Molde, 17.02.2021 To: University of the Arctic Letter of Intent for Molde University College to join the UArctic network Molde University College – Specialized University in Logistics (MUC or HiMolde) wishes to become a member of the University of the Arctic (UArctic) network. MUC offers a variety of international study programs (in English) on a bachelor, master, and Ph.D. levels in the areas of Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Sustainable Energy Logistics, Maritime Logistics and Economics, Petroleum Logistics, Sustainable Transport, Economics and Business Administration, Social Change, Organization and Management, and many others. Since 2016, MUC has initiated and ran the UTFORSK project Logistical and environmental management of natural resources, development, and transportation in the Arctic area supported by Diku. The project involved several Norwegian partners (Centre for High North Logistics, SINTEF Ocean, and Møreforsking Molde) and Russian partners (Gubkin University, Higher School of Economics, St. Petersburg State University, and Russian Academy of Sciences) with whom MUC started collaborating within Petroleum Logistics in 2013. Following the goals of the Arctic Logistics UTFORSK project, since 2017, MUC offers a research- based master-level course in Arctic Logistics with active participation from the project partners. The course has attracted a large audience of both students of MUC and visiting students from partner- universities. MUC actively participates in Summer Schools on Arctic Logistics arranged at Gubkin University. Also, certain topics and guest lectures relevant to the specifics of logistics operations in the Arctic region are included in numerous courses in Logistics at MUC. Since 2017, MUC has been arranging regular (twice a year) research workshops on Arctic Logistics both in Russia and Norway. In 2018, MUC organized EURO mini-conference on Logistics Analytics with a stream on Arctic Logistics. In 2020, MUC arranged and coordinated a special stream on Arctic Research within the XXI April International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development. Currently, the results of our research activities within Arctic Logistics include over 40 academic publications, several PhD and master theses and over 50 international scientific conference talks. In 2021, MUC plans to release an anthology Supply Chain Management and Logistics Operations in the Arctic regions: A multiple-perspective approach towards sustainable development published by Routledge. Upon the request from Murmansk State Technical University, with whom MUC closely cooperates on Logistics since 2018, MUC has supported the development of the Thematic Network “Arctic Transport and Logistics (ATraL)” under the UArctic in 2019 where MUC has been playing a substantial role. MUC’s main interests in joining the UArctic network lie in opening greater opportunities for collaboration with more partners and at the same time, offering our existing competence to the UArctic partners. MUC’s goal is to continue to build competence in Arctic Logistics, strengthen the connections between higher education and research, instigate the student mobility, study program internationalization – ultimately to boost the joint research in Offshore and Energy Logistics in the Arctic that would be beneficial for the industry, environment, and social needs of the Arctic Council countries. Professor Steinar Kristoffersen Rector of Molde University College Home page Visiting Address Postal Address Telephone Telefax VAT-number www.himolde.no Britvegen 2, MOLDE PO.Box 2110, 6402 MOLDE, NORWAY 71 21 40 00 71 21 41 00 00971 555 483 Side 2 av 2 2021 UARCTIC MEMBERSHIP APPLICANT – PROFILE Applicant: Molde University College Country: Norway Membership Category: Arctic Member Membership Type: Higher Education Institution Profile Description: Molde University College – Specialized University in Logistics (MUC or HiMolde) is the leading higher educational institution in Norway offering education in Logistics. Logistics deals with the organization of flows of products, services, and information in various networks, infrastructures, and supply chains, essentially coordinating all the process flows from raw materials to the end-user. Logistics builts upon a broad spectrum of disciplines, like economics, business administration, industrial organization, management, information technology / computer science, data analytics, engineering, and operations research. HiMolde occupies a modern-looking complex of buildings with high-tech interior and classrooms that are fully equipped for offering top-quality education at bachelor, master, and PhD-levels in three faculties: Logistics; Business Administration and Social Sciences; and Health Sciences and Social Care. Many programs, especially those in Logistics, are taught in English. HiMolde also has an additional campus in a neighboring city of Kristiansund. Molde is close to many of Norway’s remarkable sights, like the Atlantic Road, Trollvegen and Trollstigen (the Troll Wall and the serpentine mountain road), and the Romsdalseggen ridge. Despite being a small place, the city attracts lovers of nature with its alluring hiking trails, the lovers of fine cuisine – with delicious meals of freshly caught seafood, and lovers of culture – with many annual music and literature festivals. Social life at HiMolde is specially tailored for the internationalization of education. In addition to various Opening Week activities (to help the new Norwegian and international students integrate into the community at HiMolde), events like International Day have also become a tradition. These activities help the students and staff exchange their experiences about their home countries, the participants see different traditional outfits and taste delicious food from the European, African and Asian countries. HiMolde’s vast connections with businesses and academia throughout Europe and globally instigate the high-quality, cutting-edge multi- disciplinary and practice-oriented research in logistics, which is especially relevant to challenging areas like the Arctic. The publication rate at HiMolde is one of the highest among Norwegian universities. HiMolde’s motto is "Knowledge for sustainability and innovation". Strategic Thematic Focus Areas: Logistics and Operations Research; Supply Chain Management; Sustainable Energy Logistics; Business Analytics. Fields of Study: Economics, Social and behavioural science (others), Business and administration (broad programmes), Management and administration, Business and administration (others), Mathematics and statistics (broad programmes), Computer science, Electricity and energy, Manufacturing and processing (broad programmes), Nursing and caring, Social services (broad programmes), Sports, Transport services (broad programmes)..