Norwegian version of this page

Study on the possible co-organisation of the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Dentistry

The Dean has provided a briefing on the study initiated by the University of Oslo. The briefing was originally issued to all staff via email in Norwegian on 13 November.

Dear Faculty of Medicine employees,

Dekan Hanne Flinstad Harbo
Dean Hanne Flinstad Harbo. Photo: ?sne Ramb?ll Hillestad, UiO

I would hereby like to update you on the efforts that are now under way to study the possibility of the co-organisation of the Faculty of Medicine (MED) and the Faculty of Dentistry (OD) at the University of Oslo (UiO).

The first study was carried out in 2019

In 2019, the decision was made to study the possibility of merging the faculty administrations at MED and OD at the University of Oslo. At the time, the conclusion was that it would not be appropriate. However, the University Director said that UiO would look at the matter again in the future.

The University Director raised the matter again in spring 2023. The matter has now been considered by the local working environment committees at OD and MED, as well as the working environment committee at UiO. The outcome was that a risk analysis would be carried out in relation to the working environment and how this could affect the working environment at the two faculties. An academic staff representative, a technical and administrative staff representative, a trade union representative and the chief safety officer represented MED in connection with the risk analysis.

The University Director subsequently issued a mandate for the study, which can be viewed here in Norwegian (.pdf).

The matter was considered by the University Board as an information item on 17/10/2023.
Based on the mandate, the University Director has now initiated a study on a possible co-organisation of MED and OD. According to the mandate, the study will run until 30/06/2024.

The study team will assess:

  • Advantages, disadvantages and opportunities.
  • Possible effects of such an organisation on the subject areas both together and individually.
  • Significance for collaboration with other faculties and potential impact on society.

The study will look at the following areas:

A: The research communities and interdisciplinary research cooperations
B: Quality of education and teaching methods
C: Innovation and collaboration with trade, industry and the health services
D: Further development of academic specialties and areas of expertise, including research funding 
E: Use of resources

The study conducted by the working group will comprise:

  • Mapping
  • Analysis
  • Stakeholder analysis
  • Survey of best practice
  • Economic analysis

The appointed working group comprises:

  • Chair: ?yvind Fylling-Jensen, PhD, Veterinarian and Chair of the Board at Nord University and UiO Life Science
  • Appointed by MED: Ivar Gladhaug, Professor Emeritus, former Dean at MED and Head of Department, Klinmed
  • Appointed by OD: Jan Eirik Ellingsen, Vice Dean OD 
  • Per Sigvald Bakke, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, UiB
  • Bodil Lund, Professor, Prefect of the Department of Dentistry at KI
  • Anne Mette Hvas, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Aarhus University
  • Joint trade union representative: Hilde Galtung, Professor, UiO
  • Head of the Secretariat: Johannes Elgvin, Head of Section at the Faculty of Social Sciences, UiO

The matter was also recently addressed on Uniforum (in Norwegian).

We will provide ongoing updates on the matter through meetings with employees, management meetings, MED News and, if necessary, additional information e-mails.
 

Yours sincerely, Hanne

By Dean Hanne Flinstad Harbo
Published Nov. 24, 2023 10:30 AM - Last modified Nov. 24, 2023 11:02 AM