University of Tromsø, Norway, explores exchanges, collaborative projects with UND

A high-level delegation from the University of Tromsø, Norway, met Monday at UND and will meet again on campus Friday to explore the potential for ongoing student and faculty exchanges—both short—and long-term—and collaborative research projects that could benefit both schools.

“We’re looking for some real action, real projects, not just signed letters in a file,” said Curt Rice, vice rector for research at Tromsø and the group’s coordinator.

Rice said UND is probably a good fit for Tromsø because both schools are in largely rural areas and share common challenges, such as adequate access to health care. Additionally, both universities share research and degree program interests in both fossil fuels and in renewable energy, such as wind and biofuel, and in other areas such as aerospace. The University of Tromsø Medical School already has a working agreement for faculty and student exchange with School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

UND Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Paul LeBel told the group that UND is again the U.S. school that hosts the most full-time, degree-seeking undergraduates from Norway—63—plus students not counted in that total who are at the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences pursuing air traffic control training.

“We, too, see the opportunity with the University of Tromsø for more study abroad opportunities for our students,” LeBel said.

The group was at UND Thursday afternoon for talks with top UND officials and a dinner with Melissa Gjellstad, assistant professor of Norwegian in the UND Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures and a member of the Nordic Initiative, in downtown Grand Forks.

The University of Tromsø delegation continues its visit to UND Friday, splitting into three groups, one visiting the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, hosted by Senior Associate Dean Gwen Halaas and the College of Nursing with Dean Julie Anderson. The second group will focus on UND Aerospace with Dean Bruce Smith. The third group will visit to the UND College of Business and Public Administration with Dean Dennis Elbert and Associate Dean Steve Moser.

The whole group meets at 3 p.m. with UND Vice President for Finance and Operations Alice Brekke and will be hosted to dinner at the Stone Alumni Center with Provost LeBel, Associate Provost Steve Light, and School of Law Interim Dean Kathryn Rand.

— Juan Miguel Pedraza, University Relations, 777-6571, juanpedraza@mail.und.edu.