The Rector Election - Interview with Rectorate Vincent
The Rector Election - Interview with Rectorate Vincent
For the first time in ten years, NMBU is once again electing its rector, and the election takes place from March 17th-21st. Three candidates have joined forces in a new team – ready to shape the university’s future. Who are they, and what do they want to change? In this edition of Tuntreet, we get to know the last team to enter the race, Rectorate Vincent.
Journalist: Tobias Waage Bremnes
Translator: Mathilde Buttedahl
Photographer: Malene Tangen
Who is Rectorate Vincent?
Rector candidate Vincent Eijsink is not only an experienced researcher – he is also someone who’s passionate about NMBU. He has worked here since 1993, knows the university well, and has served four years on the University Board. When he was first urged to run for rector, he was unsure, but soon realised that he could make a positive difference.
Joining him is Ingunn Burud who’s running for prorector for education. She had just accepted the position as constituted dean at REALTEK when she was asked to run for prorector. Although she initially declined, she was inspired by Vincent’s visions and commitment to the university. She is deeply committed to education quality and the student environment.
Last but not least, Thea Blystad Klem is running for prorector for research. She is a trained veterinarian, has broad experience in research, and is currently head of department at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Thea has experience with organisational change, something which will be important in the upcoming years. She is particularly focused on strengthening NMBU's research communication and visibility.
The formation of the team
Rectorate Vincent was the last team to announce their candidacy. Vincent tells us that the decision to run for rector was not easy, but after making the decision, he began the search for the right prorectors. The three didn’t know each other well beforehand but quickly realised that they complemented each other quite well.
- We agree on much, but not everything – and we see that as a strength, says Vincent.
The rectorate’s slogan is: Accessible, approachable, and collegial. According to Thea, an important common denominator for the team is that they are good with people, which they believe is crucial for creating a good leadership culture.
Their experience is that the current leadership often presents operational reports without talking to those affected. Therefore, the rectorate’s goal is to be present on campus and talk to both students and staff.
- To come up with good solutions, you first need to agree on the challenges and then work together to find good solutions. After all, it is easier to make tough changes through dialogue and cooperation, they explain.
Key issues
Rectorate Vincent has several key issues which they will work on:
Economy: Budget balance is a top priority. The economy is demanding, and they will work for a more stable financial situation in cooperation with students and staff.
Leadership culture: One of the most important issues for the team is reducing the distance between leadership and staff. The management must be more accessible and work based on trust.
Visibility: NMBU is important to society but not well enough known. They want to strengthen research dissemination and increase the university’s visibility.
Quality of research and education: They believe that good research is important for creating a good educational environment.
What does this mean for the students?
Rectorate Vincent emphasises that they are student oriented. They wish to ensure good learning communities and physical study spaces on campus, while also wanting to strengthen the academic foundation for the students.
- Technology is developing rapidly, and we must prepare the students for a future that is constantly changing, Ingunn says.
- We can’t teach the students the cutting edge of artificial intelligence because it will already be outdated in two years. We must teach them to handle that development with a solid academic foundation, which will never expire.
Economy and parking
One issue that has engaged employees and students is parking. Rectorate Vincent is critical of introducing a parking fee to finance NMBU’s deficit.
- In practice, this will be a cut in people’s salaries. We think that the solution should rather be incentives for public transport instead of fees that disproportionately affects staff, say the three.
- Public transport isn’t sufficient and staff living in Oslo and on the other side of the fjord will be very strongly affected, says Thea.
They emphasise that even though it’s been several years since the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine moved to Ås, many still live in Oslo. Thea tells us that a parking fee would make it more difficult for them to get to work.
The way forward
Rectorate Vincent enters the election campaign with a clear goal; to create a more visible and financially sustainable NMBU, with a short distance between staff and leadership.
- We have a vision of a university where research, education, and cooperation are at the centre. NMBU has enormous potential, and we want to contribute to realising it, Vincent concludes.
