Committee: explore the potential for a Nordic doctoral programme

18.09.18 | News
Nordiska rådets utskott för kunskap och kultur
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Pipaluk Lind
In conjunction with the Nordic Council’s September meetings in Greenland, the committee for knowledge and culture has stated that a joint doctoral programme could boost co-operation between researchers in the Nordic Region and help to bolster Nordic research co-operation, even among smaller institutions.

The committee believes that if the research currently conducted in the Nordic countries was better coordinated - such as by way of a doctoral programme - this would enable better leverage of strengths such as integration, trust, and mobility. This reflects the research policy report presented by the Nordic Council of Ministers at the 2017 Session in Helsinki.

Nordic Master fosters inspiration

Global challenges, climate change, and digitalisation are increasing the need for co-operation in research and education. Established in 2007, Nordic Master is a successful master’s degree programme which, according to the committee, could serve as a model for a similar research programme in the Nordic Region.

The committee proposes that a recommendation be sent to the Nordic Council of Ministers for it to explore the potential of establishing a Nordic PhD programme.

It’s inspiring to be here in Greenland and listen to how those in the field of culture and education are overcoming the challenges of distance and using digitalisation in social development.

Johanna Karimäki, Chair of the Nordic Council Committee for Knowledge and Culture

Greenland sets an example

The September meetings mark the start of this autumn’s political events in the Nordic Region. At a seminar on education in Greenland held at Nuuk upper secondary school, the committee learnt about the challenges Greenland faces in terms of distance and education opportunities for young people.  

Karl Kristian Olsen, who is head of unit at the Government of Greenland’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Church and Foreign Affairs explained how the extensive digitalisation of elementary schools is helping to improve education opportunities for young people.

“The municipalities are working together to develop digital teaching methods in Greenland. In the coming years all schools will have equipment installed giving students and teachers access to distance learning and digital education materials.

Many of the areas discussed are familiar to the members of the committee. Johanna Karimäki, chair of the committee, summed up the meetings as follows:

“It’s inspiring to be here in Greenland and listen to how those in the field of culture and education are overcoming the challenges of distance and using digitalisation in social development. These are challenges shared by other areas in the Nordic Region.”

Limited opportunities for young people

The Nordic Institute in Greenland held a lecture on cultural production in Greenland and the potential for children and young people to participate in cultural life.

“Greenland has a sizeable pool of creative talents who want but lack outlets for their creativity in their local environments. There’s a lot still do to in order to develop access to and participation in art and culture for children and young people. Aside from the institutions and the vast distances at play, voluntary institutions and schools of culture have a key role,” explained Mats Bjerde, director of the Nordic Institute in Greenland.

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