We live in a constantly changing world. Comparing the Faculty today with how the Faculty was ten years ago, we have, in many ways, changed quite a lot. The developments over these years are mainly a sum of many small changes, although some larger adjustments have been made, e.g. within our education programs. The sum of inflicted and self-induced changes has been reasonably normal, but in spring 2020, we were exposed to the consequences of the corona virus' global rampage. The last few months have been far from normal. In what ways have we evolved and how do we work when this crisis is over?
In the middle of the spring semester, everyday life changed radically. In just a few days we had to considerably change the way we work and live. We have worked through new and demanding challenges and together we have delivered a formidable spring for and with our students and staff. Thank you for your efforts and, not least, thank you for your efforts for each other across our organization. We have met the challenges the corona virus situation put us through and we have done so at a high level, although at times it has been challenging, and still is for many students and employees.
Furthermore, it is important to emphasize the importance of what we do and have done beyond ourselves. As employees of an internationally leading research-intensive university, we are constantly contributing to the development of society, both nationally and internationally. This work has intensified over the past few months. We, with our deep knowledge of the breadth of science, have most likely contributed far more than we are able to imagine.
This has been a semester where we have learned a lot. All lessons are helpful, but what should we take with us into the future? What helps lift us further, both individually and collectively? What have we learned about our role in the development of the society? These are questions we can and should reflect on throughout the summer and into the fall. For my own part and on behalf of the Faculty, I spend a lot of time on these and other related issues.
It is easy to imagine that we will continue to meet through digital channels, that digital teaching will become a bigger part of everyday life for teachers and students, that the physical workplace will be more fragmented, etc. However, we will also go back to meeting physically and travel to meet our colleagues around the world.
What is interesting, however, is whether something deeper will happen to us as individuals, to us as an organization, and to the society we are part of. Do we take the opportunity to create sustainable societal development more quickly? I think so, but it will require a lot of us, both individually and collectively. Maybe it will also require a little extra from us at the University of Oslo, mainly because we are employees of an internationally leading research-intensive university. Should a new and sustainable normality arise I am convinced that the knowledges and abilities students and staff at the University have gained during this crisis will be of crucial importance.
This summer, we might reflect a little bit more about just these things. Anyway, we will meet an exciting semester this autumn.
Have a great summer!