No Support to Reform Critics:
Student Parliament’s new working committee is settling in.
På norsk“At Master’s level, there is a major concern. There are not enough professional staff members to comply with the needs of every student, which he or she is entitled to see fulfilled. I want to fight for a set of regulations that will better satisfy every Master’s degree student’s basic needs,” Maria Veie Sandvik representing HF–lista (Faculty of Humanities) says. On 1 June, she will lead the Student Parliament succeeding Eirik Nederlid.
While several of the candidates in this autumn’s Rector Election has spoken in favour of reversing parts of the Quality Reform, Sandvik would rather like to revise it:
“I would like to work on what is before me rather than trying to turn things around. There is a vast flexibility that can be taken advantage of in order to be heard.”
Reform critics enjoy little support with Sandvik.
“You have to come up with constructive ideas rather than just moaning.”
Reform Revision
New full–time representative in the Senate, Torkel Nybakk Kvaal from the political group Sosialdemokratene, also wants to address the Quality Reform:
“What is most important to me is that earlier reforms are revised, and that students are able to comment on pros and cons.”
He points out more study halls during exam periods, more flexibility in relation to obligatory classes and teaching based on R&D as key issues.
Academics and the Working Community
Responsible for academic issues, Kristian Meisingset representing the political group Moderat Gruppe, shares Kvaal’s point of view. However, he especially emphasises the link between R&D and teaching at Master’s level so that students are introduced to the field of R&D.
Meisingset also appreciates the importance of a revision of the Quality Reform:
“In concrete terms, this will for instance mean to scrutinise the arrangement with a control examinator to see how it works. Furthermore, it is important to carry out student evaluations in an orderly fashion, and to make sure they have consequences.”
In addition, Meisingset sees the importance in broadening communication between the working community and the University so that students will stand a better chance at getting a relevant job after graduating.
Student Democracy in Bosnia
Responsible for domestic and international affairs, Iselin Rud–Goksøyr representing SV–lista (Faculty of Social Sciences), has her heart set way outside Blindern: “One of the issues I have really got my heart set on is a project in Mostar, Bosnia. There, we take part in promoting student rights and student democracy.”
She will also aspire to send out more information about foreign exchange programs at the University of Oslo (UiO), both which programs are available and how to go about them.
Fight for “Education for all”
Norwegian Minister of Education and Research Kristin Clemet’s attempt to reopen the debate on tuition fees is frowned upon by the working committee:
Olaf Haagensen • Aslak Johannessen (picture) • Translated by Egil Ellenes
