Opening speech at the start of the semester by Deputy Mayor Dag Mossige.
«Welcome to Stavanger and a new chapter that starts here and now!
To all English-speaking students: welcome to the city of Stavanger, a city and region where openness and diversity are highly valued. Out of a total population of 144,000 citizens, one in five of them are from abroad. This adds great strength to our city. Thank you for being part of that force!
Dear students, the opportunities you have to make good and well-considered choices are particularly important today in terms of what this could mean for the future. We are living in uncertain and turbulent times following the recent pandemic, as well as war and geopolitical instability.
However, we should always appreciate the fact that we have the opportunity to make well-considered and conscious choices. We must believe that it is always possible to resolve the problems we encounter. This gives us energy, motivation and drive.
You should be proud of yourselves today because all of you here have just made a very important choice. The knowledge you acquire as students can help make a difference in the world.
During your studies, seize every opportunity you can. Explore the unknown. Be curious. Ask critical questions and engage in various arenas. As we like to say here in Stavanger: enjoy yourselves, and dare to take chances!
I was once a student studying far from home and am familiar with the expectations and excitement about being in an entirely new location. The best advice I can offer you is to choose to participate in the community around you. Have the courage to take the initiative to meet new people and try new things. Nevertheless, I should be careful about using myself as an example: For my part, a three-year journalism programme eventually turned into 15 years living in the United States and Mexico. Even though I ultimately attained a PhD, I would admit that it is possible to take student life too far!
You should be aware that Stavanger is known for its incessant rain and that it can be very windy. But we also have our share of sunny days with pleasant temperatures. We are surrounded by stunning nature and there are endless hiking opportunities. And I can promise you that when the wind is blowing in your favour, it will increase your speed going forward!
I would encourage you to explore our local community. Stavanger is the energy capital of Europe, a city of culture, and a proud city of knowledge. The distances from the city to the countryside and from the sea to the mountains are short, and the city’s many nightlife venues and urban areas are not far away. So please take advantage of the many opportunities on offer here. I can guarantee that they will enhance and enrich your study time!
Good luck with this new chapter in your life and welcome to our University!»