Academic Semester Opening 2025

13. august we start the semester in the traditional way with the Academic Semester Opening.

The Academic Semester Opening is a traditional ceremony that has been held every year since MF was founded in 1908. The highlight of the ceremony is the opening lecture.

This year, the lecture will be given by Kristian Berg Harpviken, Director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute.

The semester opening is open to all students – both new and returning.

Program:

Music: Levi Bergerud Band.

Academic Lecture: Kristian Berg Harpviken, Director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute.

Opening speech: Rector Sturla Stålsett.

Greetings: Frida Skjelbakken, leader of the Student Council

Kristian Berg Harpviken is a trained sociologist and has been affiliated with the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) since 1993, where he also served as Director from 2009 to 2017. Harpviken is especially known for his expertise on Afghanistan and served as Director and Agricultural Coordinator for the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee in Peshawar, Pakistan from 1990 to 1992.

Everyone is warmly welcome!