10.0     Norway’s IT Geographies - Summary

Oslo is the primary region for information and communications technology research in Norway. In fact, 60%[1] percent of Norwegian information and communication technology positions are found around Oslo.  ICT companies, research institutions, and professionals are generally found in three clusters in the proximity of Oslo; The Guastadekk Valley, The IT Center at Fornebu, and the Kjeller Technology Park. Although there is valuable research being conducted elsewhere in Norway, the majority of the nation’s ICT policy initiatives can be found in the Oslo region. The three primary IT clusters listed above are close in proximity and interlinked via infrastructure to facilitate research among organizations. Secondary research parks have also been established and are located in various regions around Norway. This set of research parks is positioned to provide business incubation environment, research, and linkages with other organizations/companies.

 

10.1     IT Cluster 1 - The Gaustadbekk Valley

The Gaustadbekk Valley is the primary research ICT cluster in Norway and it contains a large number of ICT research organizations.

 

  • The University of Oslo – As primary higher education institution in Norway, the University of Oslo has roughly 32,000 students and a staff of 4,500. The university’s Computer science department (called the Department of Informatics) is one of many offerings at the university; however it is comprehensive computer science program in all of Norway’s higher education institutions. The bulk of doctorate, graduate and undergraduate student research in ICT is conducted through the University.

 

  • The Oslo Innovation Center – Located at the center of the Gaustadbekk Valley, the Oslo Innovation Center is a 29,000 square meter research park that houses over 100 high technology companies, incubators, and research centers.

 

  • Norwegian Computing Center – One of Europe’s strongest applied statistics institutes, the Norwegian Computing Center has produced/supported researchers which have pioneered in the field of object oriented programming. 

 

  • SINTEF – The largest consulting agency in Scandinavia, SINTEF has conducted many research projects, one of which established the Norwegian Microtechnology Center in 2001.

 

 

10.2     IT Cluster 2 – The IT Center at Fornebu

The IT Center at Fornebu (IT Fornebu) is a long term development plan for an internationally attractive environment for companies, researchers, and talent in the “new economy”. The center’s strategic plan will encompass 20,000 jobs, 6,000 homes, cultural sites, museums, schools as an entire incubator for cutting-edge technologies and services. Originally started in 1999, this project is currently under development and will take at least a decade to complete.

 

10.3     IT Cluster 3 – Kjeller Technology Park

Located about 20 km outside of Oslo, the Keller Technology Park is one of the most innovative research clusters in Norway. The park covers a wide array of research, development, higher education, and consultancy in electronics, mathematics, and ICT.

 

10.4     Secondary Research Parks

A number of secondary research parks have also been established in various regions around Norway. These research parks[2] primarily offer business incubator environments for companies.

 

10.4.1  Tromsø Science Park

The Tromsø Science Park was established to assist companies in securing contracts in northern Norway. Areas of activities include: ICT, biotechnology, satellite and telecommunications, aquaculture, and marine research.

 

10.4.2 Trondheim Innovation Centre

The Trondheim Innovation Center is another research park design to facilitate the establishment of local businesses. There are roughly 55 companies/organizations house at the park. Areas of activity include: defense, fluid mechanics, industrial design, pharmaceuticals, ICT, and telecommunication and telematics.

 

10.4.3 Leiv Eiriksson Nyfotek

Leiv Eiriksson Nyfotek was established to identify business opportunities, develop business plans, raise funding, act as an investor in the establishment new businesses. Areas of activity include: ICT, marine research, biotechnology, applied mathematics, transport and logistics, civil and environmental engineering, energy research, oil and gas technology, electronics, cybernetics, and materials technology.

 

10.4.4  The Rogaland Science Park

The Rogaland Science Park was established in 1993 and is designed to provide office space, conferences, management expertise for firms conducting research and development.  Areas of activity include: petroleum, ICT, environmental technology, nutrition and the food industry.

 

10.4.5  Sørlandets Teknologisenter

I found very little information on this research park other than it concentrates heavily on the ICT industry.

 

10.4.6 Bergen High-Technology Center

The Bergen High-Technology Center concentrates on financing research projects with the intent on starting new businesses and is affiliated with the University of Bergen. Areas of activity include: biotechnology (human and marine), bioinformatics, diagnostics, medical technology platforms, petrotechnologies, geotechnologies, and ICT.

 

10.4.7  Forskningsparken i Narvik

This research park concentrates on the development of new businesses. It also provides commercial infrastructure to businesses (including network infrastructure) within the research park.

 

10.4.8  Lillehammer Knowledge Park

I could find no information on this research park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


[1]  Oslo Technopol (Join The Mobile Adventure), PDF file published/distributed by the Municipality of Oslo. No author identified. Document can be found at www.oslo.technopole.no

 

[2] Research park information can be found at http://www.fin.no/scienceparks/index.asp.