A delegation of MSHU representatives visited Alta at March 5th to 8th to discuss future cooperation on different study programs. This was a revisit to the Finnmark University Colleges board meeting in Murmansk at November 2011 where the board members met with the MSHU staff leaders and the rector.

The MSHU delegation was headed by rector Andrey Sergeev and included all of the deans, some teachers and some officers at the MSHU International Office. The program included possible cooperation on a wide range of study programs. One of those was on northern tourism, a study program of which Finnmark University College is offering both a BA and a MA degree. The master program will be offered in English from the autumn semester 2012 on and closer cooperation on the BA program was also discussed as MSHU is planning to launch a similar BA program.

The two institutions have already established a well-working cooperation on the Bachelor of Northern Studies degree program and will have the first graduates in June. This cooperation has been most successful, and there seems by now to be great possibilities for extended cooperation on programs like teaching Norwegian, social work, media and tourism.

Rector Sveinung Eikeland at Finnmark University College has launched a renewed focus on Barents cross-border cooperation on higher education as part of the college’s international strategy. The growing cooperation with MSHU fits well into the goal of increased international contact and cooperation. The MSHU visit coincided with the international conference “Desire for Living in the North “, located at the campus. The delegation was then able to attend the conference and to enjoy both the speeches and the social part of the program before heading back to Murmansk.


Photo and text: Anna Zheleznaya, Finnmark University College