Minister, excellencies, dear award winners, honorary doctors, colleagues, friends,
Welcome to the University Aula, to the 213th anniversary of the establishment of the University of Oslo.
Located in the heart of Oslo, between the Parliament and the Royal Palace, with the National Theatre next door, the Aula highlights the role that science, knowledge, and culture play in society. Inside we are surrounded by Edvard Munch’s monumental paintings, with The Sun symbolising enlightenment. This is a place to celebrate, to discuss, to enjoy arts and music – it is a place for new ideas to flourish, and a place to remember and reflect on our history. It is the perfect venue for our annual celebrations.
On 2 September 1811, Norway finally got its first university. It was an important step in the fight for Norwegian independence and was not achieved without struggle. It involved relentless lobbying in Copenhagen and grassroots fundraising at home. It was supported not just by the elite, but by ordinary citizens who understood that a strong national university was essential for our independence, for our cultural identity, and for progress in society.
So. Every year on 2 September, we honour the free pursuit of knowledge by celebrating academic achievements and people who have made outstanding efforts in our academic community. Let me extend an extra warm welcome and congratulations to our prize-winners and to our new honorary doctors.
The creation of honorary doctors is an institutional celebration at the University of Oslo, dating back to 1902. It connects scientists, thinkers, and artists worldwide. Our honorary doctors have contributed with knowledge, curiosity, and creativity to enlighten their field and strengthen the global academy. Academic cooperation unleashes creativity, but it also fosters mutual understanding, and it helps to build trust across national borders and cultural divides.
I think it is safe to say that we could use more of that – at present.
International influence and collaboration have always been key to the development of this university. Our first doctoral candidate, Frederik Holst, spent considerable time studying and doing research abroad. Needless to say, he brought invaluable knowledge back to Norway. His work laid the foundation for significant reforms in Norway’s psychiatric care and prison systems. These changes dramatically improved the lives of some of the most disadvantaged people at the time.
Norway and the rest of the world have, of course, changed dramatically since 1811, but the internationally oriented university remains equally important to society today. This doesn't imply that universities are unchanging or shouldn’t change. The University of Oslo has been constantly evolving for 213 years and must continue to do so. The rapid global changes we witness today put universities under tremendous pressure. This challenges the modus operandi, and I believe that universities must stay in the front seat and drive the change rather than simply being changed by others.
When we drive the change ourselves, we do this while firmly adhering to the key values of a university: academic freedom, institutional autonomy, open discussions without fear of retaliation, international collaboration.
When I took on the role as rector seven years ago, the public discourse and political expectation of universities was characterised by the sustainable development goals, open science, and the need for boundless collaboration to meet global challenges. Now, the political expectations are increasingly influenced by geopolitical changes that we already see is cooling down an open and collaborative knowledge universe.
We should not be na?ve, but it is important that we don’t allow universities to be reduced to mere instruments for other societal goals and political priorities. There are increasingly strong forces in our societies that wish to push universities from being extroverted institutions that think openly and inclusively – to becoming introverted entities focused on national priorities, addressing immediate and narrower local needs. Equally worrying is the increased pressure on academic freedom that has been documented in a large part of the world, also in Europe.
Researchers should be free to pose their questions, choose their methods, select their collaborators wherever they work, and publish their results freely without fear of attacks and retaliation. This is the bedrock of a university – and of a democratic knowledge-based society. I have – and we should have – faith and trust in our colleagues to use their academic freedom in a responsible way.
Despite geopolitical shifts, new regulations on export control and dual use, strong voices warning against collaborations with scientists in certain countries, introduction of tuition fees for international students outside the EU, new language regulations… the University of Oslo is continuously stepping up its international game. After all, only 0.6 per cent of the world’s research-based knowledge is produced in Norway. This country clearly needs access to the remaining 99.4 per cent.
Dear friends,
Education and knowledge institutions play a central role in the development and maintenance of a robust and just society.
On a huge concrete wall in Kampala there is a beautiful mural with a picture of a smiling young boy leaning over a pile of books. Besides him it says: Education is your right! I am a future leader. Don’t drop out of school.
Since 1948 the right to education has been a fundamental human right. Today, a huge number of kids and youth, in various parts of the world, are still deprived of this right. Among refugees and displaces persons, the numbers are even worse. Only 7 per cent of refugees worldwide have access to higher education.
Long-term investment in addressing the structural inequalities in the global academy is necessary and long overdue.
The last half year I’ve been both to the border region between South Sudan and Uganda, and to Ukraine, to see what meaningful contributions we as a university can make. I’ve spoken to refugees and to government officials. And I’ve also spoken to the refugee students that just came from Gaza to continue their medical education here at the University of Oslo.
The message is clear. Education will empower them to fulfil their dreams and ambitions, and to do something meaningful with their lives. NGOs and local government officials stress how access to higher education will create positive coping mechanisms in a time of crisis, and the key role higher education institutions play in rebuilding a society and maintaining stability in a society.
Supporting the development of strong knowledge institutions all over the world should be an absolute priority for universities and governments alike. It is possible to bring about change. We just have to be really stubborn about it!
The University of Oslo intends to be really stubborn about that. We have taken an initiative to establish a Global University for refugees and internally displaced people. If we are to reach the UN?s goal of providing 15 per cent of the world’s refugees access to higher education, more universities and governments need to do more. The coming year we will work with a consortium of 15 universities from 3 continents, to realise this ambition. If we are going to be successful, we clearly need to work together.
Dear all, this rectorate has been eager to see increased interaction across the university and between the university and other parts of society. And I am very happy to see that this ambition is shared by many others. A huge effort has been done to create a vibrant innovation system around our university and neighbouring institutions: Oslo Science City. We are in the process of establishing a new Centre for Global Sustainability to contribute even better to sustainability globally. Over the last five years, we have – through The Guild – been working with many of our international partners to establish long term equitable African-European Clusters of Research Excellence. And we are happy to see the strong will across the university to innovate in education – creating both new trans-disciplinary programs and regional education.
I am thankful that my colleagues at UiO aren’t just brilliant at what they do, but also passionate, compassionate, and engaged. There are some dark clouds on the horizon, but I cannot help also being optimistic when I see the many great accomplishments and initiatives that take place at the University of Oslo, some of which we celebrate today.
Dear award winners, colleagues and friends,
The quality of a university is defined by the people it consists of. We are proud to have a large and strong community of scholars and students, at home and abroad. Recognising and celebrating dedication and excellence is important to us. This is what we are doing today.
Today’s award winners, from established academics to PhD candidates and master’s students, have made impressive contributions to their fields and to society. I also suspect that all of them are grateful to their local academic community and partners. John Donne’s centuries-old poem rings true: No man is an island. The African proverb also encapsulates the essence of our academic community: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together”.
Thank you!
