Union rejects plan to alter university funding

The Norwegian Association of Researchers has raised concern that changes to the way in which university funds are allocated may stifle the quality of research and teaching.

Petter Aaslestad, head of the NAR union, spoke to the Norwegian parliament at a budget hearing on 25 October. He raised concern about a government proposal to increase the amount of funds distributed through competitive grants, which he said would weaken universities.

Changes outlined by the government in July include the introduction of a new indicator, under which funding is distributed based on activities such as industry interaction. It also includes plans to tie funding allocations to the number of graduates.