The Spring YERUN General Assembly (GA) took place in a truly special setting this year: Kongsberg, a charming and historic town in south-eastern Norway. Hosted from 17 to 19 March by the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN)—one of YERUN’s member institutions with eight campuses—the GA brought together representatives from across the network in an inspiring environment, where snow-dusted mountains provided a memorable welcome.
Participants were greeted by Pia Bing-Jonsson, Rector of USN, and Heidi Tovsrud Knutsen, Special Advisor to the Rector and YERUN Coordinator. Rector Bing-Jonsson introduced USN’s development, highlighting the university’s strong regional engagement across its campuses and its vital role within surrounding ecosystems. A student perspective was then shared by Ada Margrethe Seim, USN student representative, offering valuable insights into the student experience and engagement within the institution.
The importance of collaboration between academia and local communities was further emphasised by Line Spiten, Mayor of Kongsberg, who underlined how such partnerships generate tangible benefits for citizens and regional development. This topic was deepened by presentations from Professor Kristin Falk and Associate Professor Thomas Brekke, who provided an insightful overview of USN’s work in regional value creation and innovation.
The afternoon continued with a visit to the National Centre for Optics, Vision and Eye Care, where participants discovered how students are trained not only to assess visual health but also to design and produce customised optical solutions. During the visit, Professor Rigmor Baraas and Associate Professor Ellen Svarverud introduced the SNOW Study, part of USN’s broader Eye & Vision research programme. This longitudinal study explores how children’s vision, motor skills, and refractive development interact with health and learning throughout their schooling years in South-Eastern Norway.
The day concluded with a visit to the historic Kongsberg Silver Mines, descending deep underground to explore centuries of mining history. The experience offered a fascinating glimpse into the region’s heritage and its lasting influence on local communities.
The second day featured parallel workshops for YERUN Leaders and Coordinators, focusing on key strategic topics. A joint session with Niall Lawlor, Policy Officer at DG RTD, European Commission, on dual-use in the context of the next EU framework programme, set the stage for discussions. YERUN Leaders then engaged in a two-part workshop: an exchange with Dr Ellen Tuset, Vice President Common Technologies at Kongsberg Discovery, who shared industry perspectives on dual-use, defence, and funding; and a discussion with Associate Professor Elisabet Syverud, Dean at USN’s Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences, on institutional approaches to dual-use. Meanwhile, YERUN Coordinators reflected on past collaborations within the network and explored future priorities to strengthen cooperation across member institutions.
The day concluded with a visit to the Norwegian Mining Museum, where participants explored the renowned silver collection and continued informal discussions.
On the third day, the YERUN General Assembly meeting brought leaders together to discuss key topics for the network’s future, including the Work Plan 2026, potential new memberships, and financial planning.
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The YERUN Brussels Office extends its sincere thanks to all members for their active participation and to the exceptional hosts at USN, especially Pia Bing-Jonsson and Heidi Tovsrud Knutsen, or their warm welcome and excellent organisation.
We now look forward to the next YERUN General Assembly, which will take place in Toruń, Poland.
