STAVANGER
The University of Stavanger (UiS) is a public, non-profit higher education institution situated on the south-west coast of Norway. The Stavanger region has about 300 000 inhabitants and is known for its dynamic and international environment being the hub of the Norwegian energy sector. As the administrative, economic, and cultural centre of Rogaland County, Stavanger has also ambitious goals to achieve a green transition. The UiS aims to be an open and innovative university based on high quality of education, academic and artistic research. Being a relatively young university, the UiS has developed strong links and collaboration with both the public and the private sector of the region. There is a core focus on developing innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability in all aspects of education and research, which in 2012 led to the membership in the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU).
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It is in line with UiS’s strategic ambition towards 2030 of being a leader in challenge-based education and research, where students, staff and external partners interact to solve real social challenges by reinforcing critical reflection and constructive debate. Green transition, energy, health and welfare, learning for life, and a good learning and working environment are the priority areas. In interaction and dialogue with the surroundings regionally, nationally and internationally, the university has an open and innovative climate for education, research, artistic development work, innovation, dissemination and museum activities. The UiS is involved in a number of Living Labs projects on campus and in the local community.
The university is also closely involved in Pedersgata Living Lab, a downtown neighbourhood that is undergoing rapid transformation. In this living lab new technologies, participatory methods and design will be introduced in order to develop a sustainable and inclusive neighbourhood. The Living Lab forms part of the EU New European Bauhaus Lighthouse Project NEB-Star.
Another project that the UiS is involved is the Kvikktest Stavanger. The Municipality of Stavanger and Nordic Edge are running several agile piloting (Kvikktest) projects in which sites or neighbourhoods are used as testbeds. Kvikktest is a new and faster way to work with smart city development in collaboration with business and residents. A Kvikktest is an experiment, where selected suppliers are involved in testing their solutions in a real environment. One of the main goals of a quick test is learning; learning for the municipality, the companies that test their solutions and learning for the citizens by engaging in early-stage development of urban solutions.
