# University of Agder

> NLA University College

**Wikidata**: [Q1470769](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1470769)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Agder)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/university-of-agder

## Summary
The University of Agder (UiA) is a public research university in Norway, established in 1994 as a university college and granted full university status in 2007. Located primarily in Kristiansand, it serves over 14,000 students and employs approximately 1,554 staff, offering a range of academic programs and contributing to regional and national research initiatives.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 1994 (as a university college); became a full university on September 1, 2007.
- **Location**: Main campus in Kristiansand, Norway, with a secondary campus in Grimstad.
- **Leadership**: Rector Sunniva Whittaker (as of latest data).
- **Students**: 14,096 enrolled as of 2022.
- **Employees**: 1,554 staff members as of 2022.
- **Budget**: 1 billion Norwegian krone (NOK).
- **Affiliations**: Member of the European University Association and the Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions.

## FAQs
### Q: When did the University of Agder become a full university?
A: The institution was established as a university college in 1994 and officially became a full university on September 1, 2007.

### Q: How many students attend the University of Agder?
A: As of 2022, the university has 14,096 students enrolled across its campuses.

### Q: What are the main academic focus areas of the University of Agder?
A: The university offers programs in business, engineering, health and social studies, humanities, and fine arts, with a strong emphasis on research and innovation.

## Why It Matters
The University of Agder plays a critical role in Norway’s higher education and research landscape, particularly in the southern region. As one of the country’s youngest universities, it has rapidly expanded its academic offerings and research output, focusing on areas such as technology, health sciences, and humanities. Its transition from a university college to a full university in 2007 marked a significant milestone in Norway’s educational policy, reflecting the institution’s growth in academic rigor and societal impact. The university contributes to workforce development, regional economic growth, and international collaboration, positioning itself as a key player in both national and global academic communities.

## Notable For
- **Merger History**: Formed through the consolidation of multiple regional colleges, including the Kristiansand Teacher Training College and Agder Conservatory of Music.
- **Campus Structure**: Operates two main campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad, supporting diverse academic programs.
- **Research Focus**: Recognized for research in fields such as computer science, health studies, and renewable energy.
- **International Membership**: Part of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (COARA) and the European University Association (EUA).

## Body
### History
- **Establishment**: Founded on August 1, 1994, through the merger of several regional colleges, including the Kristiansand Teacher Training College and the Agder Conservatory of Music.
- **University Status**: Granted full university status by the Norwegian government on September 1, 2007, enabling it to award doctoral degrees.

### Organization
- **Legal Form**: Governed as a state-owned public university under the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research.
- **Rector**: Sunniva Whittaker serves as the current rector, overseeing academic and administrative operations.

### Academics
- **Programs**: Offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across five faculties: Business School, Engineering and Science, Health and Social Studies, Humanities, and Fine Arts.
- **Students**: Serves 14,096 students as of 2022, with a diverse range of disciplines.

### Research
- **Focus Areas**: Key research areas include health and welfare, technology and engineering, and social sciences, with collaboration with industry partners and international institutions.
- **Affiliations**: Participates in networks such as the European University Association and the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment.

### Infrastructure
- **Campuses**: Primary campus in Kristiansand and a secondary campus in Grimstad, providing modern facilities for teaching, research, and student activities.
- **Budget**: Operates with an annual budget of 1 billion NOK, supporting academic programs, research initiatives, and infrastructure development.

### Digital Presence
- **Social Media**: Active on platforms including Twitter (@uiagder), Instagram (@uiagder), and YouTube (Universitetet i Agder), with over 4,500 followers on Twitter as of 2021.
- **Website**: Primary domain at [www.uia.no](http://www.uia.no), serving as a hub for institutional information and resources.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/offisielt-fra-statsradet-10-august-2007/id477340/)
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](https://eua.eu/about/member-directory.html)
5. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20231109092552/https://coara.eu/coalition/membership/)
6. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240429162301/https://www.uhr.no/om/medlemmer-og-medlemskriterier/)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Czech National Authority Database
9. MusicBrainz
10. [Source](https://www.uhr.no/om/medlemmer-og-medlemskriterier/)
11. [Source](http://www.uia.no)
12. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
13. GRID Release 2015-12-14
14. GRID Release 2016-12-06
15. Quora
16. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
17. [Source](https://apps.db.ripe.net/search/lookup.html?source=ripe&key=2001:700:1500::/47&type=inet6num)
18. YouTube API
19. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph