Konnekt and UArctic enter strategic partnership to strengthen transport and infrastructure in the Arctic
The agreement marks the beginning of joint efforts to develop expertise, education, and research capacity in transport and infrastructure in Northern Norway, Northern Sweden, and Northern Finland.
Konnekt, a national competence center in Norway, and UArctic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for long-term collaboration to address challenges related to transport, infrastructure, and logistics in the Arctic.
The agreement marks the beginning of joint efforts to develop expertise, education, and research capacity in transport and infrastructure in Northern Norway, Northern Sweden, and Northern Finland – with connections to Europe and the rest of the world via rail, road, sea, and air.
“To respond to the expected investments planned in the North, we must collaborate across borders,” says Trond Michael Andersen, Director of Konnekt. “We need to develop and strengthen education in transportation, and to achieve that, we must explore collaborative models between universities that benefit both students and the labor market,” he adds.
The collaboration is part of the strategic initiative Arctic Mobility which aims to strengthen education and research in the northern regions. This includes:
- Mapping existing educational offerings and competencies in the region
- Identifying capacity needs in collaboration with transport operators and authorities
- Sharing data and knowledge about the transport system
- Joint academic activities such as seminars, conferences, workshops, and study programs
The goal is to ensure that the Arctic has sufficiently qualified personnel to plan, build, operate, and maintain the transport systems of the future. The parties will also develop a joint strategic plan by the end of 2025 and seek funding for joint projects.
“Local competence in the North is best developed through cross-border collaboration. This increases quality, ensures local relevance, provides opportunities for regional development, and is invaluable for long-term preparedness and safety,” says Lars Kullerud, President of UArctic.
The agreement facilitates collaboration with both public and private actors, research environments, and educational institutions. It is not legally binding but expresses a strong mutual commitment to strengthening competence and sustainable development in the North.
About Konnekt
Konnekt is a collaboration between the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and the Railway Directorate, aimed at strengthening competence and innovation in transport and infrastructure in Norway. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Transport.