Florø-Student Links to Orkney Isles, Scotland

Student Karoline Ullaland Hove graduated from Bergen University College dept. Florø in June 2016. She is currently doing a Master’s degree in Renewable Energy Development at ICIT (International Centre for Island Technology) and she will begin her dissertation for Statoil in Orkney in May.

The Subsea Technology – Operations and Maintenance Studies in Florø was established in August 2013. GCE Subsea was involved in establishing and funding the study. The industry in Florø is keen on meeting students and there are frequent events where companies present themselves and mingle with students.

– Studying in Florø has given me the experience of understanding the value of working closely with the industry, says Ullaland Hove. – During my studies, I gained experience through a three-week internship, which was at a subsea workshop. I was also part of a group projects in collaboration with a company within the industry. My final internship allowed me to experience working as an engineer and it helped me find a topic for my bachelor thesis, she adds.

– The network I built made it easy to find the perfect company to collaborate with in terms of my thesis and I had many contacts to call If I had any questions. Florø is a small town, which was a benefit in that it made both network building and student life easier, says Karoline.

Master’s Programmes in Orkney

At the end of the undergraduate degree period in June 2016 GCE Subsea’s Trond Strømgren informed the students in Florø about the organisation’s study tour in Orkney, which had taken place two months earlier. He also mentioned the great study resources and the Heriot-Watt ICIT Campus in the town of Stromness.

ICIT currently offers four Master’s programmes: Renewable Energy Development, Marine Renewable Energy, Marine Resource Management and Marine Planning for Sustainable Development.

– I was immediately drawn to the Renewable Energy Development Course, as it sounded interesting. After doing some further research about the course itself and the campus, I knew it was the course for me. I decided to apply and was accepted shortly after. Since then I never looked back! I enjoy living on the island and I really like what I am studying, says Karoline Ullaland Hove.

The university is closely linked with the industry in Orkney, which is ideal for research information and potential career paths. Both EMEC (European Marine Energy Centre) and Aquatera are situated on site with the university. It allows for relationships to build between students and people within the industry.

– Getting to know these people and figuring out the different paths of education and experiences they have come from to reach the point they are currently at, has been a great insight, offering multiple perspectives, allowing us students to broaden our horizons, knowing each of our educational backgrounds and experiences are of use and of value, Karoline adds.

Writing Dissertation for Statoil

At Heriot-Watt, emphasis was placed on thinking about dissertation topics from day one. One technology lecture touched into Statoil´s large offshore wind project Hywind.

– I decided to write an email to Statoil, says Karoline. – That email is probably one of the most important I have ever sent because it has given me a great opportunity to do something very interesting. I am now going to write my dissertation for Statoil and consider the wave and tidal energy industry. I am particularly interested in finding out what is delaying or holding it back from being commercialised, Ullaland Hove ends.

Karoline Ullaland Hove will be finishing her master’s programme in August 2017. She will then be well prepared for working in the industry. She hopes to be working within the technology and energy sector and is also keen to learn about other related subjects.