Dean of the Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, Jørgen Berge, emphasised that Indigenous knowledge about the Arctic will be an important part of student and researcher training in the UiT course Arctic Future Pathfinders in August and September, which is part of the One Ocean expedition.
50 ambassadors visited UiT
A delegation of ambassadors from countries across all continents recently visited UiT in Tromsø. There, they gained insight into sustainable societal development in the Arctic and international research on Indigenous peoples.
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Publisert: 04.04.25 14:55
Oppdatert: 07.04.25 09:29
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A delegation of 50 ambassadors visited UiT’s campus in Tromsø on 3 April. They represented countries in both Europe and other continents.
The ambassadors were welcomed to by Rector Dag Rune Olsen. In his opening remarks, he emphasised that knowledge can serve as a driving force for sustainable societal development in Northern Norway. He highlighted that UiT plays a key role as a provider of research-based solutions in the green transition.
In this context, he believes there is significant potential in the collaboration between business, industry and academia in the Arctic regions of Norway, Sweden, and Finland, particularly in relation to the export of energy and raw materials.
"We want to contribute to the development of the northern regions. How can we ensure that this becomes a just transition? The insight needed to carry out the transition must be based on knowledge and science. UiT is here to accelerate, assist, and facilitate this transition. We can also provide guidance for political decision-making processes," said Olsen.
What happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic. We are all connected through the world's oceans.
Delegation with 50 ambassadors
- The delegation visited Tromsø from 2 to 4 April.
- The visit was part of an annual study trip for ambassadors stationed in Oslo, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- In addition to visiting UiT's campus in Tromsø, the delegation participated in tours of Polaris, the Coast Guard vessel KV Hopen, and the research vessel Kronprins Håkon.
- They also received briefings on the operations of Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) and the seafood industry in Northern Norway.
- The aim of the study trip is to foster understanding of Norwegian interests and political priorities in the Arctic.
- Five themes were emphasised in the programme, aligned with the focus areas of Norway's leadership in the Arctic Council: oceans, climate and environment, sustainable economic development, and people in the north.
Olsen emphasised that higher education serves as a driving force for a just and green transition. For him, this also means that higher education in the north must be based on internationalisation, with exchanges and research collaboration across borders. Olsen pointed out that it is particularly important for the challenges related to climate change to be anchored in international cooperation.
"What happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic. We are all connected through the world's oceans," he added.
Associate Professor of Political Science Jonas Stein continued the discussion on societal development in the north.
He addressed how tensions between central and peripheral regions have largely shaped Northern Norway as a region. According to him, leading political forces in the capitals of Nordic countries have gradually, over a long period, adjusted their policies for societal development in Northern Norway in ways that have created positive ripple effects.
He particularly highlighted the establishment of universities in the Arctic regions of Norway, Sweden, and Finland as a key factor in fostering increased urbanisation and population growth.
International research on indigenous peoples
Professor of Indigenous Studies, Torjer Andreas Olsen, led a panel discussion that shed light on how both the struggle for rights and research on Indigenous peoples share many parallels across large parts of the world. Olsen believes that UiT has an international responsibility to ensure that research and education on Sámi culture and rights are conducted.
The panel participants discussed how research in law, health, language, and culture contributes to Indigenous peoples being recognised on an international level.
UiT researcher Inga Dagsvold highlighted that the Sámi share much in common with Indigenous peoples in New Zealand, Greenland, and Canada, particularly in how assimilation and oppression have left marks on physical and mental health. Another UiT researcher, Endalew Lijalem Enyew, explained how the green transition creates conflicts between mining actors and Indigenous peoples' collective rights worldwide.
Professor Hilde Sollid described UiT's ongoing efforts to implement language education and preserve both Sámi and Kven languages, noting that Indigenous peoples worldwide face similar challenges. She emphasised that in this context, UiT is leading the development of AI programmes for Sámi languages.
Breder Eder Murberg from the Sámi Student Association explained the work being done at UiT to amplify Sámi voices. He also emphasised the importance of facilitating greater use of Sámi languages. An important platform could then be True North 2026, on the occasion of Tromsø being the European Youth Capital in 2026.
The 50 ambassadors also had the opportunity to experience Sámi music and art. Máret Áile Gaup performed her own songs, and Associate Professor of Art History, Ingeborg Høvik, presented the artwork "Historja" by Britta Marakatt-Labba.
Kortnytt fra Seksjon for internasjonalt samarbeid, Senter for fredsstudier (CPS), Senter for samiske studier, Fakultet for biovitenskap, fiskeri og økonomi
