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LÆR-VEL

National Knowledge and Competance Network for Student Learning Environments and Welfare

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Illustration with circles connected by lines. Within the circles are silhouettes of people. — Photo: Hege Hovd/NTNU

About

LÆR-VEL is a national knowledge and competance network for student learning environments and welfare in Norwegian higher education.

The network brings together universities, university colleges, student welfare organisations, and student representatives to strengthen knowledge-sharing and collaboration across the sector. LÆR-VEL was established as a shared initiative among national higher education institutions and student welfare organisations and operates on behalf of the organisations that have chosen ownership, with the aim of strengthening coordination and tripartite collaboration across the higher education sector.

What we do

LÆR-VEL creates arenas for sharing knowledge, practice, and experiences related to student learning environments and welfare. We do this through webinars, working seminars, and an annual conference – bringing together staff from universities, student welfare organisations, and student representatives throughout the year.

Contact

Curious about LÆR-VEL or our work? We would love to hear from you!

Send us an e-mail

LÆR-VEL means "learn well"

LÆR-VEL is a play on words, taking its name from the Norwegian words for learning (læring) and welfare (velferd).

Directly translated, it means "learn well," making the name both a description of the network's purpose and an encouragement.

How we are organised

Resource persons

Each co-owning organisation appoints a resource person who actively contributes to the network's development and activities. Together, they form a cross-institutional professional community spanning universities, university colleges, and student welfare organisations. Resource persons participate in regular network meetings, contribute to event planning, and are responsible for communicating the network's work within their own organisations.

Steering committee

The steering committee holds overall responsibility for finances, strategic priorities, and the work of the secretariat. It meets at least three times a year and consists of six representatives from member organisations: three from higher education institutions, two from student welfare organisations, and one student representative appointed by the Norwegian Student Organisation (NSO).

Secretariat

The secretariat manages the day-to-day operations of the network and is hosted by a designated lead institution. It is staffed by personnel from both a higher education institution and a student welfare organisation. The secretariat is currently hosted by Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the Student welfare organization in Gjøvik, Ålesund, and Trondheim (Sit) (2026-2030).

History

History

LÆR-VEL has its roots in a collaborative initiative established in 2015 to address student dropout in higher education. It began as a formal project (2017–2019) before continuing as a permanent national network from 1 January 2020. In 2022, the secretariat moved from the University of Bergen to Nord University, marking a new phase in the network's development. On 1 September 2025, the network adopted its current name, LÆR-VEL: National Knowledge and Competance Network for Student Learning Environments and Welfare, to more clearly reflect its purpose and priorities.

Since 2026, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the Student welfare organization in Gjøvik, Ålesund, and Trondheim (Sit) have served as hosts for LÆR-VEL, a role they will hold through 2030.

Member organisations

LÆR-VEL has 24 co-owning organisations, including universities, university colleges, and student welfare organisations from across Norway.