Dear everyone!

This year is a super election year for us: there will be elections for a new rector’s office, university board, faculty board and department council. This is an important opportunity for students and staff to influence decisions that shape our academic environment.

First up is the rector election (24-27 March 2025). There are 2 rector candidates, each with their own team, standing for election: current rector Margreth Hagen with a new team consisting of Pro-Rector Sigrunn Eliassen, Kjell-Morten Myr (Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation and Infrastructure) and Kristoffer Chelsom Vogt (Vice-Rector for Research and Internationalisation); and Lise Øvreås, who is running for election with Pro-Rector candidate Endre Tvinnereim, Marit Øilo (Vice-Rector for Education), Anne K. Bang (Vice-Rector for Internationalisation) and Karsten Specht (Vice-Rector for Innovation and Infrastructure).

The next election will be the election of new members to the University Board (the election period is 2-7 May 2025). Here the election is for

• • • two members and at least 2 deputy members of and among group A (permanent employees in academic positions)
    • one member and at least 2 deputy members of and among group B (temporary staff in an academic position)
    • one member and at least 2 deputies of and among group C (technical and administrative staff).

How to submit proposals for members to the University Board

• The proposal must be signed by at least the same number of proposers as the number of candidates the proposal contains (groups A, B and C each constitute their own constituency). No one can sign more than one proposal.
• The proposed candidates must be eligible and asked if they wish to stand for election
• Candidates must understand Norwegian
• The proposal will be sent to valgstyret@uib.no by 5 March at 12.00 noon.

In June, the elections will be held for the Faculty Board and the Department Council.

The deadline for proposals for members (groups A, B and C) is set for Friday 4 April 2025 at 3 pm (applies to both the faculty board and the department council)

Proposals should be sent/delivered to the Election Committee’s secretary, Gjert Bakkevold, Faculty Secretariat (Amauer Hansen’s House 4th floor, room 416).

In order for a proposal to be legally submitted, the following requirements apply:

• The proposal must be in writing.
• A proposal for a candidate for a governing body must be submitted by at least the same number of proposers as the number of candidates the proposal contains.
• A proposer cannot propose himself or herself as a candidate.
• Those proposed must be eligible for election.
• If a candidate is proposed who can claim exemption from election, the proposal must be accompanied by written consent from the person in question.
• No one can sign more than one proposal.

Have you ever thought about running for election to the University Board, the Faculty Board or the Department Council? Being part of the University Board, Faculty Board, or Department Council gives you a unique opportunity to influence important decisions and help shape the future of your academic environment. By running for office, you can represent your fellow students or colleagues, promote their interests, and work to improve the university. It is a valuable experience that can provide you with insights, networks, and skills that will be useful in your further career. Take the chance, get involved, and help make a difference! Your voice and your commitment are important.

And even if you do not want to stand for election, it is important to participate in these elections, so that you help ensure that the university is led by people who represent your interests and values. Therefore, it is important that you exercise your right to vote and actively participate in the university elections. Your voice can make a difference!

And last but not least: Congratulations to the award winners of the research presentations from the Research School in Clinical Medicine!

• Aishwarya Pavithram (1st prize oral presentations);  PhD candidate K2
• Gonzalo Nido (postdoc award oral presentations) researcher, K1
• Jenny Lindroos (2nd prize oral presentations) PhD candidate K1
• Anne Mari Syversen (3rd prize oral presentation) PhD candidate K1
• Harini Pechiappan (People’s Prize) PhD candidate K2
• Thea Sjøgren (postdoc award poster) postdoc Helse Bergen (Bergithe Oftedal accepted the award on her behalf)
• Adrianna Jebrzycka; 1st prize poster PhD candidate K2
• Brit Ellen Rød (2nd prize poster) PhD candidate K1
• Camilla Ekanger (3rd prize poster) PhD candidate K1

Have a great weekend!

Silke