History, profile, vision and mission

VID Specialized University was established on January 1, 2016 after the merger between four diaconal university colleges. The purpose was to create a larger, better and more effective institution within the private, non-profit segment of the university- and university college sector in Norway.

The history of VID is based on diaconal and missional pioneer work from 1843, making VID the oldest private institution of higher education in Norway.

In line with tradition and future national and global societal needs, VID’s vision and mission is to be:

A value-based and church based specialized university with high academic teaching- and research ambitions relevant to society and the church.

Thus, VID will educate leaders and professionals for service in the health, social and educational sectors and the church through programmes of higher education and by conducting research, development and innovation on a high international level within health- and social sciences, pedagogy, culture- and social studies, management, diakonia and theology.

VID’s education portfolio and research engagements embody the Christian diaconal tradition and offer a unique contribution to professional practice within the University’s sectors and disciplines.

VID offers programmes of professional studies within nursing, occupational therapy, social education, family therapy, diakonia and theology, in addition to a number of other programmes at Bachelor, Master and continuing education levels. VID offers two PhD programmes: Diakonia, Values and Professional Practice and Theology and Religion.

Values and slogan

VID’s core values are:

• Holistic perspective on humanity
• Commitment to solidarity
• Future-oriented knowledge

Based on these core values, VID’s slogan is:

Committed to humanity – locally and globally