National budget: NITO's student leader rejoices over NOK 120 million for engineering programmes
"We are very pleased that the government is raising recruitment and quality in engineering education," says Jarand Byrkjeland, leader of NITO Students.
In the government's proposal for the national budget on Wednesday, they propose increased funding for engineering studies to strengthen alternative admission pathways and the quality of education.
"These are measures NITO Students and NITO have been asking for over time, and we are incredibly happy that the government has listened to us and the academic communities," says Byrkjeland.
Norway does not educate enough science skills to meet the skills needs of the future. The alternative admission pathways are important for strengthening recruitment and developing the skills Norway needs.
Jarand Byrkjeland, leader of NITO Students.
Important recruitment route
The alternative admission routes are science courses, pre-courses, the Y-pathway and the three-semester scheme. These will be lifted as part of the government's initiative. About a third of the engineering students who started in the years 2018 – 2021.
"Vocational education has become larger than specialization in general studies, and fewer people qualify for engineering studies straight from upper secondary school. This means that the need to finance the admission pathways has become more important over time," he says.
The student leader believes it is positive that the government is now coming on board to meet future skills needs.
"Norway does not educate enough science skills to meet the skills needs of the future. The alternative admission routes are important for strengthening recruitment and developing the skills Norway needs," says Byrkjeland.
Increases in student support according to the National Insurance basic amount
"It is positive that the government is proposing to increase student support according to the development of the National Insurance basic amount (G)," says Jarand Byrkjeland.
"This provides financial predictability that is important to ensure that higher education is attractive over time," the student leader concludes.
