In the current issue of Forskerforum we can read that there is disagreement about innovation in the UiO life science initiative. Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation, Per Morten Sandset, believes that more innovation should come from UiO's research, while former UiO board member and professor at the faculty, Kristian Gundersen, said that the quest for more commercialization is worrisome.
I think both are right! On Monday, the faculty management held our first dialogue meeting with the new Rectorate. Not surprisingly, there are great expectations for MN and I was asked about the faculty's research goals and strategy. After first avoiding the question because we are entering a strategy process, I answered that at the MN faculty we have two goals for our research: more world-leading research and more research to address major societal challenges.
Basic research and its intrinsic value
Just like art and culture, basic research has an intrinsic value it should not be necessary to defend. This has been understood by the Norwegian parliament and in the University and Higher Education Act, research and artistic work are equated. At MN we have an ambitious but realistic goal of strengthening our international position. We will be among Europe's most attractive places for research and education in science and technology. To achieve this, we must support and develop faculty and research groups that can become world-leading basic research environments.
Innovation and societal benefits
Innovation is a term that has come into the university camps in recent years, and the university board has subscribed to the following definition: "Innovations are new or substantially improved goods, services, processes, organizational or marketing models that are used to achieve societal benefits, including value creation." Thus, innovation at UiO means that research should benefit society, but it does not mean that commercialization should be an important task for all researchers at UiO. At the same time, I know that there are many researchers at MN and other parts of the university who want to address societal challenges, and of course we will also support this.
In a few weeks, MN has a board seminar and kick-off for work on the strategy we are going to develop in the next few months. I'm sure everyone who participates can chew gum while walking, and at the same time will see new opportunities for how to reach our goals and become even better.