These are running for election in NITO Students
The national meeting on 17-19 April 2026 will elect a new central board and nomination committee in NITO Students.
NITO Students' Central Board consists of the chair, 1st and 2nd deputy chairs and five board members. In addition, the chair and two members of the nomination committee are elected.
The nomination committee nominates candidates in accordance with its mandate.
The nomination committee's recommendation to the leadership trio is:
- Leader: Jarand Byrkjeland
- 1st Deputy Chair: Thomas Kristiansen
- 2nd Deputy Chair: Nora Blekken Furu
The nomination committee's recommendation for other positions is presented at the national meeting. Below you can get to know the leadership candidates better.
Leader
- Jarand Byrkjeland
- Age: 25 years
- Campus: USN Bø
- Field of study: IT and Information Systems
- Year level: 2nd year
- Graduation year: 2027
Jarand Byrkjeland has held several leadership positions in the past, and is currently a member of the central board of NITO Students. He states that through these roles, he has gained solid experience with responsibility, collaboration and leadership, as well as developed good skills in communication and handling responsibility in a good way. He describes himself as a proactive and committed person who thrives on taking initiative and working purposefully for good results.
Jarand believes that experience from leadership positions, studies and leisure activities has given him an understanding of the value of goal-oriented work and discipline, and that he wants to use this experience to make a real difference for NITO students.
As a leader, he wants to strengthen access to relevant courses and certifications for both union representatives and other students. Furthermore, he wants to contribute to a better and more transparent transition from studies to working life, including through increased focus on career development, collaboration with the business community and clear information about rights and opportunities.
He wants NITO Students to be perceived as a relevant and valuable organization for the students, both during their studies and after graduation.
Other candidate (not recommended)
- Birk Tangen
- Age: 26
- Campus: HVL Førde
- Field of study: Information Technology
- Year level: 2nd year
- Graduation year: 2027
Birk Tangen has experience from the central board as 2nd deputy chair. He states that this experience has given him good insight into how the organization works, as well as the challenges and opportunities NITO Students face.
He describes himself as enterprising, motivated and ambitious, and is particularly concerned with strengthening students' rights. Tangen wants NITO Students to be a clearer voice in political issues, and work actively to improve student finances.
As manager, he wants, among other things, to work to link student support to the basic amount (G) to ensure better adjustment in line with inflation. Furthermore, he wants to investigate a scheme with a freed-up deputy leader to strengthen the organization's political work and capacity.
Tangen is also concerned that NITO Students should participate to a greater extent in public debate and be more visible in the media. He emphasizes the importance of an inclusive board, where everyone is seen and heard, and believes this is crucial for good cooperation and good results.
First deputy leader
- Thomas Kristiansen
- Age: 24 years
- Campus: Østfold University College, Fredrikstad
- Field of study: Electrical: Electronics and green energy
- Year level: 3rd year
- Graduation year: 2026 (for bachelor's)
Thomas Kristiansen is running for the position of 1st deputy chair because he himself feels that he is highly motivated for the role and wants to contribute further to NITO Students. He has been active in NITO Students locally for five semesters, and has held positions as board member, deputy chair and local branch leader.
According to Thomas, his involvement in NITO has been of great importance to him, and he now wants to give something back to the organization. He will start his master's studies in the autumn, and sees this as an opportunity to be able to put considerable effort into the position.
Through working life and positions in NITO Students, Thomas believes that he has gained experience with, among other things, coordination, planning, budgeting, union representative roles and science recruitment. He has participated in courses in project management through NITO and his employer, and says that he has been involved in the planning and implementation of various events, as well as contributing to the planning of the NITO Students' stand at the SHE Conference.
During the election period, he wants to work in particular to ensure that NITO becomes the main sponsor of ENT3R, in addition to contributing to a good working environment for union representatives and making it easier to find information, templates and tools in the organization.
Second Deputy Chair
- Nora Blekken Pine
- Age: 22 years
- Campus: Molde University College, Kristiansund
- Field of study: Petroleum Logistics and Economics
- Year level: 2nd year
- Graduation year: 2027
Nora Blekken Furu is running for the position of 2nd deputy chair and describes herself as a structured and committed candidate with a desire to safeguard the students' interests. She has experience from local organizational work, including as deputy chair and leader of local branches, and believes that through these positions she has gained insight into board work, responsibility and cooperation.
As second deputy chair, Nora wants to contribute to a well-functioning central board and be a support for both the leader and other union representatives. She emphasizes good communication and a low threshold for sharing opinions, and wants to contribute to an inclusive working environment.
During the election period, she wants to work for an easier transition from studies to working life, increased awareness of membership benefits, as well as strengthened cooperation between the central board, the local branches and relevant actors in the student cities.