This article was originally published on 03 May 2021
“Experience has shown that the establishment of a university will have major ripple effects and develop competence and innovation throughout the region. I would argue that achieving university status will be one of the most important events in the region for decades,” says Svenkerud.
Crucial for the institution’s development
The new rector emphasises that the university accreditation application has been extensively worked on for several years, and that he will take over the very final stage of the process.
He views the university accreditation ambition as crucial for INN University's further development in an education sector that is becoming increasingly international and competitive.
“As a university, we can attract further desirable competence that can strengthen both research and educational quality,” says Peer Jacob Svenkerud. “We will not merely become a university. We will be a high-quality university that shall make a name for itself nationally and internationally.”
Desired cooperation
It is very important to Svenkerud that the current institution – and the future university – would be a key regional player that makes a difference.
The role as a partner for business and industry actors in the region is also central to INN University’s strategy, which is being finalised these days.
“We must show that the institution and our partners can create more together than we can separately. As a university, we must be known for extensive collaboration with our surroundings. We will be a driving force in the development of society and in the cooperation between our own institution and partners in business and industry, both in the public and the private sector,” says the new rector of INN University.
Extensive managerial experience
Peer Jacob Svenkerud is 54 years old and has extensive managerial experience. He enters his new role following a position as dean at Inland School of Business and Social Sciences.
He has previously been dean at Hedmark University College, and has held positions at director level in, among others, Norsk Tipping, Telenor, and Burson Marsteller.
He has studied at both Concordia College and Michigan State University in the USA, has a doctorate in organisational communication from Ohio University, as well as management education from, among others, Harvard Business School, the Norwegian Defence University College and the Norwegian School of Economics.
“I have managerial experience from large organisations, and from knowledge organisations. The latter is important for a rector at an academic institution where the employees’ knowledge is the basis for everything we produce,” says Svenkerud.