The distribution of K2 News was postponed until today following the passing of His Majesty King Harald V. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family and those closest to him during this difficult time.
On Wednesday last week, the department leadership met with the financial review working group established in consultation between the Dean and our Head of Department. The group's mandate is to review K2's financial situation and provide an external perspective on the challenges we are facing. Central to their assessment are opportunities to bring the department's finances into balance in the short and medium term, improve organizational conditions, and maintain the balance between research and education.
Det var et godt møte der vi var innom alle sentrale tema som styrer økonomien vår; overføringer basert på utdanningene vi bidrar til, gjennomføring av PhD-grader, stillingsbehov for å gjennomføre en god desentralisert medisinerutdannelse og avklaringer om stillingsfordelinger i og etter omleggingsfasen med Vestlandslegen.
We also discussed the shift in funding opportunities from laboratory-based research towards more clinically oriented studies over recent decades, as well as the importance of including funding for technical staff support in applications for external grants. The ability to replace key personnel and maintain critical academic groups is important for the department, both with respect to sustaining research environments and meeting teaching commitments.
Core facilities were, of course, also an important topic. In this area, we are awaiting the results of a review being conducted at the faculty level. We look forward to receiving the working group's report and recommendations, which are expected in September
The department leadership has also discussed the need for a better structure for IT access and computer management. This is something we will address during the autumn. Many individuals currently have guest researcher access in order to use specific functions within the UiB system, and there is a need for a more feasible solution. We also need clear procedures for terminating access rights and remove client-status for laptops when PhD candidates and researchers leave the department.
Wishing everyone a great week!
