The Rector Debate: How are universities mitigating inequalities in access to knowledge?

As always, the rectors at the Norwegian universities behind the SDG Conference Bergen will close the conference by discussing the role of research and higher education for the SDGs. Last year the rectors discussed the report “Sharing of best practice for the SDGs” and outlined ambitious goals for educational reforms. How far has this work come? What has been achieved?

This year’s conference has discussed the need to work systematically with the science to society nexus and need for universities to work much more rigorously in communication of science. As keynote speaker of the SDG Conference Bergen 2021, Professor Daya Reddy, states, equitable access to scientific knowledge is central to achieving developmental objectives in a fully participatory manner. How are universities mitigating inequalities in access to knowledge nationally and globally?

Participants:

• Rector Svein Stølen, University of Oslo
• Rector Anne Husebekk, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway
• Rector Sjur Baardsen, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
• Rector Anne Borg, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
• Rector Margareth Hagen, University of Bergen
• Andreas Trohjell, President, National Union of Students in Norway (NSO)