Rektors blogg:

Welcome to a leading European research university! Welcome to the University of Oslo!

It is with great pleasure that we welcome all of our new students to the University of Oslo. As you know, the traditional welcome ceremony takes place at “Universitetsplassen” in the center of Oslo on Tuesday, August 17th from 10:30-11:30. We expect many of the 6000 new students to participate in this ceremony.

You are starting your academic career at a university that places quality in education as a high priority. The University Board has designated funding to strengthen the quality of our studies and we continue to discuss how we can improve the connections between teaching and research. In addition, we are working on strengthening student advising so that so as to be better able to help students with their study choices.

But remember: as a student, you too have a responsibility together with us. The greatest change from high school to a university is that you are expected to be self-motivated and engaged in your studies. The University is here to communicate knowledge. But a leading university provides more than factual knowledge; it should also provide opportunities for critical reflection. It should stimulate your ability to see a problem from multiple viewpoints. And a university will never succeed with these challenges if it does not have students that are willing to take initiative. This is where your responsibility comes in. To study means to enquire, to search and to analyze. These are the three words that will open doors for you at Norway’s largest and leading university.

The years you will spend at the university are no doubt the only time in your lives when you are able to use so much energy to acquire and reflect over knowledge. Use this time wisely! Open your pores to everything the university has to offer! Use our buddy system and the university and student organizations web pages to find academic, cultural, social and athletic networks. The University is like a miniature world of its own, with countless numbers of offerings and activities. However, as is the case for the world at large, to find your way you need information. The ability to enquire, search and analyze also applies here. And don’t forget that there are 600 buddies that are ready and eager to help provide advice.

As foreign students you bring with you your cultural traditions, perspectives and contacts. We look forward to having you among us so that we may profit from your contributions to our academic environment. At the same time, we will do our best to fulfill your expectations while at UiO.

Welcome to what we trust will be an exciting time at the University of Oslo!

Ole Petter Ottersen (rector)

Doris Jorde (vice rector and head of Study Committee)