Strategy 2025 - 2028
Committed to humanity – locally and globally
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Background and University Initiative
VID Specialized University was established in 2016 through the merger of several colleges with roots dating back to 1843. Throughout its long history, VID has been intertwined with a history characterised by pioneering efforts to promote human dignity and social justice in Norway and on the international stage. With a strong emphasis on capacity building and knowledge development, VID has played a vital role in establishing institutions, organisations, and new services within the health and welfare sectors, as well as in the church and wider civil society.
Since adopting its strategic plan for 2018-2028, VID has been committed to becoming a values-based university grounded in universal academic values and ideals, alongside the ecclesiastical and diaconal traditions that define its identity. VID’s strategy for 2025-2028 aims to support its goal of successfully applying for accreditation as a university within this timeframe.
Values foundation
VID is founded on a holistic Christian understanding of humanity and on diaconal values. Every individual possesses inherent dignity and intrinsic worth. VID promotes openness and respect for diverse beliefs, worldviews, and values.
VID seeks to nurture and educate students who pursue truth, engage in critical thinking, and uphold freedom of expression. VID's values can be summarised in the following principles:
Social Mission
VID is dedicated to offering high-quality education and conducting research and professional development at a high international level, in close collaboration with relevant partners and the wider society locally and globally. Our goal is to educate skilled, reflective, and courageous graduates and professionals in health sciences, social studies, theology, diaconal studies, and social sciences.
VID will place a strong emphasis on reducing social inequality, fostering a sense of community, and supporting individuals in vulnerable situations.
Societally relevant study programmes
VID's educational programmes promote lifelong learning, equipping individuals to tackle future challenges with research-based and practice-oriented knowledge while fostering ethical and critical reflection. In close collaboration with relevant sectors of society, VID will continuously develop its programme portfolio to provide the competencies necessary for navigating an ever-changing world. Our dedication to quality assurance will cultivate a culture of excellence that enhances the overall quality of all our study programmes and fosters strong collaboration between faculty and students.
Throughout the period from 2025 to 2028, VID will:
- Offer a sustainable portfolio of programmes that is relevant, accessible, and capable of addressing society's complex challenges.
- Root its study programmes in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
- Highlight global perspectives and exchange opportunities within its educational programmes.
- Strengthen its focus on indigenous peoples and national minorities.
- Enhance the pedagogical competencies of instructors across all academic categories.
- Further develop the physical learning environment and professional forums to provide students with opportunities for academic and personal growth, enabling them to successfully complete their studies.
- Foster collaboration with vocational colleges to facilitate smoother transitions between higher vocational education and VID's programme offerings.
Enhanced research initiatives and innovation efforts
VID is dedicated to conducting independent, open, and innovative research of high integrity and international quality. VID aims to promote and safeguard academic freedom and those who uphold it. VID will give prioritise practice-oriented research, research on social inequalities, people in vulnerable situations, migration, diversity and World Christianity. VID's research will facilitate innovation within the health and welfare sectors.
During the period from 2025 to 2028, VID will:
- Prioritise research that addresses societal challenges on local, national, and global levels, and develop multiple research environments recognised as leaders both nationally and internationally.
- Strengthen efforts to secure external funding for research, including commissioned projects, while prioritising applications directed toward the Research Council of Norway and the EU.
- Enhance collaborations with local communities, public institutions, other higher education establishments, and organisations linked to VID's stakeholders, ensuring co-creation, societal contributions, and innovation in the communities and regions where VID is active.
- Provide career development opportunities through structured pathways for academic staff at various stages of their careers, including opportunities to gain international experience.
- Establish a relevant and attractive PhD programme in health sciences.
- Improve efforts to effectively communicate research findings to a broader audience.
Attractive and development-oriented organisation
VID aims to be an excellent place to study and work, featuring vibrant and appealing campuses. VID values academic engagement, quality awareness, freedom to express ideas, diversity, collegial collaboration, and effective leadership. VID will ensure long-term financial sustainability and the ability to pursue initiatives aligned with its strategy.
From 2025 to 2028, VID will:
- Foster a healthy and supportive learning and working environment where students and staff experience and contribute to professional challenges, a sense of community, job satisfaction, and personal development.
- Ensure long-term financial sustainability that supports high-quality research initiatives, educational offerings, and administrative functions while providing flexibility for future endeavours.
- Maintain adequate expertise and development capacity to implement relevant new technologies that benefit the entire organisation, while effectively managing security, risks, and vulnerabilities across all operations.
- Continue to strengthen collaboration with student governance and labour unions.
- Reduce carbon emissions, promote ecological sustainability throughout all operations, and facilitate environmentally responsible choices for students and staff.
- Enhance VID's engagement in political advocacy, serving as a clear voice in public debates, and creating platforms for discussions that are crucial to society.
Prioritised Sustainable Development Goals
VID is committed to being an active contributor and advocate for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals under Agenda 2030. Based on its history, study programme portfolio, and research efforts, VID will prioritise the following Sustainable Development Goals, emphasising Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
VID's prioritised Sustainable Development Goals are:
