No 1 2009

Today, the crucial importance of higher education in the progress towards political and economic independence in developing countries is widely acknowledged.

Without relevant high-quality education, poor countries cannot produce the human capital they need to reduce poverty and inequalities, promote growth and raise living standards.

Når finanskrisen er over, vil de som har investert i kreativitet og nyskapning ligge foran, ifølge Ján Figel’, EUs kommissær for utdanning, kultur og ungdom.

EU har utpekt 2009 som det europeiske året for kreativitet og innovasjon. Men hva mener vi egentlig med ord som kreativitet? Hvorfor er kreativitet viktig – og for hvem?

It is believed that as much as 25 per cent of the world’s undiscovered oil and gas resources are to be found in the High North.

Several companies had been test drilling on the Norwegian continental shelf in the North Sea since 1965, when the news broke in June 1970 that Philips Petroleum had made a huge oil discovery.

Goolam Mohamedbhai, secretary-general of the Association of African Universities, explains why the challenges facing his continent’s higher education sector must be taken on board internationally, and on Africa’s own terms.

The Norwegian Programme for Development, Research and Education (NUFU) has adopted a targeted approach to gender issues. A growing number of supported projects now have gender-specific topics at the core of their research and education activities.

Maternal mortality remains alarmingly high in sub-Saharan Africa. The rebuilding of two new maternity wards in the Malawi capital of Lilongwe offers some hope for the future, but the obstacles in the path of progress seem insurmountable to the people on the floor.

Jennifer Mustafa has overcome one of the big hurdles facing many African women. The strong social stigma associated with HIV and AIDS still prevents parents from protecting their children from the virus.

Research shows that involving men in maternal health care is fundamental to reducing maternal mortality. We asked three Malawian men at random about their thoughts on pregnancy, fatherhood and care.

It takes 33 Tanzanian goats to produce the same amount of edible animal protein as one Norwegian goat. No wonder more and more Tanzanian farmers are opting for Norwegian dairy goats.

Shawls made of cashmere wool from Tanzanian goats may keep you warm through the cold Norwegian winter, if Signe Aarhus gets it her way.

“The idea is that every orphan in the district should have a goat of his own. Having your own goat means basic financial security in addition to daily access to free milk all year round.”

“Nutrition is far better in families with dairy goats than in families without goats. Their quality of life definitely improves,” says George Kifaro, professor at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA).

– Alle har behov for kulturell sjølvrespekt, seier forfattaren Amin Maalouf, talsmann for eit mangfaldig Europa og eit Midtausten modellert etter EU.

Det er på tide at den europeiske unionen tek kultur- og utdanningsaspektet på alvor, meiner forfattaren Amin Maalouf.

– Det er betre å forsvinna inn i musikken enn å forsvinna inn i sitt eige hovud.

– I Belgia er ’normalisering’ i fengselet det å ha kvinnelege vaktar. I Danmark tyder det også til dømes å gå på butikken og læra å laga mat til seg sjølv, seier Frederik Janssens frå Belgia.

– Europa har ei utruleg rik historie når det gjeld utdanning og akademisk virke, men likevel er dei mest kjende universiteta i verda stort sett amerikanske. Bologna-prosessen moderniserer Europas tradisjonsrike universitet, meiner EU-kommissær Ján Figel’.

– På lang sikt er det forventa at Bologna-prosessen vil føra til ein oppgang i studentmobiliteten

The Norwegian government has identified the Arctic as Norway’s most important strategic area of special effort in the future, and knowledge is emphasised as being at the centre of this effort. What is at stake in the North? What sort of knowledge do we need, and who is to generate it?

“There is a tremendous need for multicultural understanding in energy management, not least in the High North. Multinational joint master programmes make the students flexible and well equipped for jobs in international enterprises.”

The master’s degree programme in energy management jointly offered by “Russia’s Harvard” and Bodø University College provides students with high-quality education that is hailed by Russians.

Andrei Mineev is doing research on Russian companies from Norway – a perfect combination for future participation in the coming oil and gas adventure in North Russia.

“The debate on energy in the Arctic region is very emotional, especially in Northern Norway, where the people are crying out and even the church is getting involved. In this climate the petroleum industry turns to us, the academics, as neutral middlemen.”

“Living abroad gives you local knowledge and insight you would not get by just reading about the country,” says Tonje Fingalsen, who gains experience of Russia and the US as part of her studies.

“The challenges facing indigenous peoples are universal. This cooperation will help to develop a clearer international perspective on the subject.”

“Human capacity, energy and climate change are our main areas of focus,” says Dr. Andy Greenshaw, vice-chairman of the University of the Arctic, an academic network committed to higher education and research in the north.

“Here is a challenge for you: you are now to do research on the Sun and the Northern Lights, and you will study and analyse real-time data. Is it possible that there will be any Northern Lights in week 47, 2009?”

“Our long-term goal is to strengthen Russia’s expertise in petroleum research and education. In 20 years, Arkhangelsk could evolve into Russia’s undisputed oil capital.”