University college reform
Encyclopedia
The University college reform was a reform
throughout Norway
where 98 smaller college
s were transformed into 26 larger university college
s from 1 August 1994. In addition a number of fine art
educations were merged to two National Academies of the Arts, in Oslo and in Bergen.
their own university college, except for the two Agder
counties, who shared one. Some counties have more than one, with Møre og Romsdal
and Nordland
topping with three each. The university colleges were given the main responsibility for training nurses, teacher
s, preschool teachers, engineer
s and business administrators. In addition a number of other tasks were included in the colleges portfolio.
The goal of the reform, that was initiated by the then Minister of Education, Gudmund Hernes
from the Labour Party
, was to effectivate the operations at the colleges through economy of scale. Herned had led the public committee that in 1988 had launched the idea of merging and co locating the colleges. The idea was to use teaching resources dedicated to academic administration
instead to be used for teaching and research.
An evaluation of the reform after five years concluded that reform had not succeeded and that the resulting more efficient operations came from lower state subsidies instead of more efficient operations. It also showed that the reform gave the educational personnel more administrative work.
was created in Trondheim
after a merger of the Norwegian Institute of Technology
and the University of Trondheim, reducing the number of public colleges and universities in Trondheim from thirteen to two.
From 2005 university colleges were allowed to convert into universities
if they met certain requirements. So far both Stavanger University College and Agder University College
have converted (to the University of Stavanger
and the University of Agder, respectively). Also Bodø
, Buskerud
, Telemark
, Vestfold
, Hedmark
, Lillehammer
and Gjøvik
have announced that they wish to convert to universities, either by themselves or through mergers. Tromsø University College
ceased to exist in 2009 as it was incorporated into the University of Tromsø
.
Reform
Reform means to put or change into an improved form or condition; to amend or improve by change of color or removal of faults or abuses, beneficial change, more specifically, reversion to a pure original state, to repair, restore or to correct....
throughout Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
where 98 smaller college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
s were transformed into 26 larger university college
University college
The term "university college" is used in a number of countries to denote college institutions that provide tertiary education but do not have full or independent university status. A university college is often part of a larger university...
s from 1 August 1994. In addition a number of fine art
Fine art
Fine art or the fine arts encompass art forms developed primarily for aesthetics and/or concept rather than practical application. Art is often a synonym for fine art, as employed in the term "art gallery"....
educations were merged to two National Academies of the Arts, in Oslo and in Bergen.
Goal and result
The reform gave each countyCounties of Norway
Norway is divided into 19 administrative regions, called counties . The counties form the primary first-level subdivisions of Norway and are further divided into 430 municipalities...
their own university college, except for the two Agder
Agder
Agder is a historical district of Norway in the southernmost region of Norway, corresponding to the two counties Vest-Agder and Aust-Agder. Today, the term Sørlandet is more commonly used.-Name:...
counties, who shared one. Some counties have more than one, with Møre og Romsdal
Møre og Romsdal
is a county in the northernmost part of Western Norway. It borders the counties of Sør-Trøndelag, Oppland and Sogn og Fjordane. The county administration is located in Molde, while Ålesund is the largest city.-The name:...
and Nordland
Nordland
is a county in Norway in the North Norway region, bordering Troms in the north, Nord-Trøndelag in the south, Norrbottens län in Sweden to the east, Västerbottens län to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The county was formerly known as Nordlandene amt. The county administration is...
topping with three each. The university colleges were given the main responsibility for training nurses, teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
s, preschool teachers, engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
s and business administrators. In addition a number of other tasks were included in the colleges portfolio.
The goal of the reform, that was initiated by the then Minister of Education, Gudmund Hernes
Gudmund Hernes
Gudmund Hernes is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. He was the state secretary to the Secretariat for Long-Term Planning 1980-1981, Minister of Education and Research and Ministry of Church and Cultural Affairs 1990, Minister of Education, Research and Church Affairs 1991-1995 and...
from the Labour Party
Norwegian Labour Party
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Norway. It is the senior partner in the current Norwegian government as part of the Red-Green Coalition, and its leader, Jens Stoltenberg, is the current Prime Minister of Norway....
, was to effectivate the operations at the colleges through economy of scale. Herned had led the public committee that in 1988 had launched the idea of merging and co locating the colleges. The idea was to use teaching resources dedicated to academic administration
Academic administration
An academic administration is a branch of university or college employees responsible for the maintenance and supervision of the institution and separate from the faculty or academics, although some personnel may have joint responsibilities...
instead to be used for teaching and research.
An evaluation of the reform after five years concluded that reform had not succeeded and that the resulting more efficient operations came from lower state subsidies instead of more efficient operations. It also showed that the reform gave the educational personnel more administrative work.
Other processes
Two years later the Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyNorwegian University of Science and Technology
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology , commonly known as NTNU, is located in Trondheim. NTNU is the second largest of the eight universities in Norway, and, as its name suggests, has the main national responsibility for higher education in engineering and technology...
was created in Trondheim
Trondheim
Trondheim , historically, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. With a population of 173,486, it is the third most populous municipality and city in the country, although the fourth largest metropolitan area. It is the administrative centre of...
after a merger of the Norwegian Institute of Technology
Norwegian Institute of Technology
The Norwegian Institute of Technology, known by its Norwegian abbrevation NTH was a science institute in Trondheim, Norway. It was established in 1910, and existed as an independent technical university for 85 years, after which it was merged into the University of Trondheim as an independent...
and the University of Trondheim, reducing the number of public colleges and universities in Trondheim from thirteen to two.
From 2005 university colleges were allowed to convert into universities
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
if they met certain requirements. So far both Stavanger University College and Agder University College
Agder University College
University of Agder is a public university located in both Kristiansand and Grimstad, Norway. The institution was established as a University college in 1994 with the merger of six colleges and was granted its current status as a University in 2007, but its academic activity dates as far back as...
have converted (to 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...
and the University of Agder, respectively). Also Bodø
Bodø University College
The University of Nordland , previously Bodø University College, is a public university located is located in Bodø, Norway. The university is located 10 km outside the city centre...
, Buskerud
Buskerud University College
Buskerud University College is a høgskole, a Norwegian state institution of higher education established August 1, 1994 and situated in the county of Buskerud, Norway....
, Telemark
Telemark University College
Telemark University College is the fourth largest university college in Norway. The University College has about 5000 students. It is split between four different locations. The campuses are located in Bø, Notodden, Porsgrunn and Rauland.-Hierarchy:The university college is organised into four...
, Vestfold
Vestfold University College
Vestfold University College is a university college, a Norwegian state institution of higher education, in the county of Vestfold, Norway. The university college's campuses were formerly located in Borre and Eik. From 2010 the whole university college was colocated at Campus Bakkenteigen in Horten...
, Hedmark
Hedmark University College
Hedmark University College is a høgskole, a Norwegian state institution of higher education, in the county of Hedmark, Norway. The college's four campuses are located in Hamar, Elverum, Åmot and Stor-Elvdal...
, Lillehammer
Lillehammer University College
Lillehammer University College is a Norwegian state-run university college located at Storhove in Lillehammer. It was established in 1971 as Oppland College and took its current form in 1995. It is located in the television and radio center built for the 1994 Winter Olympic Games...
and Gjøvik
Gjøvik University College
Gjøvik University College is a høgskole, a Norwegian state institution of higher education, in the town of Gjøvik, Norway. It was established August 1, 1994, and has approximately 2600 students and 280 employees....
have announced that they wish to convert to universities, either by themselves or through mergers. Tromsø University College
Tromsø University College
Tromsø University College was a university college located in Tromsø, Norway with programs within health care, engineering, business administration, teaching and music, dance and drama...
ceased to exist in 2009 as it was incorporated into the University of Tromsø
University of Tromsø
The University of Tromsø is the world's northernmost university. Located in the city of Tromsø, Norway, it was established in 1968, and opened in 1972. It is one of eight universities in Norway. The University of Tromsø is the largest research and educational institution in northern Norway...
.