Welcome to the debate meeting with the rector's candidates on 29 March from 12.00-14.00 in auditorium A-1.020, Molde campus.
The session will be held in Norwegian. A recording with English subtitles will be made available after the debate.
Steinar W. Kristoffersen (56)
I have a degree in Computer Science from the University of Oslo and Lancaster (PhD). I have worked in the institute sector as a postdoc at UiO, programmer, entrepreneur and professor of computer science at Østfold University College.
I came to HiMolde in 2014 (elected principal in 2017 and 2019). I am a board member of Helse Midt-Norge RHF, Smartsky AS, Molde Næringsforum and SiMolde. From 2002 to 2010, I was Blindern Studenterhjem's chairman.
As rector, I have had the opportunity to have a direct dialogue with several of our ministers on essential matters for the college, for example, about new study places for our health programs, bachelor in IT and digitalisation, and bachelor in jurisprudence, about international cooperation and Campus Kristiansund, and now in recent years about the need for more student accommodation and the importance of more substantial investment in higher education in our region. I was also part of the expert committee that recommended changes to the rules for accreditation as a university for the government.
Privately, I am mainly concerned with family and outdoor life with running, cross-country skiing and dog, but I am also interested in theatre, music and politics.
Elin Mordal (54)
I am an associate professor at the Department of Health and Social Sciences. I am a qualified nurse with special training as a midwife and a master's degree in social change, organization and management. In 2022, I completed a PhD in health and social sciences. I have been employed at Molde University College since 2008, and before that worked for many years as a nurse and midwife in the specialist health service and the primary health care service. Through various roles at the college, I know the organization well, and in the period 2015 - 2019 I was elected employee representative on the college board.
I listen to peers and, as headmaster, will emphasize close dialogue with staff and students and transparent processes. Together with whoever is elected vice-chancellor, I will lead Molde University College in close cooperation with the deans who know the departments, the challenges, and the scope of opportunities well.
Johann Roppen (55)
As rector for 8 years in Volda I have learnt to know Molde University College and its competent staff as good partners, especially by the establishment of the Molde/Volda joint doctoral programme in health- and social care.
Molde University College has made significant strides in terms of formal competence and publishing, not least because of its more than 20 years of experience with the doctoral programme in logistics. These are important factors in making it an attractive institution for those aspiring to become the rector of Molde University College. Specialized University in Logistics.
In my view the leadership of a University rector should be present, attentive and clear.
Present means to be available and accessible, e.g. to communicate via newsletter each week, as well as in other channels.
Well-informed employees and students gives a common ground for good talks, and rector should be attentive and mostly listening. But finally, decisions needs to be made, and then rector must be clear.
Mini-CV (excerpt)
- Married, 3 children
- Rector by Volda University College (2015-2023)
- Professor of Journalism Volda University College (2010), dr.polit UiB (2003), cand.polit. (1992), UiB.
- Head of Research by Møre Research Volda (2002-2005)
Pro-rector candidates
Jeanette Varpen Unheim
I am a registered nurse with a master’s degree in criminology and a PhD in professional boundaries from the University of Oslo. I worked in forensic psychiatry before becoming an assistant professor at the bachelor program in nursing here at MUC in 2008. As a teacher, I believe that the nursing profession needs diversity and that different students can become equally good professionals. I think that disagreements and nuance are necessary for the development of knowledge. MUC plays a vital role in developing students’ critical thinking and also strengthening critical thinking in society around us.
I am very interested in many political and societal issues. I think it is essential to consider how Molde University College can and should work with the missions for the higher education sector, both short term and long-term. Communication and visibility are vital for the MUC to handle the challenges we face, such as recruitment of students and employees, and we need to carefully consider which study programs that we want to be part of MUC portfolio. The key to much of this, is to make sure all the dedicated and skilled people that we have here at MUC, get to do the work that they excel at. And I would like to contribute to that.
Svein Bråthen
I am Professor in Transport Economics at MUC. I had the position as Dean for the Faculty of Logistics from 2017-2020. I am currently a member of the Board for Institute of Transport Economics, Oslo (TØI). Previously I have been a member of various internal and external boards as well as Governmental expert panels. I have extensive experience with teaching and research, the latter in collaboration with central Government agencies, EU and OECD.
I strongly believe in R&D as an essential means for maintaining and developing top-quality teaching and for MUC to be an attractive bank of knowledge for our surroundings. Furthermore, I care about people and our common well-being. MUC is dependent upon excellent facilities for the students, well-functioning and flexible administrative structures as well as top motivated academic staff members to get where we want to be. I believe that my experiences in R&D, teaching and various management positions could contribute in the coming years.
The rector's debate is open to everyone and is streamed directly to the Kristiansund campus.
There will be an opportunity to ask the candidates questions from the audience and via the streaming program.
Rector, pro-rector and board elections will be held in spring 2023.
See the candidates for the college board and learn more about e-voting. (website in Norwegian)