Eallju – Developing the High North:
UiT’s strategy towards 2030
UiT The Arctic University of Norway shall be an internationally leading comprehensive university. Our vision is to be a driving force in the North. The North Sámi concept eallju, meaning industriousness, sets the tone for UiT’s motive power. Together with students, staff and society at large, we shall make use of our location in the Arctic, Northern Norway and Sápmi, our academic diversity and interdisciplinary strengths, to shape the future.
The foundation of a comprehensive university extends beyond a collection of individual subjects and disciplines. The added value lies in mobilising research capacity and teaching opportunities across fields and disciplines to understand and address complex issues that cannot be illuminated by single disciplines alone. This also includes the opportunity to develop new theory and research methodology.
Geopolitical tensions, rapid technological development, and climate and environmental change shape the world today. This also includes demographic change and pressure on the rule of law and democratic principles. At a time when research-based knowledge is also being challenged, universities are pillars in building knowledge preparedness for the future. In this landscape, UiT is a strong and necessary driving force in the North.
Our societal mission is to provide research-based education of high quality across professions and disciplines. We shall carry out artistic development work and research at a high international level – from fundamental inquiry to applied work. We shall also disseminate knowledge about our fields and contribute to innovation. This societal mission unites UiT across programmes, research fields and geographical distances. In close cooperation with industry, society and international partners, we shall drive forward knowledge-based and sustainable development regionally, nationally and internationally.
Academic freedom and scientific and research-ethical principles underpin all our activities. A vibrant university democracy, participation, co-determination and open processes shall provide the basis for the decisions we need to make for wise and forward-looking priorities. Our students and staff shall have the opportunity to develop their abilities and realise their potential. Grounded in scientific integrity, we shall be courageous, committed and generous – in close contact with disciplines, people and societal development.
We shall use our resources efficiently and purposefully and be able to adapt rapidly to meet future challenges and opportunities. We will strengthen quality and competitiveness in our disciplines and core tasks through three strategic priority areas.
1: The Arctic and High North
As the northernmost university in the world, UiT is strategically positioned to develop and disseminate knowledge about the Arctic and the High North that is important globally. UiT encompasses research and education on nature, society, technology, environment, culture, people and the interactions between them.
From this standpoint, UiT shall fulfil its role as a research-intensive comprehensive university, while also taking responsibility for meeting the region’s competence needs. We shall build on insights from our disciplines to contribute to development in the North.
Ambition: UiT shall be internationally leading in knowledge and expertise in, about and for the Arctic and the High North.
We shall be at the forefront of understanding nature, climate and societal change in the Arctic and the High North and propose sustainable solutions. We shall offer attractive study locations that value and utilise the proximity between disciplines, people and practice. We shall translate challenges and opportunities in the High North and in the geopolitical situation into academic questions andexplore them in collaboration with others. We shall actively contribute to shaping responsible international cooperation in research and education.
To achieve our ambition, UiT shall
- prioritise a broad academic portfolio with several leading research environments at the forefront of international knowledge development. We shall raise research questions relevant to development in the North and continue to be Norway’s leading provider of polar and northern research. We shall develop and maintain scientific infrastructure and long-term data series that enable knowledge development within disciplines.
- be the leading educational institution in the North, with attractive, high-quality study programmes. We shall further develop a broad study portfolio adapted to demographic trends and to society and industry in the North. We shall strengthen flexible programmes that enables young and adult students, in both small and large communities, to acquire the knowledge, competence and skills needed for the future.
- strengthen expertise on and for Sámi and Kven contexts across the breadth of our disciplines. We shall be the leading university in knowledge of and dissemination about Sámi and Kvenlanguages, culture, art, and society, and about the interaction between majority and minority societies.
- be a driving force for cooperation in the Arctic and the High North. We shall be a visible and active knowledge actor in the region, and a preferred partner for industry, society, and international collaborators. We shall contribute advanced expertise in the new security and geopolitical situation in the Arctic.
2: Major societal challenges
Major societal challenges in geopolitics, climate and environment, demography and health demonstrate that modern society is vulnerable. Global interaction, democracy and trust between people are under pressure. Competence and preparedness in both research and education are crucial for building future solutions. With our strong position in the North and our academic breadth, UiT can contribute knowledge and expertise for transition, adaptation and forward-looking solutions across disciplines, industry and society.
Ambition: UiT shall contribute to innovative, democratic, and sustainable solutions to major societal challenges.
We shall take responsibility for fundamental research within our disciplines and participate in the global knowledge enterprise. We shall continue to lead in sharing and making our research and education accessible, while safeguarding research security in a new geopolitical landscape. We shall work interdisciplinarily internally and in close cooperation with the surrounding society. Students and staff at UiT shall demonstrate critical thinking, creative advantage, and the courage to challenge established practices.
To achieve our ambition, UiT shall
- be a leader in the practice and development of open science. We shall help develop the field in close collaboration with national and international partners and understand security risks and research-ethical dilemmas across all activities. We shall contribute to developing and implementing principles for open science established by the global community.
- develop knowledge, methods and instruments that help address major societal challenges. We shall promote groundbreaking knowledge development and prioritise technologies, infrastructure and methodological development that enable work with complex issues and sustainable solutions. We shall contribute to developing a Norwegian professional language to meet needs in Norwegian working and social life in an international working environment.
- promote interdisciplinarity, co-creation and innovation. We shall contribute to a sound division of labour with other institutions and create arenas for collaboration across disciplines, sectors,and national borders. We shall prioritise and make use of the opportunities in digital transformation and, through innovation, develop and strengthen both private and public sectors in the North.
- strengthen competitiveness and capacity for change. We shall use and prioritise our resources to meet major societal challenges and fulfil our societal mission. We shall promote the safe and sustainable use of new technology and artificial intelligence and increase our participation in competitive national and international funding schemes for research, education, and innovation.
3: Talent development and diversity
Students and staff are our most important resources. A prerequisite for fulfilling our societal mission is therefore that everyone can develop their potential. Students and staff come from different countries and places, with varied backgrounds and histories, bringing experiences and perspectives that enrich and challenge us. UiT shall use this diversity as a strength in creative and collaborativework, and as a foundation for building leading academic environments.
Ambition: UiT shall be a centre of origin for developing the competence and talent of students and staff, with diversity as a driving force and resource.
We shall be an attractive and inclusive place to work and study, where there is room to try, fail and succeed. We shall practise leadership that promotes diversity as a strength and emphasisescommunity, engagement and collaboration among students, staff and other societal actors. We shall ensure a good working and learning environment, work to increase social mobility and prevent exclusion. We shall be one unified university where everyone’s contributions and responsibilities matter.
To achieve our ambition, UiT shall
- attract, develop and retain talent. We shall establish instruments for continuous development of relevant, high-level academic competence and the ability to adapt. We shall identify and break down career barriers, maintain a coherent recruitment and personnel policy, and develop leadership and staff systematically.
- recruit and equip students for lifelong learning. We shall strengthen and target our recruitment efforts nationally and internationally, facilitate mobility, and together with the labour market ensure that more young people are drawn to and remain in the region. Through relevant teaching and assessment methods, we shall promote curiosity, participation and responsibility for the future.
- prioritise knowledge development and innovative dissemination that promote diversity. We shall strengthen participation by students and staff in dialogue and public debate, and safeguard academic freedom of expression. We shall ensure diversity in competence, representation and perspectives, and strengthen our role as a disseminator of knowledge both regionally and nationally.
- ensure knowledge-based development of UiT’s working, learning and study environments. We shall invest in stimulating and well-adapted physical, social and digital working and learningenvironments. We shall develop as one university with campuses and study locations that each have their own distinctive character.
