Downsizing Maths

Although up to 60% of maths students fail, the institute is planning to reduce group tutorials next year. The reason: cuts in the Institute of Mathematics’ budget. Academic Head of Department, Arne Huseby, says that most of the Institute’s funds are tied up in teaching, and that there is therefore no alternative. Students of information technology Anish Raja and Jamal Hussain are concerned that the failure rate may approach 90% if tutorials are reduced.

Restrictions for Disabled Students

Students on occupational rehabilitation are being pressurized to pursue occupation-oriented studies. Marianne Torp of the Norwegian Students’ Union says that the way the rules are practiced undermines the right to equal education. Students receiving rehabilitation benefits are advised that political science and philosophy are out of the question for them, and that they should choose a more directly occupation-directed course of studies, she says. Rune Greve Bjerke (29), who is disabled following a serious illness, points out that he will need longer to complete his studies than other students. Because he only has completed upper secondary school, he is only allowed vocational training on rehabilitation benefits, and barred from University College – although studying as a regular student on a student loan, which is only intended to last for 10 months of the year, will be impossible for him, as he cannot count on extra earnings from a part-time job .

Cheap Broadband? No thanks.

Upon ending the agreement with NextGenTel as the University’s preferred broad supplier, the University of Oslo has entered a new agreement with Telenor. The supplier Bluecom, which offered a price 25% below Telenor’s offer, was rejected, although Bluecom – unlike Telenor – does not have a lock-in period. The University argues that Telenor may be able to offer the University’s staff and students advantageous offers in the future.