Ambition
Molde University College aims to achieve university status by the end of the strategy period 2025–2029. Achieving this milestone would strengthen the institution’s position nationally and internationally and enhance its capacity to deliver high-quality education, research, and professional development. The transition to university status entails more than a formal title; it signifies qualitative development, enabling the institution to offer a broader range of research-based study programmes and to reinforce its research profile, while maintaining strong ties to the region and the national labour market.
To realize this ambition, we must strengthen our research and teaching efforts, expand doctoral education, and ensure a stable base of academic and administrative staff with high competence. Effective working methods and an inspiring study and work environment will be fundamental prerequisites. Through high-quality education at all levels, excellent research, and close collaboration with industry and public actors, we can contribute to desired societal development.
Goals
Molde University College will provide research-based education and societally relevant research of high quality that, through open development and sharing of knowledge, inclusion and sustainability, helps shape future society. We will offer study programmes that meet society’s needs for competence and lifelong learning and conduct research at a high international level. The University College will promote international collaboration and produce and disseminate knowledge that helps create value and sustainable solutions.
Molde University College will foster vibrant campus environments, both in Molde and Kristiansund, where students and staff thrive. We will provide good working conditions, a strong learning environment, and build robust student communities. Physical presence on campus should provide clear added value.
The University College will maintain an effective system for continuous Quality Assurance and cultivate a Quality Culture among staff and students.
Trends and Challenges
An increasingly volatile geopolitical environment, pressure on health and welfare systems, and climate-related challenges require collaboration, innovative solutions, and the capacity to adapt. To meet these global challenges, open, independent, and research-based knowledge is essential.
Technological development creates opportunities for increased efficiency and the emergence of new industries. At the same time, technological change can bring substantial social transformations that affect power relations and the distribution of economic welfare. Addressing these shifts requires a deep understanding of social processes at both national and global levels.
Society’s competence needs call for relevant, future-oriented study programmes. Growing demands for professional renewal and lifelong learning in the labour market necessitate the dissemination of up-to-date knowledge through flexible continuing and further education programmes.
Environmental change and climate impacts require action and shared responsibility to fulfil the UN Sustainable Development Goals and other climate-related objectives. This requires knowledge about targets, instruments, and consequences across a broad range of societal sectors on the path to achieving these goals.
Values
The ideals of academic freedom, accountability, and the intrinsic value of knowledge, through education, research, and dissemination, are central values of Molde University College. These ideals are expressed through three values that should permeate the institution’s activities.
Academic freedom
As an academic institution, Molde University College holds the principles of academic freedom and the intrinsic value of knowledge as core values. It is important to safeguard academic freedom, freedom of expression, and critical thinking, and to facilitate free scientific activity independent of commercial or political pressures. This is a responsibility shared by the institution and individual members of staff, and it benefits society.
Integrity
Molde University College must be reliable and accountable towards students, stakeholders, and employees. Our research, education, and dissemination shall be grounded in disciplinary standards and social norms, including our role as a free and independent societal actor.
Engagement
Molde University College shall be an engaged societal actor, facilitating knowledge-based development of society, the region, and the labour market to address emerging challenges. Our academic activities should provide a solid foundation for students’ future professional lives and their civic engagement.
Core Areas
During the period 2025–2029, Molde University College will focus on five core areas to further strengthen its role as an academic institution:
1. Desirable and relevant education
Molde University College will offer high-quality research-based education, emphasising long-term, relevant knowledge and flexibility to meet societal needs. We will promote research-based learning by involving students in research projects and facilitating varied and engaging teaching. The University College will maintain a well-functioning Quality Assurance System to ensure that its programmes are of high quality. Students should experience a learning environment that promotes learning, well-being, and completion within the standard period of study.
In addition to programmes for full-time students, we will provide flexible programmes that can be combined with work and meet the labour market’s need for continuous competence development. Pedagogical innovation will be encouraged. As part of this effort, the University College seeks to increase the number of merited teaching staff.
International collaboration will be promoted through exchange programmes and joint degree arrangements. Partnership agreements, such as ERASMUS, and bilateral agreements will be used to increase international mobility among students and staff. The University College will also undertake necessary accreditation processes to support and develop its international standing.
2. Independent research of high quality
Molde University College will strengthen its position as an outstanding research institution, with emphasis on high-quality research and publications at leading national and international levels. Targeted academic and administrative measures will ensure that the aggregate research output is substantial, relevant to the international research frontier, and contributes with knowledge to regional labour and societal needs. As part of this initiative, the University College aspires to offer PhD programmes in all academic departments. External research funding and international collaboration are key components of expanding our research activity. The University College will encourage these goals by providing favourable framework conditions.
Guided by the institution’s values, we will cultivate an inclusive academic environment. The University College wishes to strengthen interdisciplinary approaches in research and education to contribute to holistic solutions to complex problems. This includes participation in national and international research programmes and collaboration with diverse stakeholders from industry and the voluntary sector in developing research activities.
3. Active dissemination and societal engagement
The College’s goal is to make research results accessible and relevant to the public, industry, and policy-makers. We will be active disseminators of research and knowledge to society through academic and popular science publications and participation in public discourse. Collaboration with businesses and public agencies provides opportunities to support the practical application of research.
4. Attractive campuses
Molde University College shall be an attractive place to study and work, with a strong emphasis on learning, collaboration, and personal development. To achieve this goal, it is crucial that we provide good facilities and processes that support both students’ and staff’s professional development and well-being in Molde and Kristiansund. A strong on-campus presence is crucial to a sound learning environment. The University College will aim to strike a good balance between on-site instruction and online study options.
The University College will have plans for equality and diversity in recruitment processes to attract, engage, and include talent with diverse backgrounds.
Student perspectives and influence in boards and committees will have a natural place in institutional decision-making, and the University College will continue efforts to ensure active student participation and co-determination. In addition, the University College will further develop a coherent and stimulating study and student life environment.
5. Close contact with the labour market
Molde University College aims to strengthen links between education and the labour market to ensure that our students acquire relevant, up-to-date competencies sought by employers. Throughout the strategy period, Molde University College will prioritise cooperation with industry and public actors to ensure that both education and research deliver practical value and that our graduates are better prepared to meet workplace challenges upon completing their studies.
We will strengthen collaboration with local and national companies and public institutions to offer students internships, placements, project assignments, and case work that provide practical experience in their fields. While the University College is responsible for its programmes, representatives from the labour market will be invited to participate in programme development and evaluation. Programme content will thereby reflect current needs while ensuring the development of students’ fundamental skills. The business and public sectors shall play a natural role in campus activities as part of teaching, research, and development work.
Conclusion
This strategic document sets an overall direction for the University College’s activities for the period 2025–2029. It will be followed by action plans for each department that specify concrete sub-goals and measures to strengthen the core areas.
High quality within each stated core area is important in itself. In addition, strengthening these core areas will support the University College’s ambition to become a university.