programme
The start-up seminar is mandatory for all students starting the master's programme in Global Development, Crisis, and Change.
All days, except from Tuesday, the seminar will take place in room V3011, in the newly opened Centre of Science (Vitensenteret) just outside the University campus.
Please note that changes might occur in the programme.
Monday 17 August
Room: V3011
09.00 Welcome, Arnhild Leer-Helgesen, Head of Department Global Development and Planning
09.15 Overview of the week´s programme, Astrid Stensrud, study programme leader
09.30 Students introduce themselves
10.00 Overview of the Master's Programme Global Development, Crisis and Change, Astrid Stensrud
10.30: Break
10:45: History of the the Master’s Programme, and Teaching Philosophy, Hanne Haaland
11.15 : Introduction of department staff and tutors in the MA program
11.45 Presentation of research groups at the Department
12.15: Lunch break
13.00: Introduction to Canvas, technical Support and registration, Marielle Juveng
13.30-14.15: Online etiquette, Vito Laterza
14.15: Break
14.30: Introduction to Online Learning with Canvas, Tererai Obey Sithole
16.00: Annouce the groups
18.00: Kick-off Dinner at Mother India (restaurant in Kristiansand city centre). Sign up for dinner.
Tuesday 18 August
Location: ARKIVET Peace and Human Rights Center, Vesterveien 4
09:30 About ARKIVET Peace and Human Rights Center (Solveig Hessaa-Szwinto)
09:45 Lecture and exercise: Identity and Power (Solveig Hessaa-Szwinto)
11:00 Tour: Women of Arkivet: An Unbalanced History (Lena Sannæs, Collection Manager)
12:00 LUNCH
12:30 Lecture and tour: Methods for Diversity and Inclusion in new exhibition Chamber of Memories: Children and War (Solveig Hessaa-Szwinto)
13:15 Discussion
13:45: Group Assignment 1 (observation in city centre) by Astrid Stensrud
14:00: Group work 1
Afternoon: group work in city centre
Wednesday 19 August
Room: V3011
09.00-10.15: Group presentations of their observations
10:30-11:00: The Agder University Library, Matthias Pintsch
11.00-12.00: Academic writing and Plagiarism, Vito Laterza
12.00-12.45: Lunch
12.45-13.45: Introduction lecture to UT-410: Understanding Crisis, a conceptual approach, Astrid B. Stensrud
13.45: Group work 2: select one case/crisis, Astrid B. Stensrud
14.00-16.00: Group work
Thursday 20 August
Room: V3011
09.00-09.45: How the Strømme Foundation (development NGO) works with crisis, Anne Breivik
10.00-11.00: Panel conversation about «crisis»: Anne Breivik, Margit Ystanes, Mikaela Vasstrøm, Tererai Obey Sithole, Astrid Stensrud
Break
11.15-12.15: Presentation of the Sri Lanka Field Course, Ajith Wasantha Liyanage, Astrid Stensrud, and MA students
12.15-12.45: Lunch break
12.45: MA students: How to Succeed as a Master Student and Inter-Cultural Experience.
13.15: Experience of working with development in Uganda: former MA student Sunniva Håberg, regional representant Uganda, Caritas
13.45: Exchange possibilities, Jannik Stølen Timenes
14.15-16.00: Group work in the afternoon
Friday 21 August
Room: V3011
09.00-10.00: Last preparation of group presentations
10.00-12.00: Group presentations about crisis and case studies
12:00-12:45: Lunch
12:45-13:15: Job prospects and employability, Erna Kjensjord
13:15-13:45: Presentation of the student association of Agder (STA), Karen Elise Stenersen, leader of STA
13.45-14:00: Association of development students (PANGEA), Luvsanchultem Vanjildorj, leader of PANGEA
14:00.14:15: Presentation of The Norwegian Students' and Academics' International Assistance Fund (SAIH), Claudia van Huizen, SAIH Kristiansand
14.15: Election of new Student Representatives
14:30-15:00: Group photo and farewell
New student at UiA
Useful information for new students
Guidance and courses
We provide a wide range of courses, digital guides/courses, and personal guidance.
- Academic support and career guidance
- Essential systems and software
- University Library: literature searches, academic writing, proper source citation, and more
All about semester start at UiA
See also: Social events for students
Welcome to Kristiansand!
You've chosen a great town to be a student in!
Get to know it better: