Strategy 2035 - Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering
Strategy 2026 - 2035
Openness and collaboration – in a time of transition
The world is changing – politically, societally, economically, environmentally and technologically. We find ourselves in a time of transition and upheaval.
We need to be able to develop our disciplines and academic communities in step with the many profound changes taking place. In close collaboration with wider society, we must nurture creativity and contribute to innovation and entrepreneurship.
Our goal is to be an attractive academic community that attaches importance to openness and collaboration, to be at the forefront of our fields, and to contribute to sustainable technological development and digital quality of life.
We teach and develop knowledge and technology that transform everyday life and jobs. We make important contributions to society and for individuals. The Faculty’s disciplines in mathematics, digitalisation, electrical energy, cybernetics, cyber security, computer science and electronics will become even more important in the years ahead. Disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology will increasingly shape our lives.
Our research and technology development have many areas of application. As an academic community, we constitute part of Norway’s knowledge preparedness. Issues related to dual-use technologies will require more from us in the next decade.
Our role will be to contribute to:
- improving everyday life for individuals and society alike
- enabling our students to discover their strengths and develop their abilities
- strengthening competitiveness and ability to adapt in Norwegian working life
- understanding and communicating what is true and false in a new technological reality
In an era marked by change, our values are put to the test. This is why openness and collaboration are important. We will be courageous and clear – and contribute to knowledge for a better world.
Content
Department strategies at IE
Related resources
We cover key academic fields within digitalisation, electrical engineering and mathematics.
As per 2026, we produce approximately 1,600 bachelor’s and master’s graduates and 100 PhD graduates each year and have a total student population of 8,000.
We have campuses in Trondheim, Gjøvik, and Ålesund and consist of seven departments. The departments’ academic areas include computer science and informatics, electrical energy, electronic systems, ICT and natural sciences, information security and communication technology, mathematical sciences, and engineering cybernetics. We also host the National Centre for Science Recruitment, as well as several research centres.
Ambitions
The strategy builds on the three ambitions of NTNU 2035 and outlines how the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering will contribute to achieving them. These ambitions relate to academic quality, to the role as an employer and place of study, and to how the technological disciplines are to contribute to sustainable societal development.
Ambition 1: We will strengthen our leading position within the Faculty’s academic fields
The Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering strengthens its leading international position within both research and education. Our disciplines enhance NTNU’s core profile and academic breadth. We attach importance to international collaboration and close interaction with society. We have strategic leeway, allowing us to invest in strategically important technology areas such as autonomous systems, advanced semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence, quantum technology and electrification.
Our research and education are central to the major societal transformations of the coming years. We contribute to a digitalised, secure and sustainable society, and we develop fundamental knowledge and new methods within our fields. We foster curiosity-driven basic research and create new technology. We promote open science and increase research capacity through external funding and the prioritisation of research time. We invest in shared research infrastructure, nationally and across departments and NTNU.
Our study programmes are based on up-to-date knowledge, designed in accordance with best practices, and delivered to a high educational standard. We develop our educational expertise and innovate our learning, teaching and assessment methods. Our location on the campus in Trondheim strengthens opportunities for development of interdisciplinary perspectives in research and education.
International knowledge exchange is essential. An internationally oriented environment is key in strengthening research and education. The Faculty is a first choice for international staff and students. Many of our students complete parts of their studies at foreign universities, and we attract exchange students who contribute with international perspectives to our programmes. Our academic staff collaborate with renowned international research institutions.
We develop through close interaction with society, industry and other academic communities. This provides strategic flexibility regarding academic priorities, enabling us to build internationally leading academic environments and relevant study programmes.
Ambition 2: We set the national agenda in shaping a knowledge-based societal development
National and global challenges call for new solutions based on knowledge and technology. We make our expertise and research available to society through education, collaboration, dissemination and innovation.
Our students are our greatest contribution to innovation and value creation. They bring up-to-date knowledge and skills into the world of work. Our educational programmes meet society’s needs and are rooted in strong academic environments. The Faculty’s study programmes are renowned and attract the best students. We strengthen our position as the national provider of in-demand bachelor’s, master’s and PhD graduates, and we contribute to the development of Norwegian academic language within our fields.
The demand for expertise in science, technology, engineering and mathematics is increasing in society. Parallel to this, youth populations are in decline, and fewer young people are choosing science subjects. The Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering will work actively to increase recruitment and to enhance the status of mathematics, science and technology. The National Centre for Science Recruitment is an important instrument in this effort.
We are a driving force for the application of new knowledge. We ensure new knowledge is shared through dissemination, academic development, innovation, collaboration and lifelong learning. The Faculty will offer relevant continuing and further education programmes within our fields. Our goal is to increase our contribution to knowledge-based societal development.
Ambition 3: We will be an attractive academic community that gives priority to collaboration and visibility
We continuously develop our academic community based on academic freedom, openness and involvement. Our societal mission, core values and sound ethical judgements shape our activities. An inclusive working and learning environment, rooted in respect and dialogue, benefits us all. The Faculty’s success rests on the results achieved by its staff and students, individually and through collaboration.
Our students are a vital part of the academic community. We attach great importance to providing a supportive and stimulating learning environment, in which student voluntary activities play a major role. Students should experience a sense of belonging, well-being, and personal and academic development. All students gain insight into relevant research activities and have the opportunity to participate in these.
We are visible and clear in the public debate, and a highly attractive place to study and work for ambitious students and staff.
A culture of creativity and the courage to take risks are fundamental in achieving world-class research, innovation and education. We have academic environments with high ambitions in both designated and curiosity-driven research. Our fields represent enabling technologies crucial to society’s capacity for value creation, sustainable development and management of the heightened security challenges. Committed collaboration with industry and the public sector is key.
Collaboration is fundamental to responsible and sustainable societal development. Through close interaction with relevant actors in society – nationally and through our presence in our three regions – we create value that makes a difference, while gaining inspiration to develop new knowledge and new technology.
Prerequisites for success
The Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering faces high expectations and increasing competition. We must educate more graduates and strengthen our research activity. At the same time, we must recruit and retain the best students and staff. To succeed, the following premises must be in place:
Prerequisites for success
The Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering faces high expectations and increasing competition. We must educate more graduates and strengthen our research activity. At the same time, we must recruit and retain the best students and staff. To succeed, the following premises must be in place:
Academic freedom
Academic freedom is a fundamental prerequisite for our scholarly activities. In times of change, it is essential to safeguard our independence and critical voice. This translates into the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering actively supporting employees’ right to choose their own research questions, methods and publication channels. We protect the right of our staff to participate in public debate with research-based knowledge.
To be a credible voice in society and to develop innovative knowledge, we uphold recognised standards of research ethics. We promote quality across the breadth of our activities and contribute to educating and forming the citizens and researchers of the future.
Learning and working environment
We provide an environment where each individual employee and student has good opportunities for personal and professional development.
High ambitions are expected. Everyone should be able to achieve their goals.
We support a well-functioning student democracy and encourage student voluntary engagement. Students experience strong academic and social frameworks within a learning environment that provides a basis for good communication, identity formation, inclusion and a sense of belonging. Students are enabled to discover their strengths and develop their abilities.
We attract highly qualified employees and students. We ensure predictable and attractive working conditions that also promote gender equality and diversity. Students and employees contribute to positive learning and working environments, and in this regard, leaders have a particular responsibility. Knowledge and awareness of health, safety and environmental work are given high priority. In turbulent times, personal safety and emergency preparedness are especially important.
Infrastructure
Our physical and digital infrastructure – such as research laboratories, teaching facilities, and makerspaces – is crucial for strong academic development and a good learning environment. We maintain relevant and cost-effective infrastructure based on strategic academic priorities and competent, safe operation. For key infrastructures hosted by others, we act as an active strategic partner.
Software and digital systems are essential research and education infrastructure. We ensure high quality in the software we use and develop. Data and software will be made available as part of open research and to ensure reproducible research.
Organisation and management
Academic communities and administration work closely and effectively together. The Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering strengthens collaboration and reduces distances between units. The organisation functions as a coordinated whole through clear allocation of roles, responsibilities and tasks.
Our administrative services are an integral part of the core activities and meet the needs of students, staff and partners. The services are of high quality, financially sustainable, and well adapted to developments in the sector.
The Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering exercises sound governance and employs competent staff. We have established arenas for dialogue between management, academic staff and technical-administrative staff. Good management, involvement, effective tools and analyses provide the foundation for continuous development.