Summer is approaching and this is the last K2Nytt before the holiday. It has been a hectic half-year. When it comes to research, it should be mentioned that K2 since 2014 is the department at UiB with most EU applications, the number is 24, out of which 5 have been granted, one of them a coordinator project, the only one at UiB. We are still awaiting results on 11 of the applications. This shows that EU applications are worthwhile.

When it comes to teaching, the work on the new curriculum in medicine has been central. There is still much work to be done. It should also be noted that the pharmacy study has worked towards beginning an education in galenic pharmacy, which will start this fall.

Economically things are tight, but we keep to the budget and there is a realistic plan to pay down our debt of approximately NOK 3 million within a few years.

Various important issues this fall are a new organization of K2, work on a new strategy for the department, and not least the new curriculum in addition to focusing on external funding. But now it’s a well-deserved vacation around the corner. Thank you all for your efforts, and have a Great Summer!

Per

This year “the teaching day” (undervisningsdagen) will be held in cooperation with K1. It will be arranged over two half days instead of one. The first session is planned before lunch October 1st and the second October 14th (same time). The reason for the two-day-seminar is that we have to coordinate it both in K1 and K2’s schedule. On October 14th participators from the other medical schools in Norway will hold lectures about E-learning experiences. Digital exam is about to be introduced and it will be interesting to learn about how other institutions have tackled this. Another Teaching day focus is the new Medical school curriculum and how it will affect all the lecturers at the institute. One of several key topics in the new plan is students’ skill requirements and how to enforce them. This means several important areas need to be discussed and agreed upon. A big Thanks to the K2 teaching day committee Harald Wiker and Torbjørn Jonung. They have planned an interesting and relevant program.

Participation is mandatory for teachers and lecturers. Please put the two dates in your calendar right away!

During my period at K2 I have yet to come across a colleague who is not great and dedicated, either they have been research fellows, post doctorates, scientists, technicians, administrative staff or professors.

There is a staggering amount of competence at our institute. The infrastructure is good, and eventually all the different departments will be able to move into new sites.

With the good conditions, it has been truly inspiring to see the first results of K2´s new structure. One of the measuring parameters especially interesting to me is the increase in applicants. In the planning process we thought we were ambitious in our estimates of contributors to increase by 30 %. The most recent calculations show an increase of 45%. This is a clear sign of the difference all of you make every day -you made it happen! You are a force to be reckoned with, in a competitive international arena.

It’s sad then, when the focus is on contribution margins, when we should be celebrating our results which are science and research led. Contribution margins are governed by politicians, and an important component of the financing of our institute. However, the decisions are led by politicians, while the institute management can focus on influencing (politicians), and argue in favour of full finance packets, in those arenas available to us.

Within the field of teaching K2 has shown its credentials, winning multiple prices and awards, we have dedicated teachers strategically placed in the new semester board, these are important premise providers of future education within the field of medicine.

Talk each other up! You’re only as good as the company you keep, therefore cheer your colleagues on. I find that the best reward is rather accolades from a colleague, than an acquaintance. Motivate each other, work is so much more fun smiling. If it doesn’t quite go to plan, make sure you have each others backs. The support you can give a colleague is invaluable for the work environment.
It’s a fact. All scientists have been rejected at some point, it helps up and coming scientist if you share your experience, help them along by not giving up.

A hope I know I share with many of you, is to recruit more women scientists. The female share is embarrassingly low, so here’s my cry of hope for the future: get more of those brilliant women here!

I wish you all the best of luck with all your exciting projects, the new study schedule within farmacy and medicine the coming years. It’s been a great joy to be a part of K2. New (and greener) pastures await me at the institute of Biology. I do hope we can find projects to work for both institutes in the future. You are all welcome to visit me at Marineholmen.

Enjoy your weekend,
Kindly,
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