- We are pleased that the University of Oslo's board has decided to continue the initiative. In the next period, we will continue our work to strengthen interdisciplinary research and education, to contribute to the utilization of knowledge and to promote an inclusive, inviting, and development-oriented culture within the life science area. In the long run, the initiative will contribute to securing and enhancing the University of Oslo's national and international competitiveness in the life sciences, states Øyvind Fylling-Jensen, chair of the UiO:Life Science board.
The interdisciplinary initiative UiO:Life Science was established in 2015, and is UiO's largest strategic interdisciplinary initiative. UiO:Life Science was established to strengthen quality and collaboration in research; as well as recruiting, educating and developing talents, and promoting innovation in the life sciences for the environment and health. Initially, the investment had a five-year perspective, until 2020. Now, the University of Oslo's board has formally decided to extend the initiative until 2029.
Since its establishment, 20 convergence environments have been created, and UiO:Life Science has funded a total of 74 PhD and postdoctoral positions in connection with these interdisciplinary research groups. A new call for convergence environments will be announced during autumn 2024. The Life Science Building, where extensive interdisciplinary collaboration will contribute to solving major societal challenges in health and sustainability, is under construction, and the relocation process will begin in 2026. The innovation programme SPARK Norway has so far admitted 46 innovation projects, and a new call will be announced in August/September 2024. The Norway Life Science Conference has been established as a preferred meeting place for researchers, industry, and decision-makers and is planned again on 11–12 February, 2025.