Our Institution – Østfold University College

Østfold University College (HiØ) is located 10-12 miles southeast of Oslo, with campuses in Fredrikstad and Halden. The institution has over 7,800 students enrolled in around 100 study programs at the bachelor's, master's, and PhD levels. HiØ consists of three faculties and one academy: the Faculty of Health, Welfare, and Organization (HVO), the Faculty of Teacher Training and Languages (LUSP), the Faculty of Information Technology, Engineering, and Economics (IIØ), and the Academy of Performing Arts. HVO trains approximately 200 nurses (bachelor's degree) and around 40 specialist nurses (Master's in clinical nursing) annually. HVO boasts a strong professional environment with expertise in nursing and digitalization. LUSP has a similar professional environment with high competence in pedagogy and digitalization. "The Digital Society" is HiØ’s strategic research initiative, with an interdisciplinary PhD program in "Digitalization and Society." This program brings together research and education across faculties, professional environments, and research, focusing on DigiHealth, DigiEd, DigiWork, and DigiTech.

 

Østfold University College's Involvement and Contribution to NorDigHE

The professional environments from HVO and LUSP will play key roles in the development, testing, and evaluation of NorDigHE's study plan. The HVO campus is home to a new, state-of-the-art 2000-square-meter simulation center, which is the largest in the Nordic region. This center is equipped with advanced technology that allows for the simulation of real-world healthcare environments, including hospital settings (such as bed posts, operating theatres, intensive care units, and emergency departments), nursing homes, and private apartments for home care patients.

Here, students and researchers can develop and test the NorDigHE study plan on a large scale. Sim-Fredrikstad serves as a collaborative hub where academia, business, and both the public and private sectors can work together to advance health and welfare services. This environment also provides opportunities to enhance competence in understanding and utilizing telemedicine solutions among healthcare personnel.