This spring two of Norway’s most famous professionals have tendered their resignations at the University of Oslo (UiO). They leave behind a savage review of the Quality Reform of Higher Education in Norway.

2005-05-04

4 February this year, associate professor of Linguistics, Helene Uri, chose to tender her resignation at UiO. In April, one of Norway’s most published professors of Musicology, Jon–Roar Bjørkvold, resigned due to the recent development in Norwegian education policy.

“It came as a surprise to me personally,” Jon Mikkel Broch Ålvik, student and head of programutvalget, a co–operation scheme between students and employees, at the Department of Musicology, says.

“I heard he had tendered his resignation on a Thursday, one day prior to his last lecture. The lecture was given in the same old fashion except he had invited twelve colleagues to listen in. He made no big deal out of it,” student Signy Alvsåker Øverland says.

Gravity of Situation

It is, however, quite significant when Bjørkvold resigns from his post at the University after 35 years for no other reason than the recent development in Norwegian education policy, which culminated in “the so–called Quality Reform” as Bjørkvold insists on calling it.

“There is no conflict between the Department and myself. If things had not turned out this way, I would naturally have kept on going. I am fond of both my field of expertise and my students,” Bjørkvold says.

During this past week he has been explaining many interviewers his stand on how the Quality Reform’s economic demands of efficiency are killing R&D and creativity within the academic circle, how employees are reluctant to start courses in fear of auditors, and how this at the end of the day affects students.

When I had to mark my 30–40 students on my own last autumn, for reasons of economy, I realised the gravity of the situation. After 35 years I know that it is difficult even in conference with two or three examinators to decide a mark. To be forced to do this on my own, considering the inevitable bias towards my own students… I could not stand for it. Fundamental rights of students are at stake.

Not Alone

Associate professor of Linguistics, Helene Uri, is not willing to elaborate as to the reason for her resignation but states that a conflict with the Department serves as the main reason. However, she admits that the Quality Reform was an important reason as well. It made resignation much easier.

According to Uri the only great advantage of working at UiO is the freedom to pursue your own projects. She feels that this freedom is severely limited following the Quality Reform.

“Working terms at the University have become considerably worse. Time and freedom to do my research is decreased. Meanwhile, administrative tasks are piling up among others because semesters are divided into smaller sections and students have to submit more assignments. And, it is up to us, the scientific staff, to sort this out.”

Awaiting Resignations

Uri gives her full support to professor Bjørkvold`s critical statements about the Quality Reform and condemns the link between module and money.

“That Italian was threatened to be shut down is utterly unbelievable. What a way of thinking! Just take Arabic for instance. All of a sudden the demand is huge due to 9/11. You cannot predict these things,” she says.

The language researcher is convinced that massive reactions will follow the Reform but understands that nobody else has voiced their opinions yet.

“Not everyone has a professional alternative. You are not qualified for many professions after a university career,” Uri says and points out that missing profits due to the Quality Reform also keep voices down.

Think for Yourself

Several of Bjørkvold`s former students say they are happy he went public with his criticism and hope that more people will grasp the gravity of the situation.

“A consequence is that one of our most disputed, but nevertheless, best lecturers is gone,” Ålvik says.

“The issue is what values should be fundamental for higher education,” student of Musicology Ketil Storheim says.

“It is about preserving the small ideas, the broad horizon of the University, but we have lost a lecturer who taught us to think for ourselves, and to find ourselves in the subject. It is sad.”

Peter Vollset • Rolv Christian Tophdal • Silje Eide (picture) • Translated by Egil Ellenes