Greetings from the Department – 17.11.2023

Instituttleder Ørjan Totland. Foto: Eivind Senneset, UiB

Hei alle,

The dean will come to us on Monday next week (VilVite, 2pm). One of the issues she will focus on is a new name for the Faculty. It’s exciting and I think it might be good to consider a new name that reflects the faculty’s academic activity in an even better way. The matter will be heard by the institute these days.

Another issue that will affect BIO and the entire rest of our sector is the new funding system. Most of you have probably realized that there will be even greater emphasis on our educational activity in the reward part of the funding model that distributes funds to universities. A process will now be initiated internally at UiB which will look at which components are to be included in the further distribution of funds downwards to faculties and departments (here the institutions are free to choose their own models). Basically, I think it is stupid that the new model at institutional level does not include incentives aimed at our research activity (publication points, payment from external funding). As of now, I am unsure how an incentive system that only focuses on our educational activity will turn out purely financially for BIO. If we manage to improve implementation among our students (and we should!), it can have a positive effect. We will definitely come back to this issue.

I would like to remind you of the deadline for registration for our HSE day and Christmas party (December 5), which is November 26. Sign up and take part in the community!

The PhD/post doc group organizes a Christmas party on 1 December. Everyone is invited. See the flyer below for more information and registration. I hope many find the time.

And last but not least, I encourage everyone who can to stop by the Student Poster Session which takes place at VilVite Tuesday 28. November.

I wish you all a good and relaxing weekend.