“National user manual in medical biochemistry” is an academic resource on laboratory samples which is now available as a free App. This app could be very useful for both students and employees. Click here for more information (in Norwegian)
Many agree that this year’s HSE-seminar was «the best HSE-seminar ever». We enjoyed a diverse programme consisting of group sessions with problem solving, a “feel good” seminar with Marco Elsafadi, and a panel debate on the issue – how can K2 become a better place to work?
The HSE-seminar is somewhat similar to Christmas services, it is nice and pleasant to hear about baby Jesus in the crib and sing Christmas carols, but then we forget about it until next Christmas. This time I want at least some of the lessons and ideas to be remembered and implemented.
Marco Elsafadi talked about his experiences as an athlete and as head of a company, focusing on politeness and generosity. He talked about Daniel who always greeted others by name, made coffee, and created a pleasant working environment around himself; about laughter and generosity. It might sound like fluff for “hard core scientists”, but it is actually important that people are happy – the joy of work will increase, and productivity and creativity will rise. You are all encouraged to greet everyone you meet at K2, and also to learn the name of someone you do not know.
The panel debate was constructive and engaging. An issue raised by several contributors was common meeting areas. The K1/K2 seminars and K2-news are both examples of meeting areas which I believe functions well. Helge Ræder suggested a discussion forum such as Harvard catalyst. As we do not have the possibility to create our own intranet at K2, we have this week launched the group “K2 katalysator” on Facebook as our “intranet”. The idea is that the Facebook forum can work as a “water hole” where K2 people can discuss/ask about collaborations, advice when the PCR-reaction do not work, or put in a request for equipment or chemical badly needed. Further, the page may be used to announce academic and social activities as well as to discuss other scientific or social issues related to K2. You are all hereby invited to participate!
We will also present the summaries of the various group sessions at the HMS-seminar in upcoming issues of K2-news so that this work will not be forgotten either. Thus, HSE is on the agenda throughout the entire year.
I wish you all a productive weekend and week.
Eystein Husebye
Acting Head of Department
After the termination of the medical student internships, a natural arena for skill training has disappeared. Our newly trained doctors are authorized upon completing the professional curriculum and passing the exams. The government, employers and patients all have expectations regarding what procedures a newly trained doctor should be able to perform. This places new demands on the skill training incorporated in the teaching of medical students. Harmonized demands regarding what skills should be incorporated in the professional medical school is currently being worked out. The construction of a new skill center at MOF has high priority at the Dean’s Office. K2 has the academic responsibility for the skill center. In order to promote the teaching activities being done at the skill center, as well as provide better follow-up of student teachers employed at the skill center, K2 has, together with K1, appointed an academic supervisor group for the skill center. The group is led by Professor Sverre Lehmann. He is joined by experienced teachers from both K2 and K1. I am convinced that this academic supervisor group will contribute to an increased focus on skill training. At the same time it is important to emphasize that not all skill training should, could, or will be performed at the skill center, but a lot must also be integrated in our own teaching at bed post, laboratory or outpatient clinic. Not least are the practice periods at collaborating teaching hospitals very important arenas for documenting that key skills have been acquired.
Eva
The prestigious Helse Vest research prize was awarded Professor and Chief Physician Øystein Bruserud for his research in acute leukemia. K2 congratulates!
Read more about this here (in Norwegian)
Following the top award granted Professor Helga Salvesen who has been awarded nearly 5 million kroner, Per Eyestein Lønning, Olav Dahl, Øystein Bruserud, Emmet McCormack, Bjørn Tore Gjertsen, Karl-Henning Kalland and Per Magne Ueland will also receive funds from the Norwegian Cancer Society. K2 congratulates! Read about this in
BT here(in Norwegian)
For more information (in Norwegian) Application deadline is December 1.
Is the will to change in the university and college sector in tune with the needs of the working community?
We are no longer suffering from a master’s disease, but what are the skills really needed in the future?
Is the multidisciplinary profile of many of our educational programmes adapted to the employment students will face?
Finally, what do we really mean when we talk about quality?
These are some of the questions asked at the seminar “Qualified and competent until Dovre falls?” which The Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions and Bergen University College will arrange on November 14.
European science foundation” (ESF) have received an invitation from the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings to nominate potential outstanding young scientists to attend next year’s interdisciplinary meeting of Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings which will be held from 28 June to 3 July 2015. For more information. Nominations of scientists from K2 should be sent to kristian.jensen@k2.uib.no by no later than Friday November 14. For more information about Nobel Laureate Meetings.
Department of Clinical Science has a great repertoire of more or less advanced scientific instruments. Officially all equipment placed in the space of the institute belongs to the university. Everybody is certainly welcome to use them but we should exploit this with care. In addition, certain rules have to be followed – below these are listed:
Golden rules for users of instruments at Department of Clinical Science
• Always ask for permission to use an instrument before you start using it.
• Contact details for the person responsible for the instrument are noted on the instrument or at the entrance of the room where it is placed.
• Always obtain proper training before using the equipment.
• Always report to the person responsible for the instrument if experiencing problems.
• Always register in the user book belonging to the instrument.
The complete list of instrumentation belonging to our institute can be seen here:
It is important for us to keep the lists for new instrumentation updated. When you have received a new instrument – please report this to Kjerstin.Jakobsen@k2.uib.no
Also wishes for new instruments/equipment can be sent/delivered to Kjerstin.Jakobsen@k2.uib.no
Please note that equipment belonging to our three core facilities is under the auspices of the core facility staff and with their own administration.
Good luck with all technicalities
Roland
Our dear colleague and friend Professor Emeritus, and former Dean, Head of Institute and Chief Physician, Claus Ola Solberg, passed away in his home in Fana on October 20, 83 years old. His funeral will take place in Fana Church today, Friday October 31, at 12:00. Anyone who wishes to is welcome to attend the funeral and the subsequent memorial in the chapel.
Read more here (in Norwegian)
Knut Anders Mosevoll
Thursday November 6, at 12:45-13:45
For more information
Rune Rose Tronstad
Friday November 7, at 10:00-11:00
For more information
Both evaluations will take place in the seminar room on the 7th floor of the Lab-building.
HSE-inspections is a review of locales, equipment and working methods in order to map out any potential risks for disease and injury to staff, environment and materials, as well as a consideration of necessary implementations. Issues related to fire safety and external environment (i.e. dangerous waste and emissions) should also be evaluated. Examples of issues to be mapped out are defective and substandard furniture and equipment, noise pollution, lack of proper lighting, reduced air quality, heat, messy and unhygienic working conditions or blocked escape routes.
HSE-inspection rounds will be carried at K2:
December 2, 1300 – 1600 in the Laboratory Building
December 3, 0900 – 1100 at the Children’s clinic
December 8, 1000 – 1200 at the Women’s clinic
Link to checklist of issues to be inspected are found at (in Norwegian)
All research groups must review the checklist and report and follow-up any deviances. Week 46 is deadline for submission of form to Irene Hjelmaas
A psychosocial work environment mapping will take place in early 2015, led by the HSE-sections.
Centre for Continuing Education is inviting all the academic sections at UiB to propose presentation topics for the academic day. The presentations may be in the form of a typical lecture lasting one to two hours, but the academic sections may also choose to put together lecture series or mini seminars within an academic field or subject. In High School a multitude of subjects are taught in different education programmes featuring a lot of cross-disciplinary project work, and topics from academic sections at all faculties and academic units are therefore relevant as lecture topics.
For more information (in Norwegian)
Deadline for submitting presentation topics is November 20. Topics are suggested via this link
The University of Bergen has initiated an organizational development project in order to improve the services offered by the Central administration. The aim is that all employees should be familiar with the project. The project website is a main channel of information for the employees. In addition a newsletter has been sent out regarding the project. Click here to read the newsletter ( in Norwegian)
Next week it is again time for the annual K2 HSE-seminar. As an attendant you will learn more about cooperation and work joy – important factors which contribute to making K2 a good place to work.
I am currently reading Sapiens – a Brief History of Humankind written by Israeli historian Yuval Harari. The book presents a fascinating overview of the history of Homo Sapiens – the wise human – or to use Harari’s expression: The deadliest species in the annals of biology.
One of the major upheavals in our history was the agricultural revolution which occurred in the Middle East approximately 12000 BC. Prior this this, Homo Sapiens was a hunter and gatherer (forager) moving around to wherever food was available. The agricultural revolution was brought about by knowledge on how to grow and cultivate wheat. Traditionally this is portrayed as a major historical advancement but Harari asks the question: did humans take control of the wheat or did the wheat take control of humans? The agricultural revolution made Homo Sapiens into relatively immobile farmers who had to work more and harder – sow, weed, fertilize and irrigate under a merciless sun. From being a relatively free individual capable of moving around and gather and hunt a diverse diet, the food now became less varied, and he/she became more vulnerable to how climate and weather affected the crops. As a result, malnutrition, hunger and death were constant threats. Furthermore unaccustomed, repetitive and unphysiological tasks brought new diseases and ailments related to strain. However, the great advantage was more efficient food production providing enough food to feed many more mouths. Cities and societies grew around the farming fields, but with them came disease and wars. The presumed advancement, which quickly turned out to be irreversible, had a lot of negative side effects.
Many parallels can be drawn to recent history. When I started working with research as a student we did not have PCs, www, or e-mail, all of which today have become indispensable (?) aids. Before, a letter would be written if one had something important to say. Now all of us spew out e-mails in at an ever increasing rate and quantity. Are we in control of the IT-revolution or have we become its slaves? – and how does this affect HSE at K2?
This is something we can perhaps think about while we await the HSE-seminar on November 05.
See you there!
Eystein Husebye
Acting Head of Department
The Erasmus seminar 2014 will take place in Ålesund 1th and 2nd of desember, Registration deadline 7th november. For more information (in norwegian)
Kavli Research Center is announcing short-term grants in geriatrics and dementia, primarily aimed at the preparation of PhD- or postdoc projects.
Application deadline: 10.11.14. For more information (in Norwegian)
Grete Slettom will have her public defence on Monday October 27, 2014
Trial lecture: Monday October 27, 2014, 10:30
Topic: “Treatment of acute myocardial infarction. How could patient outcome be further improved?”
Public defence: Monday October 27, 2014, 12:15
Place: Aud. 2, BB-building, Jonas Lies vei 91
Title of dissertation: “A systematic approach to the use of insulin to prevent reperfusion injury in porcine ST-elevation myocardial infarction”
1. opponent: MD, PhD Jose PS Henriques, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2. opponent: Professor Rune Wiseth, NTNU, Trondheim
Poster and press release both in Norwegian
Vegard Skalstad Ellensen will have his public defence on Monday October 27, 2014
Trial lecture: Monday October 27, 2014, 10:30
Topic: “Perifer arteriesykdom i et globalt perspektiv. Hvordan endres epidemiologiske forhold og behandling?”
Public defence: Monday October 27, 2014, 12:15
Place: Aud. 1, BB-building, Jonas Lies vei 91
Title of dissertation: “Intimal hyperplasia. Experimental and clinical studies”
1. opponent: Professor Martin Björck, Uppsala University, Sweden
2. opponent: Professor Truls Myrmel, University of Tromsø
Poster and press release both in Norwegian
NCGC (National Cancer Genetics Consortium, led by Ola Myklebost) collaborates witch clinicians in order to map mutations and molecular biological mechanisms which many serve as a starting point for individualized targeted treatment of various tumor types. A national mapping of mutations related to a high-grade sarcoma (NoSarC) is planned. One of NCGC’s international collaboration partners is Professor David Thomas, director of The Kinghorn Cancer Institute at The Garvan Institute for Medical Research in Sydney, Australia. David Thomas is a well renowned oncologist engaged in both clinical, molecular and cell biology research.
Ola Myklebost wishes to invite all oncologists at the Department of Oncology/Barneklinikken, the doctors at the research post, as well as all members of the sarcoma group at HUS to a small seminar with David Thomas. Ola Myklebost will give a brief introduction to NoSarC. Next, David Thomas will give a lecture on International Sarcoma Kindred Study (a global genetic, biological, epidemiological and clinical mapping of questions related to hereditary sarcoma) as well as on a new personalized strategy for clinical trials involving rare cancer diseases where it is very difficult to prove effects of medication targeting specific attributes in tumors with certain mutations.
Time and place: Monday October 13 at 10-12, Laboratory building, 6th floor, seminar room 6.1-6.2.
Twice a year the KG Jebsen Center for Diabetes Research is arranging a one-day seminar for all participants of the center. Thursday September 25th, the focus was on international collaboration.
It has become a tradition to hold the seminar at Urdihuset. In pleasant surroundings members meet to discuss and share research experience, all with the same goal: to promote diabetes research.
Professor Anne Christine Johannessen, the Vice-Rector for international affairs at the University of Bergen, was invited to open the seminar. She gave a nice overview of agreements that UiB holds with institutions throughout the world. She presented strategies, possibilities, and founding opportunities to promote internationalization for both education and research.
Next, inspiring talks were given by Professor Pål. R. Njølstad , Postdoctor Simon Dankel, Professor Anders Molven and Associate Professor Jørn Sagen. They shared their experience from research stays in the States, including Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Harvard Medical School, University of Chicago, and Baylor College of Medicine. They all emphasized the importance of travelling abroad, to get inspiration and ideas, to start new collaborations, to get access to patient cohorts, and not least to meet new people. They also gave examples of how coincidences can lead to fruitful collaborations, followed by publications in high impact journals such as Nature, Cell and PNAS . Continue reading
The Department of Linguistic, Literary and Aesthetic Studies offer courses in Norwegian Language and Culture for employees at UiB, as well for their partners. In order to apply you must have a 100% engagement at UiB for a minimum period of 6 months. All qualified applicants who apply before the deadline 1 November will be offered a seat for one of the courses.
For more information and application form
The Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education (SIU) is a Norwegian public sector agency that promotes international cooperation in education and research.The High North Programme supports collaboration between higher education institutions in Norway and institutions in Canada, China, Japan, Russia, the Republic of Korea and the United States in order to increase knowledge about the High North. Accredited Norwegian higher education institutions, public and private, may apply to the High North Programme.
The programme has three project categories;
• long-term project cooperation (four year projects up to NOK 2 million per project)
• limited cooperation activities (two year projects up to NOK 300 000 per project)
• preparatory visits for projects with a main partner in China, Japan or the Republic of Korea (up to NOK 70 000)
Deadline November 5th, 2014. For more information (In norwegian)
Four safety representatives (two from the lab building, one from the Women’s Clinic and one from Children’s Clinic) and two deputy safety representatives shall be elected to represent the Department of Clinical Science. Summary of protected areas and current safety representatives are on the University’s Employee Pages, under Safety Representatives.All employees has the right to propose candidates. Proposed candidates for safety representatives and deputy safety representative should be sent to Synnøve Myhre, use this form, deadline Tuesday October 21st. The election should be held no later than Tuesday, November 11th. For more information about the process (in Norwegian).
The committee of the Academia agreement between Statoil and UIB invite applications for funding of academic activities related to the four strategic areas given in the agreement. Scientific staff employed at UiB, guest researchers and UiB students (also PhD-students) can apply. Application form
For more information
UiB is holding a writing course for scientists who want to deliver their message to a general audience outside the university. The course is suitable for those who want to learn to write accurate feature articles, blogs, letters to the editor, and other texts for a general audience.
Time and place: Tuesday, November 4, 09.00 to 15.30. Muséplassen 1. Registration deadline 10.10. For more information (in Norwegian).
The course “HSE for managers” are arranged during the autum 2014, and is compulsory for heads of departments and administrative leaders. Time: 19.11, 25.11 and 02.12. Location: Muséplass 1 Registration deadline: 11.12.14.
For more information (in Norwegian).
Fagakademiet arranges a course in how to handle aggression, intimidation and violence in the workplace. Time and place: October 27, 2014, Augustin Hotel, Bergen. Registration deadline:October 6, 2014
For more information (in Norwegian).
The Biotechnology Advisory Board invites to an open meeting with Professor Charles Arntzen who is one of the world’s leading researchers in vaccine development, and the man behind the technology used in the Ebola medicine ZMapp.
Time and place: Monday October 13, at 14-16, Building for Biological Sciences, Haukeland University Hospital, Auditorium 1.
For more information and registration (in Norwegian).
Do you want a master student? The master program of medical biology wish to have an overview of possible master projects, and asks interested academic groups to send in proposals. The master thesis must give 60 credits and must be a full time study for 2 semesters. A short description of possible master theses must be sent by e-mail before October 1st.
This is a reminder that everyone must reserve November 5th for K2’s annual HSE-day, where the focus will be K2’s inner life.
The location will be the new Hotell Ørnen vis a vis the Bus station. The day starts at 08:15 with a session specifically directed at practical work in the lab, risk assessment and contingency planning. From 12:00 the program will be aimed at motivation, with Marco Elsafadi. The day ends at 16:00. Final program and registration will come, but reserve the date.