The Arctic University of Norway
UiT Norges arktiske universitet (Bokmål) UiT Noregs arktiske universitet (Nynorsk) UiT Norgga árktalaš universitehta (Northern Sami) | |
Seal | |
| Motto | Drivkraft i nord |
|---|---|
Motto in English | Driving force in the North |
| Type | Public University |
| Established | 1968 |
| Chair | Marianne Elisabeth Johnsen |
| Rector | Dag Rune Olsen |
Total staff | 3776 (2021) |
| Students | 16,204 (2024) |
| Location | , |
| Campus | Multiple sites |
| Affiliations | EUA, UArctic, YERUN, EUGLOH |
| Website | www.uit.no |
The University of Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway (Norwegian: Universitetet i Tromsø – Norges arktiske universitet; Northern Sami: Romssa universitehta – Norgga árktalaš universitehta) is a state university in Norway and the world's northernmost university. Located in the city of Tromsø, Norway, it was established by an act of parliament in 1968, and opened in 1972. As of 2024, it is the largest research and educational institution in Northern Norway and the eighth-largest university in Norway. The university's location makes it a natural venue for the development of studies of the region's natural environment, culture, and society.
The main focus of the university's activities is on auroral light research, space science, fishery science, biotechnology, linguistics, multicultural societies, Saami culture, telemedicine, epidemiology and a wide spectrum of Arctic research projects. The close vicinity of the Norwegian Polar Institute, the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research and the Polar Environmental Centre gives Tromsø added weight and importance as an international centre for Arctic research. Research activities, however, are not limited to Arctic studies. The university researchers work within a broad range of subjects and are recognised both nationally and internationally.