The document contains goals and obligations that concretize and complement OsloMet’s strategies, as well as specific priorities for TKD.
The overarching strategic goal for TKD is to take advantage of and make use of the added value stemming from the broad range of academic fields at the faculty. We aim to be more than just the sum of our disciplines, and our unique composition is our strength.
A lot of what is important to TKD is not addressed in the strategic action plan. The plan highlights the most important for TKD during the period and will provide guidance in the event of having to set difficult priorities. There will also be opportunities and challenges ahead of us that we cannot predict at the start of the strategy period.
The strategic action plan includes a total of seven main goals, split into three areas. Two goals have been formulated within the area of education, three goals relate to research and development and two goals will contribute to improving the area of societal improvement and collaboration.
Innovation is a natural part of the academic activities at TKD. In this plan, innovation is linked to societal improvement to specify its use and utility value.
The number of obligations for each goal varies as the goals are different and the obligations are detailed to varying degrees. Some obligations will require many initiatives to be fulfilled, while others already are very close to constituting a specific activity in and of itself.
To achieve the goals and obligations set out in the strategic action plan, TKD has adopted an action plan that is regularly updated throughout the period.
Education
Students should thrive and succeed while at TKD and in their future endeavours. OsloMet’s sub-strategy for education emphasizes campus-based study programme, a vibrant social student life, students feeling connected to their academic communities, and learning activities that engage students.
Education Goal 1 in this strategic action plan is a direct continuation of the commitments in the sub-strategy for education.
Education Goal 2 is a specific TKD initiative, justified by the many newly established study programmes and rapidly evolving academic fields.
Education Goal 1: The students will succeed academically and socially at TKD
Students who enrol in a programme at TKD should be able to excel, no matter their background or previous experience. Teaching activities are to be based on the latest knowledge about learning, allowing for creative and responsible experimentation by both instructors and students.
TKD will work to further develop the physical learning environment, aiming for social well-being and increased collaboration among students as well as between students and staff.
TKD commits to
- being known for a supportive learning environment, characterized by close contact between staff and students
- offering students high-quality learning activities that motivate effort and support high academic standards
- strengthening the role of study programme coordinators and supporting programme-initiated initiatives
- emphasizing the collective responsibility of academic environments for both the academic and pedagogical coherence of study programmes
- collaborating with student organizations within TKD, aiming to establish more student societies, and promoting and supporting social student life
- engaging student mentors and student assistants to aid students’ learning and facilitate their transition to higher education
- providing students with opportunities to interact with the job market
Education Goal 2: TKD is dedicated to providing study programmes that are attractive and meet societal needs
Educating students to meet the demands of the job market is a crucial societal mission. Achieving this goal requires ongoing efforts to maintain high-quality education and visibility, ensuring robust national and international recruitment for our study programmes. Both current and alumni students can play a significant role in supporting these efforts.
Application trends, student numbers, and academic developments in our fields will also influence the development of the study portfolio.
The sub-strategy for education commits us to focusing particularly on continuing education within the professional programmes we offer. OsloMet’s strategy commits all study programmes to educate students who can update their own competencies, exercise critical thinking, and contribute to solving sustainability challenges within their field.
TKD commits to
- conducting targeted recruitment efforts tailored to our applicant groups and further developing recruitment schemes that provide more opportunities for admission to our programmes
- implementing measures and, if necessary, discontinuing study programmes and specializations that have consistently low enrolment over time
- offering continuing education programmes for and in collaboration with the professional sector, with a particular focus on engineering and practical-aesthetic subjects
- collaborating with students, working life and internal academic communities to further develop our study programmes
Research and development
TKD’s strategic action plan for research and development is anchored in OsloMet’s sub-strategy for high-quality research. Research should be driven by scientific curiosity and a desire to provide important knowledge for society.
Research should develop empirical, theoretical and methodological insights that reflect the interdisciplinary composition and structure at TKD.
TKD will conduct interdisciplinary research as well as research within each field of study, including artistic research.
TKD’s profile allows us to develop the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary aspects of our fields of study, across OsloMet faculties and centres and in collaboration with society, business and cultural life.
Research and Development Goal 1: TKD will have active and visible researchers and research groups producing scientific research of high quality
The OsloMet strategy and the sub-strategy for research and development emphasize the importance of ensuring academic freedom to exchange, develop and challenge knowledge and obtain new insights.
Research at OsloMet should be of high quality, relevant to solving the challenges encountered by society and contribute to improving the educational programmes and professions we educate for.
TKD commits to
- facilitating scientific meeting places and dialogue between researchers and research groups to preserve both interdisciplinary and specialist knowledge
- having researchers and research groups that are considered attractive partners both nationally and internationally
- continuously developing the TKD’s research groups and research environments in line with academic and societal needs
- providing research group leaders with the opportunity to develop their academic competence in research management
- giving students the opportunity to participate in and learn about research at TKD through study programmes at all levels
Research and Development Goal 2: TKD will offer PhD programmes of high quality and satisfied students
The TKD’s PhD programmes cover a broad range of fields of study and traditions. They should be highly sought-after and innovative and attract applicants from other academic communities at OsloMet, the private and public sector, industry, cultural and business life, as well as research institutions and academia in general.
TKD commits to
- offering PhD candidates a safe and inclusive scientific and psychosocial environment for work and study
- ensuring that we offer both interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research
- including PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows in academic communities and research groups
- strengthening academic supervision skills to ensure positive supervisiory relationships throughout the PhD programme
- providing working conditions that promote academic collaboration and wellbeing for PhD candidates
Research and Development Goal 3: TKD will have a culture of knowledge-sharing, openness and continuous development
TKD will ensure that specialists have venues in which to meet, get to know one another and explore potential collaborations. In this way, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and innovation may develop through encounters between the academic communities.
Transdisciplinary means including knowledge from different stakeholders and fields of practice, including those outside of academia, to establish insights that are not bound to a single tradition or discipline.
TKD commits to
- promoting venues that stimulate an open sharing culture across the academic communities at TKD
- having a project portfolio that utilises the academic and scientific breadth of TKD
- promoting research ethics, research integrity and critical thinking
- maintaining a culture that encourages the scientific community to develop knowledge responding to major challenges in contemporary society
- promoting dissemination of research within academia as well as in other environments
Societal Improvement and Collaboration
Complex global challenges require increased expertise on innovation and close collaboration with society. TKD will contribute to solving societal challenges through collaboration with the cultural and business sectors, public and private.
Collaborations and partnerships will be of high quality, relevant and innovative, and will also have a direct impact on society.
TKD will build relationships between education, academic research and practical social improvements.
The OsloMet sub-strategy for societal improvement and collaboration places emphasis on dissemination, innovation and sustainability.
TKD is particularly well positioned to achieve these goals due to our academic composition.
Societal Improvement and Collaboration Goal 1: TKD employees will be active communicators
TKD’s employees will build relationships with society and relevant fields through active dialogue.
Research should also be disseminated to target groups outside the field of study in question. Artistic work will be presented within the professional field and elsewhere as relevant.
TKD commits to
- through dialogue and interaction, contributing knowledge about technology, art and design for the benefit of society
- enabling specialists to disseminate their research to different target groups through dedicated venues
- having specialists that participate in and take a position on current societal debates
Societal Improvement and Collaboration Goal 2: TKD will contribute to sustainable innovation for the benefit of society
Research and educational programmes at TKD are also developed through work on problems and challenges originating outside of academia.
Presence and dialogue are prerequisites for succeeding as a relevant stakeholder in society.
TKD commits to
- being a clear voice on issues related to ethics and sustainabilitypromoting knowledge and competence on sustainable innovation, fostering a culture of experimental practice and critical reflection
- engaging in the development of the future society, through collaboration and interaction on the challenges encountered within the metropolitan region
- facilitating interaction between working life, students and academic communities to develop innovation expertise that is relevant to business and industry, culture and society
