US Department of Homeland Security on New Visit in Tromsø ...

Arctic expertise and collaboration

"One goes to the Arctic and sees how things are changing. So, it is a dose of reality – and one of the key strengths of Norway, Norwegian researchers, and the UiT is your understanding of the Arctic. We are here to try to get a sense of what the world looks like from here, with your deep bench of expertise," says Kusnezov.

Jan-Gunnar Winther, UiT's Pro-Rector of Science and Development, hosted the meeting and sees an exciting opportunity for collaboration with the DHS and other US institutions.

"We are always looking for resourceful and highly competent partners. The DHS will soon open a Center of Excellence at the University of Alaska in Anchorage, and there's always the possibility for US researchers and representatives to come to Norway and the European Arctic," Winther points out.

In January, DHS S&T announced the selection of The University of Alaska to lead a consortium av US academic institutions and other partners for a new ADAC-ARCTIC Center of Excellence for Homeland Security in the Arctic. The directorate will provide the center with $46 million over a 10-year period.