The Norwegian government has given Molde University College in western Norway 2.3 million Norwegian kroner (€245,000) to consider merging with another institution.
The government is driving a nation-wide merger exercise and is keen for Molde to join. “By combining university colleges and universities, they become stronger,” said Bjørn Haugstad, the secretary of state, in a statement on 1 September. “They would be able to offer higher quality education and offer stronger professional fellowships.”
In 2016 the Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Research and Education warned that Molde would face “significant challenges” if it goes on as an independent institution. The study found that the biggest challenge for the institution would be its ability to offer two PhD courses, in line with the Norwegian government’s new accreditation requirements.
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