We invite you to attend the 2024 UiB Læringskonferanse on Connection, Community, Inclusion.
- 17.10.2024 8.20-16.00
- Registration deadline: 10. oktober 2024
Greetings from the Department – 27.09.2024
This week the Dean visited the department to outline BIO’s and UiB’s current position in the current national and international situation. There was a discussion from Gunn on the need for researchers to apply for external funding, with particular emphasis on writing proposals from EU funding such as the European Research Council (ERC).
Join us to mark the World Mental Health Day Wednesday October 2nd
Join us at BIO on October 2nd to mark World Mental Health Day.
There will be a stand from 8:00 to 10:00 AM in BIOLOGEN and Bioblokken, where our safety representatives, HR staff, and Head of Department Ståle Ellingsen will be present.
Four new NRC projects awarded to BIO researchers!
Fra venstre: Gabriella Ljungström, Aud Halbritter, Anders Opdal og Vigdis Vandvik
We are extremely pleased that we seem to be following up the impressive success-rate in the first rounds of allocations from the NRC this autumn. Four new grants are awarded to BIO researchers, three of these coordinated by BIO. We congratulate the fresh project leaders/-partners and their groups!
Reminder: marking of new faculty name – 1 October 12.00 (at BIO 13.00)
[Our translation]
Our faculty will now change its name, for the first time since it was established in 1946. We will of course celebrate this!
On Tuesday 1 October, there will be an official unveiling and transition to a new faculty name.
A main marking has been organized with the unveiling of a banner outside the science building, and local markings at the other buildings belonging to the faculty afterwards.
Bullet points from the general staff meetings (allmøter) September 13. and 23.
Meeting with dean Gunn Mangerud Monday September 23.
Dekan Gunn Mangerud visited this Monday to talk about the changes and challenges the Institute and the faculty is currently facing.
The current landscape is marked by major geopolitical tensions and a paradox of more universities but less overall funding. A demographic shift means fewer students in the coming years, with Norway seeing a particularly low number of STEM students compared to other European countries. Despite these challenges, the faculty continues to deliver curiosity-driven research and a science-based curriculum.
To support research in the field, the faculty has established the STEM Education Research Centre (SERC). “Mattestuen,” a low-threshold math help center has also been established, helping with the biggest obstacle for first-year students, namely math.
A government white paper on the research system is expected in spring 2025.
External funding remains strong, with a total of 550 million NOK, and the faculty is pleased with this outcome. Notable funding sources include BOA 2024 and Horizon Europe 2022-2023, with 23 ERC applications this year. There is room for improvement still.
The faculty is developing a roadmap for research infrastructure, with more details expected soon. Research schools are fostering good networks, and the faculty will continue to support this. The faculty also hosts Norwegian Centers of Excellence in research and AI research centers, including two Marie Curie programs.
The faculty has been renamed the Faculty of Science and Technology to reflect its expanded focus on applicable and practical technologies.
General staff meeting [allmøte] September 13.
BIO had its first general meeting with the new head of the department, Ståle Ellingsen, on Friday, september 13, 2024.
Ståle gave a brief presentation of himself, where he also shared some of his wishes and what he considers important for BIO. His main focus moving forward is to get to know the staff better and familiarize himself with the various groups at BIO, including the student organizations.
Ståle wants the staff to become more familiar with the research being conducted across different groups. Therefore, it is important to have more seminars, as this can strengthen collaboration between groups and inspire creativity in research.
Furthermore, Mari, Alistair, and Gyri presented their respective Fripro projects. ECC also presented their work and their planned activities for the rest of 2024.
Important changes in the new Universities and Colleges Act [Universitets- og høyskoleloven]
Foto/ill: colourbox
On 1 August, the new Universities and Colleges Act (UH Act) came into force and with it came some important changes that are relevant for academic staff who teach and supervise students. Here follows a brief summary of the most important changes.
The faculty is also working on updating its supplementary rules and a proposal will be sent out for consultation to the departments in the near future.
Holiday regulations – remember to register your holiday in the self service portal!
The Department of Biological Sciences complies with the rules and regulations in the Act Relating to Holidays, the Basic Collective Agreements, and the UiB Employee Handbook.
Opening of BIO’s crochet gallery Friday October 4th!
Welcome to the informal official opening of BIO’s crochet gallery Friday October 4th at 12:00! The opening will take place on the third floor Bioblokk (HIB) at Fiskekroken (the lunchroom for Marine Developmental Biology group).
Maintenance work at Bioblokken, Thormøhlensgate 55 in October
[Our translation]
Site: Thormøhlensgate 55 Bioblokken – including “mellombygget”.
Type of work: Rectification of deficiencies in the fire-extinguishing system following inspection
For further details – see attached document from Eiendomsavdelingen [Norwegian language]
Announcement of scholarship funds within the north2north program for the spring semester 2025
[Our translation]
The mobility program north2north announces grant funds for exchange stays at north2north institutions in Canada, the USA and Europe. An updated overview of member institutions can be found on UArctic’s website. All activities applied for must be completed in the spring semester 2025.
UiB Call: Erasmus+ Organisational Support (OS) funds for the 2024-25 academic year
[Our translation]
Studieavdelingen (SA) announces OS funds (Organisational Support) for the academic year 2024-25. The OS funds are generated by mobility through the Erasmus program and will be used for measures that will promote international student mobility with good academic grounding at UiB.
Both academic and administrative staff at the department and faculty can apply for OS funds.