Delegation from Ilulissat College of Social Education at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, campus Alta

The Department of Child Welfare and Social Work at Finnmark Faculty and the College of Social Education in Ilulissat have a long tradition of cooperation in the field of social work.  Nuka Kleemann, rector at Ilulissat College and Kåre Halvorsen, head of the internationalization office and the whole staff from the campus in Ilulissat came to visit the campus of the university in Alta. Øivind Granerud, Vice-dean for Education at Finnmark faculty and Nina Hermansen, Head of the Department of Child Welfare and Social Work welcomed the guests from Greenland. Mona Johnson, ICO for the north2north mobility program and staff from the administration and the academic staff at Finnmark Faculty were also here.

The focus of the meeting was on how to increase student and staff exchange between both institutions. In addition, the guests participated in a guided tour of the campus. Several parallel meetings took place while the guests were in Alta: the Department of Child Welfare and Social Work organized a seminar for the academic staff of both institutions: they discussed possible research collaboration in the field of social work among indigenous people in the Arctic.

Another meeting was organized in order to discuss practical issues concerning the placement of students at each other’s institution. The staff working at the library, at the cafeteria from both institutions met in order to be acquainted with each other’s work. This fruitful visit strengthened the academic cooperation within the University of the Arctic.