Dear all employees at K2,

As we approach Christmas, I am filled with gratitude for the incredibly wonderful community thriving at K2. With nearly 400 dedicated individuals, including professors, researchers, postdoctoral fellows, doctoral students, technical, and administrative staff, our department stands as a standard-bearer for outstanding achievements in medicine, pharmacy, and nutrition.

Let us reflect a bit on the journey we have had this year, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and improvement of our health through research and education. Our collective efforts in research have not only strengthened the academic prestige of our department but have also had a lasting impact on the well-being of individuals and the positive development of society. Moreover, the significant efforts you have contributed to teaching are crucial for our students to “learn for life” and indispensable for our department.

As we now take a well-deserved break to celebrate the upcoming Christmas and holiday season, I encourage each of you to reflect on the importance of unity and gratitude. It is a time to express gratitude for the opportunity to work in a community with goals that benefit other people, either as therapists or patients. Whether you are an experienced professor, a promising researcher, a passionate postdoctoral fellow, a dedicated doctoral candidate, a skilled technician, or a hardworking administrative person, all your contributions are crucial.

Let us also extend our gratitude to the families and loved ones who support us in our academic endeavours. Their understanding and encouragement play a crucial role in our collective achievements, and it is fitting to express our gratitude for their unconditional support.

As we enter a new year, let us carry with us the values of collaboration, innovation, and humanity that define our department. This is especially important now when funding for academia is threatened, posing challenges for crucial research and education. K2 is one of the best departments at UiB, and I believe we will navigate well through a period of tighter times. I hope the holiday season brings moments of joy, relaxation, and inspiration so that we can all prepare for a new year of ground-breaking research and pedagogical excellence.

On behalf of K2, I wish you a peaceful Christmas filled with warmth, time for reflection, and moments with your loved ones.

Pål