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A Short Introduction to Tromsøand the University of Tromsø

On Top

of the

High North

Climate change

East Meets West

The Demand for Oil & Gas

Unspoiled Nature

Clean Food

A Cure for Cancer?

Tromsø in a Nutshell

Situated at 69°40′58″N 18°56′34″E

Founded 1794

Nicknames:

• “Paris of the North”

• “Gateway to the Arctic”

Population:

• 67.000 (urban area)

• The 8th largest city in Norway

Area 2.558 km2

• The largest urban municipality of Norway

• 40 .000 m2 per person

The University of Tromsø

• A classical university with a wide range of subjects taught.

• Merged with the Tromsø University college 1.1.2009

• 9.000 students, whereof 10% from abroad

• 2.800 staff• 2,1 billion NOK• More than 300 programs• Centers of Excellence,

Innovation, Peace andConflict Transformation,Sami studies, Tele-medicine, Women research,Biotechnology, Traditional Medicine etc.

• The University of Tromsø aims to be an academic institution of high international standing and with a special commitment to developing the North, combining quality and relevance, cutting-edge research and a wide range of educational opportunities

• The University of Tromsø aims to be at the international forefront in research and education pertaining to the Northern region.

• Particular emphasis shall be given to research in fields where the university has a comparative advantage due to its geographical location.

Aims & Commitments

Key Focus Fields• Biomarine studies, biomedicine

and biotechnology• Health and welfare studies,

including telemedicine and social medicine

• Indigenous studies, including questionsrelating to Sámilanguage and identity

• Northern and Arctic studies,including central fields such as technology and science, social sciences and the humanities

English taught Master Programs

• Human Rights Practice• Law of the Sea• English Linguistics• Indigenous Studies• Peace and Conflict

Transformation• Theoretical Linguistics• Visual Cultural Studies• Business Creation and

Entrepreneurship• Telemedicine and E-health• Biology (Department of

biology)• Chemistry

• Computer Science• Geology• Physics• Biomedicine

Distribution of students

10 % international students from 91 countries:1. Russia (94)2. Germany (63)3. Sweden (42)4. Denmark (38)5. Poland (34)6. Finland (25)7. France (24)8. U.S.A. (22)9. Nepal (20)10. Spain (18)

From abroad10 %

Northern Norway

70 %

Southern Norway

20 %

Female58 %

Male42 %

Fall 2009. Source: DBH

1968 - 2008

Tromsø High North Cluster (THiNC)

The University

The Northern

Research institute

The Marine

Research Institute

The Polar Research Institute

Akvaplan-niva

Norwegian High North StrategyLaunched 1 December, 2006

Key premises: Increased presence Increased scope of activities Increased knowledge

Key drivers:

Climate, Russia, Energy,

Arctic Dimension

Key Elements of the High North Strategy• Climate change and the environment • Monitoring, preparedness and safety at sea • Sustainable use of petroleum and renewable

resources at sea• Business development onshore• Infrastructure• Sovereignty and cross border co-operation• Culture and livelihood of indigenous peoples

The role of Tromsø in the High North Strategy

• Major provider of knowledge: The Arctic and its role in climate

change Ice and it’s impact on climate Oceanography in polar regions Safe and secure operations in the

Arctic Relationship with Russia Fisheries and fish farming Marine bioprospecting Indigenous peoples Arctic governance and

international laws in the Arctic Arctic technology Telemedicine Etc..

Credits, clockwisefrom top left:

Jon Terje EiteråMaja SojtaricLars Nordmo

Ola RøeMaja SojtaricMaja SojtaricRolf E. Tønne

Photo: Jon Terje Eiterå

”Tromsø is a city for great occasions” Norwegian Secretary of State Jonas Gahr Støre, December 2005