The University Board convened for two days on 6 and 7 March. A new board member was present at the meeting.
Trine Schultz, a professor of social law at Aalborg University (AAU) and the head of the Department of Law, was appointed by the Ministry of Education as an external board member for UiA. She joins the board following the withdrawal of a previous member.
Faculty dialogues
It is of importance to the University Board to maintain a good overview and contact with UiA's faculties and Teacher Education Unit. To achieve this, the Board invited them to participate in dialogue meetings. During these sessions, each dean had the opportunity to present success stories, plans, and challenges they believed the Board could assist with.
The faculties had previously provided the Board with fact sheets containing overviews of the faculty's organisation, key figures, and academic initiatives.
7 principles for commercialising research results
UiA is committed to increasing the amount of research results that are implemented commercially outside the university. This aligns with what is expected of UiA in the proposed new act relating to universities and university colleges, reports to the Storting, and the long-term plan for research and higher education 2023-2032.
The term ‘commercialisation’ refers to the process of leveraging research-based innovation to create market-demanded products or services.
The following principles were adopted:
- Researchers should receive dedicated time, space, and incentives to contribute to the commercialisation of their research results.
- Researchers' preferences and ambitions should be considered when selecting commercialisation strategies.
- External funding should be sought as much as possible to support verification and commercialisation processes.
- UiA acknowledges external collaborations as essential in offering market-ready products and services, rather than producing and selling them directly.
- UiA maintains a positive stance toward start-up companies, while remaining cautious about participating in their establishment.
- UiA's research-driven innovation should comply with the definition of non-economic activity specified in the state aid regulations.
- Students should be actively involved in commercialisation efforts.
These principles have undergone internal consultation and have been adopted as proposed.
Last year's financial statements
The University Board has approved the annual financial statements for 2023. Overall, UiA’s financial situation is considered satisfactory.
On a positive note, UiA received more funding for contribution and contract funded activities than budgeted. Grants from the EU also increased from NOK 9 million in 2022 to 19.6 million in 2023.
However, the high electricity prices were particularly challenging and will continue to be, as long as the price level remains high. Energy costs were NOK 37.1 million in 2023, significantly higher than in the years before 2022.
Travel expenses increased from NOK 56.3 million to 67.6 million from 2022 to 2023. However, travel activity is still lower than in 2019, the last year before the pandemic.
The overall figures are as follows:
- Operating income: NOK 2,058.3 million
- Operating expenses: NOK 2,080.1 million
- Operating result: NOK -21.8 million
The management accounts for 2023 were also approved.
Change in centre status
The research centre WISENET has held the status of a priority research centre at UiA since 2022. Recently, the Faculty of Engineering and Science requested that this status be terminated.
According to the faculty, capacity challenges have made it unrealistic to achieve the objectives outlined in the application.
As a result, the Board has withdrawn the following allocated funds:
- An unfilled post for recruitment
- 2.25 million in strategic funds for 2024
- 1 million kroner in unused strategic funds for 2022 and 2023
Distribution of doctoral research fellowships
The University Board adopted a new model and new principles for distributing research fellowships funded through UiA allocations.
- 70 per cent will be distributed to the faculties based on the number of employees in positions entailing doctoral competence
- 15 per cent will be distributed based on the faculties’ results
- 15 per cent will be distributed strategically by the University Board
The funds will go towards full-time positions for doctoral candidates or postdocs at the faculties. The model and principles will be effective from 2025.
UiA’s status
Are you curious about how UiA is currently doing? The annual reports presented to the University Board provide an excellent opportunity to explore the university's status. You can review the overall annual report proposal for UiA or delve into specific reports for different areas (refer to the agenda documents below):
- Health, Safety and Environment
- Student Ombudsperson
- Learning Environment Committee
- Appeals Committee
- Research Ethics Committee
- Language Policy Committee
- Equality
- Data Protection Officer
Other select topics
- An investment of NOK 12.15 million for the neuroscience building was approved. Investments for teaching kitchens (NOK 4.9 million) and increased server capacity (NOK 5 million) were noted for information
- The University Board received an update on the progress of the ongoing strategy process and was invited to provide their input and perspectives to guide future efforts
- Minor adjustments were made to the University Research and Innovation Committee's mandate
All agenda documents are available for review (Norwegian only)