Vision and values
Knowledge for a better world
Welcome to NTNU – a leading international university. On this page, you will find a brief description of who we are, what we stand for, and what we work for as a university.
NTNU is a comprehensive university with a main profile in science and technology, and with a strong emphasis on professional education. In collaboration with other partners, NTNU develops new insights, expertise and solutions that help shape society. The knowledge generated at NTNU is to be put to use, provide opportunities for people, be as open as possible, contribute to an informed public conversation that strengthens democracy, and support sustainable development.
Our vision is: Knowledge for a better world.
Our values
NTNU has four values that work together
Creative
Constructive
Critical
Respectful
Mission
The role of the university
The universities represent a tradition as places of learning, bearers of knowledge and sources of knowledge that stretches back almost a thousand years. NTNU develops new knowledge and safeguards the knowledge heritage across our full range of academic, professional and artistic disciplines. We advance knowledge and help ensure that society has the insight it needs to continue developing and adapting in an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable direction.
Our graduates are our most important contribution to societal development and sustainable transformation.
Our primary obligation is to Norwegian society, while at the same time we have a long tradition of taking responsibility for addressing global challenges. Our free and independent role puts us in a unique position as an open arena for critical reflection, debate and the exchange of ideas. This is fully in line with our vision of knowledge for a better world.
Society’s need for knowledge
Society’s need for knowledge is great and constantly evolving. We are witnessing changes in demographics and in the frameworks for communities. Environmental and climate challenges are intensifying, and the geopolitical and security situation is shifting. We are also seeing more clearly the end of the fossil era. There is a strong demand for innovations and new industries that can secure future value creation to sustain the welfare society for coming generations. In addition, we must understand, develop and contribute to the responsible use of knowledge and technology for the benefit of society. Our independent position is crucial for the trust society places in us and for maintaining our integrity.
Our distinctive societal mission
NTNU is a comprehensive university with a main profile in science and technology, and with a strong emphasis on professional education. The university operates across three campus cities, which uniquely positions us to contribute to development and to address the many complex and multifaceted challenges facing society at international, national and regional levels.
We aim to achieve this through education, research, artistic development work, innovation, and the dissemination of knowledge of high international quality across all our academic fields.
NTNU is committed to promoting academic freedom and independent research. We will ensure wide dissemination of knowledge and contribute to a knowledge-based public discourse. We will also develop and operate a leading university museum with scientific collections and public exhibitions.