Ivar Langen has been the rector

Rector

The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...

 at the University of Stavanger

University of Stavanger

The University of Stavanger is located in Stavanger, Norway and has about 8,500 students and 1200 administration, faculty and service staff. It is organised in three faculties, including two national centres of expertise. It includes 107 professors, and more than 150 of the academic staff hold...

 since 2003. He was a central figure in the campaign to gain university status for Stavanger University College, which was awarded in 2005.

Langen has been a professor

Professor

A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...

 of Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering

Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...

since 1994. In 1997, he founded the Centre for Maintenance and Asset Management, and from 2000 to 2003, he was the vice dean of the School of Science and Technology at Stavanger University College. Langen also serves on the board of directors of the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers and was president of the organisation from 2002 to 2003.