Norway has a new national strategy for ICT research and development (in Norwegian only). The strategy charts out the future course for Norwegian research and innovation activities in a wide variety of areas.
In the new strategy document, the Government points to quality, value creation and benefit to society as areas of particular focus. The strategy encompasses a broad range of sectors and industries and will have a major impact on the growth and prosperity of Norwegian society at large - as evidenced by the fact that it has been signed by a full 15 government ministers.
Incorporates input from Research Council
"The Research Council provided input to the process of drawing up the strategy based on analyses of ongoing research in addition to dialogue with key actors in industry and the rest of society," explains Anne Kjersti Fahlvik, Executive Director of the Research Council's Division for Innovation. "We are pleased to see that our views have been integrated into the strategy."
"One of our clearest recommendations has been to strengthen the foundation for research by focusing on quality, researcher recruitment and the internationalisation of ICT research. Basic research and recruiting researcher talent are critical for the private and public sectors alike."
"The ICT strategy's emphasis on internationalisation of research very much aligns with Research Council philosophy," continues Ms Fahlvik. "Research is by nature international, and we are dependent on access to the best international research as well as top-notch international researchers if we are to satisfy our needs for ICT knowledge."
ICT for social change and innovation
The strategy points out that Norway's social and economic welfare are closely tied to ICT. The document stresses three important areas of focus: information security, ICT in the public sector, and infrastructure in health and health care services.
"Our activities involving innovation in the public sector, in transport and in health and health care services, for instance, clearly demonstrate the important part that ICT plays in relation to organisation, processes, services and products," says Ms Fahlvik. "And we are eager to do even more to expand the role of ICT research in these important areas."
The new national ICT strategy as well as the Research Council's internal ICT strategy and the evaluation of its large-scale programme Core Competence and Value Creation in ICT (VERDIKT) will all be instrumental in shaping the direction of research and innovation efforts in the years to come.
