The exploratory pre-seed program is a stimulus fund established to accelerate commercialization of biomedical research findings and development of novel technologies within the life sciences. The program seeks to support application-oriented research and to test new ideas that may lead to the development of new medical treatments, disease prevention, devices and diagnostic methods as well as new industrial biotechnology in the life science area. Deadline is October 16th.
For more information.

The lecture will be given by Professor and Nobel Prize winner Francoise Barrè-Sinoussi as part of the honorary seminar on HIV/AIDS for Professor Birgitta Åsjø. Time and place: Friday September 12, at 13:00-16:30 in Store Auditorium, Central Building, Haukeland University Hospital. Program (in Norwegian).

Helse-Vest’s annual Research Conference is held on October 30-31 at Solstrand Hotel&Bad. The open registration started August 30, and the deadline is October 3. Be fast, as registration is only until there are no more space available.
For more information (in Norwegian).

As part of Helse-Vest’s research conference, which will take place in Bergen on October 30 and 31, there will, as in previous years, be awarded two research prizes. The two prizes are Helse-Vest’s Research Prize 2014 and Helse-Vest’s Innovation prize 2014. Helse-Vest and Det regionale samarbeidsorganet (the Western Norway Regional Health Authority) want suggestions for candidates deserving the two prizes. Deadline for suggesting candidates is set at September 15, 2014. For more information (in Norwegian).The prizes will be awarded at the research conference.

The Office of Purchasing is holding an information meeting about the new framework agreement for chemicals ANSK-2034-13, and Sigma Aldrich will be there to talk about new products, tips about how to use the catalog, etc. The meeting will be held Wednesday September 10th at 09:00-12:00, in Realfagsbygget auditorium 2.

The Falling Walls Lab takes place in Berlin on November 8, 2014. The event offers hundreds of young scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world a stage to pitch their research work, initiatives or business models to their peers and a distinguished jury from academia and business – in 3 minutes each.
For more information

There will be a simple ceremony commemorating Professor Lage Aksnes, September 2 at 1130, in the library of the Department of Pediatrics. Those who knew Lage and wish to participate are welcome.

We wish to invite you all to the next monthly K1/K2 Seminar Series!
Title: “The gut microbiota – the forgotten organ”

Held by Johannes Espolin Roksund Hov, Norwegian center for primary sclerosing cholangitis (NoPSC), Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet.

When: Wednesday, September 3, 14:15-15:00.
Where: Main Auditorium, 3rd floor, Sentralblokken.
Chair: Elling Ulvestad

The administration at Department of Clinical Science will host an information meeting on Wednesday September 10, at 13:00-14:30. The meeting will take place in the seminar room on the 9th floor of the Laboratory Building. Practical information regarding HR, financial matters and general PhD-routines will be presented. The meeting is open for anyone interested in attending, but new PhD-Candidates and postdocs are in particular encouraged to attend.

Hopefully everybody is back with their batteries fully charged after the summer holidays. Those of you who chose Western Norway as your destination have experienced the summer of the century, at least weather-wise. However, now is the time to roll up your sleeves and focus on the important tasks, namely to provide teaching, research and dissemination of superior quality, while hopefully leaving lesser issues and annoyances be. Hanna Kvanmo, a famous Norwegian politician once said «prioritize carefully what you are going to be annoyed about» – it is something we should all keep in mind.

Teaching was deliberately mentioned first; it is the students that define us as an academic institution and university hospital. Therefore, we must work constantly to improve its quality. The importance of teaching is emphasized by the fact that your effort in this area is one of the main arguments in the local wage negotiations – this year with a historically large local salary pot to distribute.

The teaching seminar on September 17 will focus on many important topics that you should not miss, including the new curriculum for medical students, practical exam and e-learning. We will also discuss simple, but important things such as manners and behavior. Furthermore, the annual teaching award will be announced. The seminar is compulsory for academic staff and also provides an excellent opportunity to meet your colleagues.

Wishing you an excellent teaching autumn

Eystein Husebye
Acting Head of Department

The Teaching Award at K2 will be awarded on the teaching seminar on September 17. The deadline for nominating candidates is September 1, sent by mail to Siri Smidt Giske.

The award is at 50,000 NOK.

We would like to remind all of you that the time has come to register teaching activities performed in spring 2014. You can do this here. The teaching records featured prominently during the recruitment process this spring. The K2 leadership frequently utilize the teaching records when making strategic decisions. This is the letter from the faculty regarding the registration (in Norwegian), and read instructions on how to register your teaching (In Norwegian).
NB: The database is open until September 5.

If you have any questions, please contact Tore Lillebø.