Abstract
The University of Tromsø in Northern Norway merged in 2009 and 2013 with two smaller university colleges in the region. Both mergers were voluntary and initiated by the institutions themselves. In this chapter, we describe and analyse these mergers. We look into their background, the merger processes, their different characteristics, and their outcomes. The chapter also highlights factors that facilitated and complicated the mergers, such as institutional distinctiveness, size, complementarity, and geographical distance. The mergers have created a more hybrid, multi-campus university that is more challenging to manage and coordinate. The processes have been time-consuming and required considerable resources. Nevertheless, the overall conclusion is that these mergers have been beneficial in terms of teaching, research, regional engagement, and the attractiveness of the institutions. A main finding is that institutional context and leadership are of critical importance in higher education mergers.
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Notes
- 1.
It should be noted that the two authors of this chapter have been active participants in the merger processes. Tove Bull was the Rector of the University of Tromsø from 1996 to 2001, and a member of the Board of Finnmark University College from 2003 to 2007, while Peter Arbo was a member of the University Board from 2005 to 2008 and also a member of the Stjernø Committee.
- 2.
Usually abbreviated to UiT The Arctic University of Norway.
- 3.
The University of Tromsø started its commercial pilot education in 2008, and the bachelor’s degree programme in Aviation is run at Bardufoss.
- 4.
Still, more than two thirds of the students come from the region.
- 5.
The strategic plan is available on http://en.uit.no/om/art?p_document_id=377752&dim=179033
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Arbo, P., Bull, T. (2016). Mergers in the North: The Making of the Arctic University of Norway. In: Pinheiro, R., Geschwind, L., Aarrevaara, T. (eds) Mergers in Higher Education. Higher Education Dynamics, vol 46. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21918-9_7
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