Project partners discussed current master programmes which can be the basis for the joint programme and international initiatives on environmental issues in the Arctic. During the meeting NArFU presented 5 courses as electives for UiT programme “Safety and Environmental Management”. The workload of the course package is 30 ECTS, so UiT students can opt to apply for an exchange semester at NArFU.

As a result of the meeting participants produced a preliminary draft of the joint master programme of the four universities – UiT, NArFU, MSHU, MSTU – “Environmental Management in the Arctic” (120 ECTS). The new interdisciplinary programme covers Arctic ecology issues, environmental monitoring and innovative technologies in pollution prevention and response in the vulnerable Arctic ecosystems. Graduates of the programme will acquire knowledge in international ecological law and management. This is especially relevant in the context of growing interest in the environmental protection and the strong demand for highly competent staff able to meet the challenges in the Arctic.

Within the joint master programme NArFU will have a leading role in developing 3 of 8 compulsory courses of the programme in total for 20 ECTS, NArFU will also participate in the development of two more 10-ECTS courses.