Once again the is a focus on space utilization in The laboratory building. The background is new groups need for room, and the total cost model (TDI), which is introduced into the college and university sector, demanding visibility of all project costs, including area.

 Still we have sufficient area in The Lab building, but they have not been utilized equally well everywhere. In the future we have to find  arrangements that increase utilization and flexibility of the use of the area. Measures such as clearing benches that today almost exclusively are used as storage for equipment and chemicals should be done. A review of logbooks shows that there is equipment on the house that has not been in use for the past 10 years – then the museum is a better storage location. Various groups should also collaborate, using the same areas. The development in laboratory research, evolves towards more research carried out in special laboratories and technology platforms – the need for regular lab space is longer the same. To achieve a better utilization we should abandon traditional territorial thinking. In one way or another it must be documented that there is a project going on, and a fair need for the laboratory area – a professor position in itself is not enough to demand lab space. We must also ensure that lab area use is made visible in project proposals as a direct cost, so that these may be covered by project funding. To use a bit worn out “Støre-expression, “This is a demanding process” – but I hope everyone agrees that the carrot tastes better than the whip, and that together we can find good solutions.

With a hope of good collaboration and neighbor relations in the future.

Eystein

The Organization Development Project at UiB aims to develop the administrative services so that they support the university’s tasks within research, research education, general education and scientific communication in an optimal manner.  The project emerges from the electoral platform of the rectorate: “UiB should have a culture where all employee groups identify with the same social mission and identify with the university’s core activities”.  See for more information. There have been several open information meetings for employees where the project’s status has been presented. Here are some proposals that will be initiated: Better framework for interdisciplinary collaboration, incentives which stimulate to increased external funding and the establishment of an interdisciplinary BOA-team will be followed up. Recruitment of strong international candidates will be achieved through new recruitment programs. Digital services will ensure easier access and simplified services for students. Common demands for service level and good accessibility to the central administrative services will be developed, and the employee websites will be improved.

The last 4 reports are now on hearing in the organization before the steering group  will evaluate the groups’ recommendations.  One of the most discussed reports have been the report on research education at UiB.  As part of this discussion, a debate contribution was submitted this week: (in Norwegian)

Roland

At April14th I was engaged for four years as head of the Institute. The previous year has been a special one. Nonetheless, I have received a fantastic support from very many at K2. I am very grateful for that! Special thanks to Eystein who has been the acting head of the institute the last 12 months. He has done a great job. The fact that he at the same time also applied and got an EU grant as a coordinator makes his effort even greater. K2 is facing several challenges ahead. Reorganization of the institute, a new strategy for K2, and the economical status should me mentioned. Also the implementation of the new curriculum for the medical students and the efforts to obtain external funding for research are important tasks ahead. However, knowing how many great people there are at K2, I am very confident that we will make I together.

Per

Planning of the micro-details in the new medicine curriculum has now begun. A big thanks to everyone who participate in semester boards, the planning of OSCE exam, elective courses and other study program committees!  Good interaction between the semester boards and the various course responsible lecturers with teaching skills relevant for the current study plan and the students’ evaluation of this plan is absolutely necessary in order to obtain a good result: We must be able to revise what is not working in the current curriculum, and at the same time keep the best elements from our current teaching.  It is also important to view the study plan both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, and the semester boards for 9^th – 12^th semester will now commence their work.

In order to meet the future need for more student activating teaching methods, it is necessary that we all learn new methods.  MOF now offers 20 slots at the course Team Based Learning which will take place at NLA Høgskolen in Sandviken on June 16 2015.  More information and registration can be done here

This teaching form will, in particular, be suitable for integrated and case-based teaching.

K2 would like to stimulate outstanding teaching work. The K2’s teaching prize for 2015 is NOK 50.000.  Criteria for receiving the prize can be found here (in Norwegian).  Last year’s winner was Associate Professor Atle Brun.  Suggestions for this year’s prize winner may be sent to Eva.gerdts@uib.no within 20.05.15.

Eva

As many of you may already know my term as leader of the Institute ends 1 April. Per Bakke will start a new period. Congratulations Per. At this point I want to thank all colleagues for support and for making the leadership period endurable and educational. The leadership group, and especially Synnøve has been of invaluable help.

 K2 is a fantastic place to work and has great potential for new discoveries in research. So keep up the good work.

Happy Easter! 

Eystein

In clinical research, the registration of personal information, is a particularly sensitive and important issue to deal with. This applies to all academic staff incl. PhD candidates and those in post-doc positions. University of Bergen (UiB) has adopted a general framework for health research and treatment of personal information at UiB (Case 52/12, 27/09/2012). The purpose and strategy document specifies, among other responsibilities, the current guidelines for securing confidentiality and data security. Requirements for agreements with partners, as well as internal requirements for employees’ skills, secures quality and internal control. The regulations can be found here: http://link.uib.no/euw0

As a follow up of this work, we have prepared an online form that has to be answered by the individual project owner, in projects where UiB is responsible for the research. The forms can be downloaded and answered here: https://skjemaker.app.uib.no/view.php?id=1073772

Please note that this applies only to projects where UiB is responsible for the conduct of research. All REK-approvals shall also be sent to the department to be filed in the archive system ePhorte. The same applies to NSD, but here the department Head and the Head of administration has access to the NSD portal.

In anticipation of a joint research server this “tax return” form will be sent out to be audited once a year. The deadline for this year is the 1st of May 2015. During 2015 there will also be performed an internal audit at UiB, where it will be inquired if we have a system in place for processing and storage of personal data at UiB. Just do it!  So we can all be certain of having the right high quality archive and storing facility for this kind of personal information. More reminders will be sent to each researcher at K2, ahead of the deadline 1^st of May 2015.

One of the more exciting and challenging adventure this spring has now started, namely the process of creating competitive applications to the NRC FRIMEDBIO program. Some have even called it “The most beautiful adventure”. Inspired by the great success in 2014, with a success rate of approximately ¼ of our submitted applications (a total of 5 projects among our research groups at K2), more should take up this thread. This week we started up with information meetings, together with our research coordinator, and some had even responded with submitted sketches. There is now a plan to follow this up, towards the deadline for final submission the 27th of May at 13.00 hours. Also see the K2-News from week 9 for more details. What makes it even more tempting to apply this year, is that it now comes a joint effort “fellesløft” which provides support via UiB for those who achieve high grades, but not getting grant support from RCN.
Isn’t this tempting?

I will also remind you that those who will go for a new SFF-round, should contact the Institute management for planning/dialog. There is an internal process at MOF with deadline April 1 with a 3-page sketch, CV of leader etc.

Another exciting, yet challenging process for the department since it ties up costs in the long run, is the coming announcement of the recruitment program to Bergen Research Foundation. The deadline is the10th of April for prequalification. Please contact the Institute management regarding your plans.

But the most impending announcement is for the Foundation KG Jebsen: 
Here The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and Haukeland University Hospital jointly invite to a prequalification of a 2-pages outline and resume for the centre conductor with a deadline of March 13. Please inform the department management regarding your plans.

Hope some of this tempts you!

Roland