New Rectorate in August
This spring, Margareth Hagen was re-elected along with her new rectorate, which will begin in August. 鈥淚t is a privilege to be the rector at UiB,鈥� she says.
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鈥淚 am very grateful for the trust placed in me. It is a great responsibility and incredibly rewarding. The long workdays pass very quickly,鈥� says.
I am very grateful for the trust placed in me
She explains that the past four years as rector have been intense, especially considering global events that have affected UiB.
鈥淢uch has been beyond our control, such as budget cuts, the pandemic we eventually emerged from, frequent changes in ministers, tight budgets, multiple wars, and politics in the U.S. I believe we have handled it together and stood tall, and I鈥檝e felt a strong sense of community among the deans and all leadership groups. I also hope my colleagues feel the same pride in working for UiB.鈥�
New Rectorate
In August, the new rectorate will begin its work together, something Hagen is looking forward to.
鈥淚t will be very good. We know each other well already, but we are four different people with different expertise and academic backgrounds. Participating in an election campaign provides a very useful and effective understanding of the organization and university politics, so everyone involved got to know UiB better,鈥� she says.
Starting this fall, there will once again be a pro-rector responsible for education. from the Department of Biological Sciences will lead the work on UiB鈥檚 educational programs. from the Department of Sociology will become vice-rector for doctoral education and internationalization, with a special focus on supporting young researchers. from the Faculty of Medicine will be vice-rector for research, innovation, and collaboration, responsible for research and infrastructure.
Four More Years
Hagen believes the next four years as rector will also pass quickly and looks forward to tackling the tasks with the new rectorate this fall.
The coming years will be very important for UiB
鈥淭he coming years will be very important for UiB, especially with major construction projects like Nyg氓rdsh酶yden South, the HF Quarter, and the Museum of Cultural History. UiB will continue to be a clear national voice in knowledge policy for the major comprehensive universities. I also care deeply about UiB being a good workplace for all employees.鈥�
Other priorities include working even more closely with students and educational pathways, and continuing to strengthen international collaboration in a challenging global situation.
鈥淯iB is also well-positioned to continue its quality work in research. I鈥檝e always thought we are just the right size as a university, with short distances between administration and faculties. That鈥檚 a strength that allows us to adapt quickly and position ourselves for major grant applications. We鈥檝e also become a more open university with many good initiatives reaching out to the city, and we will continue with that,鈥� she says.
Tougher Economic Times
At the same time, several faculties at UiB are facing tougher economic conditions.
鈥淚t helps that we are prepared and plan accordingly. We will work to maintain scientific capacity, which means we must economize on space, reduce dropout rates, and improve completion rates in studies. At the same time, we will mobilize for increased applications to important competitive arenas. Hopefully, the government and authorities will recognize that the future lies in knowledge and education, and that this will be reflected in funding. We have an interesting time ahead,鈥� she says.