Djupedal receives slashing review

This is indicated by a survey carried out by Sentio on behalf of Universitas and Norsk Studentunion (NSU), the Norwegian union of students. Only 17.9 per cent of the respondents feel that Djupedal and the Government are putting enough efforts into academics, and only 0.5 per cent feel that they are doing too much. An astounding 52.4 per cent hold that government initiatives to improve higher education are unsatisfactory.

NSU leader Jørn Henriksen is not surprised:

– This Government has yet to set its mark on higher education. The only thing that has changed is the fact that cuts have been made in research, Henriksen says.

He feels that the election promises made by the parties in office have so far been ignored.

– The Ministry of Education and Research has to work within the Government to obtain higher education funding, Henriksen says.

Broken promises

Judging from political preferences, voters from the government parties are the least satisfied with Djupedal whereas only 13 per cent of voters from the Conservative Party of Norway (Høyre) hold that the Minister has put enough efforts into academics.

– Our voters are interested in funding of research and higher education, Ine Marie Eriksen (Høyre) says, who is leader of the Standing Committee on Education, Research and Church Affairs.

She leaves little hope for an abrupt turn for a large commitment to academics in the foreseeable future.

– Djupedal has already cut one billion (NOK) in research funding. This has to dealt with before any talk of new initiatives are in order, Eriksen explains, who furthermore thinks that the election promises of the parties in office have not been put into action.

– Contributions to kindergartens have been noticed by most people, but it could take years before the effects of the cuts in research are noticeable.

– Was it a good idea to increase the Minister’s responsibility?

– Yes, but the timing was wrong. Djupedal will now be implementing four major reforms- that’s no picnic, Eriksen says.

Clearer Clemet

Sentio carried out the same survey in December 2004. Back then, 20 per cent more responded that higher education funding was satisfactory.

– It was easier to detect whether former Minister of Education and Research Kristin Clemet had won or lost internal governmental battles, Jørn Henriksen thinks.

However, current Minister of Education and Research Øystein Djupedal himself is unaffected by the findings of this survey.

– I probably would have responded in the same way. This is neither criticism towards me, nor the Government, but a general interest in academic funding, Djupedal thinks, who underlines that there has never before been put more money into research and higher education.

– Ine Marie Eriksen thinks you have put all your money into kindergartens?

– I cannot take Eriksen seriously. She is trapped inside a classic oppositional role, Djupedal says.

The Minister believes there is no room these days for the extensive measures possible when Kristin Clemet was in office.

– The Quality Reform is currently being assessed. We will not undertake any measures before the Message from the Storting next spring, Djupedal says.

– What do you think of the fact that a majority preferred Clemet’s initiatives?

– It is important to bear in mind that the survey in question was carried out mid-term whereas we have only been at it for a half year. I do not perceive this to be critical of the Government.