Strategic plan for UiT The Arctic University of Norway 2014-2020

Core values

Credibility, academic freedom, closeness, creativity and commitment shall be hallmarks of the relationship between employees, between employees and students and between UiT and its partners.

Areas of priority

UiT will help promote economic, cultural and social development in the north through building knowledge and human capital.

UiT will be at the international forefront in the following areas of knowledge:

Energy, climate, society and environment  

Understanding what happens in the Arctic is key to understanding global climate change.

UiT will develop cutting-edge knowledge on:

• Causes and effects of changes in climate and environment
• Conventional and renewable energy production
• Social adaptation to changes in climate and environment
• Indigenous peoples’ competence, the challenges indigenous
  peoples face due to climate change, and how traditional
  knowledge can contribute to Development

Technology 

In a region characterized by long distances and a challenging climate, new technological solutions are needed to deliver welfare to the people living here.

UiT will develop cutting-edge knowledge on:

• Technological solutions that promote broad and inclusive social development and a diverse business development in the north
• Technology that solves challenges related to health, the external environment and safety
• Digital competence in education

Health, welfare and quality of life

Attractive communities in the north depend on the best schools, health services and other services that promote people’s quality of life.

UiT will develop cutting-edge knowledge on:

• Public health, preventing and curing disease and improving living conditions for all age groups
• Childhood and learning
• Technological, legal and other societal solutions for the welfare
  society
• Sami language, culture and quality of life
• Art and culture in and of themselves, and as elements in the development of society and business

Community development and democratisation

Society development and democratization rely on inclusion of the entire population through education, work, involvement and a feeling of belonging.

UiT will demonstrate its global engagement through e.g. collaboration with institutions of research and education in the South.

UiT will develop cutting-edge knowledge on:

• The competence requirements of the welfare state, and high-
  quality vocational studies
• Societal and cultural changes stemming from globalization and
  from technological, demographic, social, legal, and economic development
• The basis for collaboration and potential conflicts in the
  High North
• The promotion of culture and identity through research, dissemination and art
• Gender equality in the context of regional, national and global Development

Sustainable use of resources

Economic growth in the north is based on the continued (and increasing) use of natural resources.

UiT will develop cutting-edge knowledge on:

• The interaction between traditional and new industries pertaining
  to economics, culture and international law
• Sustainable use of marine resources, including (but not limited to) fisheries, aquaculture and marine biotechnology
• Prerequisites for sustainable resource management and development

 General strategies

Engaging and relevant study programmes

UiT will offer research-based education of the highest international quality standards. The university’s shall offer a broad and diverse study programme portfolio.  

1. UiT will develop new tools to promote excellence in teaching and education.

2. UiT will increase the use of technologies aimed at promoting learning, and shall implement the use of digital examination forms
3. UiT will make use of flexible and web-based teaching in order to make its programmes accessible off campus
4. UiT will be a national leader in teacher education
5. UiT will develop its programme portfolio and education quality in dialogue with students and external partners
6. UiT’s programmes of study will provide the students with relevant knowledge about Sami culture. 
7. UiT will offer attractive study programmes and quality-assured exchange programmes in order to strengthen the quality of the programmes and promote recruitment of students.

UiT will provide its students with a good and creative learning environment, with infrastructure that makes the institution an attractive educational institution.

1. UiT will increase the recruitment of new students on regionally, nationally and internationally, and will provide student housing at an adequate level.
2. UiT will be a national leader in student throughput, have a good and inclusive learning and study environment and facilitate a well-functioning student democracy
3. UiT will facilitate close contact between students and the business and industry community
4. UiT will have good arenas for alumni to meet.

Academic freedom and credibility – research and artistic and professional development   

UiT will be a research-driven university with researchers and research groups that are innovative and at the international research frontier in their fields.   

1. UiT will strengthen the research activities within the strategy’s thematic areas of priority, while at the same time support researchers and research groups that are internationally leading - irrespective of theme.
2. UiT will increase its external funding.
3. UiT will build knowledge and competence with international partners through education, research and artistic and professional development.
4. UiT will create robust research groups and prioritize  collaboration with partners that contribute to improving UiT’s research quality.
5. UiT will be a national leader in practice-oriented professional research.
6. UiT will have PhD programmes that are internationally competitive, of high quality and educate researchers who can meet the needs of society.
7. UiT will have research infrastructure of national interest that particularly supports the thematic areas of priority and the areas of research in which UiT is an international leader.

Creativity and commitment – innovation and dissemination 

UiT will strengthen its position and its reputation through good communication, dissemination of its work and a clear profile. UiT will be a driving force for increased innovation and business development in the High North. 

1. UiT will stimulate the development of commercially viable ideas and build robust and innovative research environments through collaboration with applied research institutes, innovative environments and the business sector.
2. UiT will use its ownership in associated institutions to achieve its strategic goals.
3. UiT will contribute to the development of a knowledge-based business and industrial sector and actively share its knowledge.
4. UiT will be recognized by a culture for active dissemination through open channels for publishing, as well as through exhibitions, journals and the media.
5. UiT will contribute to research-based knowledge that will be the basis for public debate.

Closeness and commitment – work environment and organisation

UiT will have a good working environment and an efficient, robust and flexible organisation that contributes to UiT achieving its goals.

1. UiT will have an inclusive work environment with equal opportunities in which each employee receives good professional and collegial support.
2. UiT will have a life phase-oriented human resources policy.
3. UiT will have good practices for competence and career development for its academic staff,  putting equal emphasis on education and research duties.
4. UiT will be an attractive employer offering competitive working conditions and a recruitment policy that emphasises quality.
5. UiT will facilitate increased international mobility.
6. UiT will ensure the efficiency and quality of its support services through continuous improvement processes with a broad level of involvement.
7. UiT will have the competence and capacity to realize and maintain buildings that are functional and space efficient and have good technical and IT solutions.
8. UiT will have a culture for outstanding management and employee responsibility, and promote cooperation throughout the organisation.
9. UiT will work to achieve sustainable development in all aspects of the organisation.