NTNU to Make Room for More Engineering Students

This is how NTNU hopes to contribute to solving Norway’s shortage of engineers.

“To contribute to solving this problem in the short-term, we’re increasing our admission of international master students by 300,” writes Johan Einar Hustad, the deputy director for innovation and external relations, on the NTNU directorate blog.

It is estimated that Norwegian industry lacks 16,000 engineers. NTNU will contribute to solving this problem by inviting international bachelor students to obtain their master’s in Norway. The instruction is in English and there is no required knowledge of Norwegian. In this way, NTNU can educate new engineers more quickly.

“In the long run, NTNU is expanding its admission of new engineering students by 250 students a year, but it’s impossible to suddenly educate so many engineers,” says Hustad in Teknisk Ukeblad , a weekly technology magazine.

He wants to dispel the myth that international students leave Norway after completing their degree.

“Research shows that foreign students who complete a PhD in Norway, remain here and get jobs in Norwegian industry. With a Norwegian master’s degree, we’re preparing them to meet the Norwegian job marked,” he says.

Hustad also writes on the directorate’s website that Norwegian businesses must do their fair share of the work, by offering jobs, projects and stipend arrangements to make themselves more attractive.

“It will be a national project which will have a huge social and economic value. NTNU guarantees quality, industry will guarantee jobs,” he says.

Hustad tells Under Dusken that the increased admission of international students will not be at a cost to the existing master’s students.

“These two year master’s programs offer the most flexibility while still guaranteeing NTNU’s high quality of education, but they are still anchored in the university’s established academic communities.”