2011-12 Orientation and Reception for Outgoing Norwegians
The pre-departure orientation and reception for the 2011-12 outgoing Norwegian Grantees took place at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nobel Institute on June 8, 2011.
The orientation kicked off with a full-day seminar at the Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the grantees were warmly welcomed by Fulbright Board Members Liv Mørch Finborud and Tim Moore and Executive Director Petter Næss. Finborud is Senior Advisor at the Department for Culture, Public Diplomacy and Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a former Consul General in New York and Norwegian Ambassador to Ireland, and Tim Moore is Public Affairs Counselor at the American Embassy.
The 45 attending grantees (out of a total of 48 for the academic year 2011-12) had an opportunity to meet and get acquainted before being briefed on practical aspects of their coming year abroad by representatives from key organizations such as NAV Utland, HELFO Utland, ANSA and the American Embassy’s Consular Section. The seminar concluded with students and scholars grouped according to the geographical areas they will be studying in, and receiving useful advice and hands-on information from recently returned Fulbright grantees.
Following the orientation, a formal diploma ceremony and reception was hosted at the Nobel Institute in honor of the grantees. Executive Director Petter Næss welcomed the audience and introduced the distinguished speakers:
- Kyrre Lekve - State Secretary, Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research
- James T. Heg - Deputy Chief of Mission, United States Embassy
- Anne Kari H. Ovind - Deputy Director General, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Section for the High North Project, Polar Affairs, Energy and Resources
- André Aarnes - Chair, Norway Fulbright Alumni Association
Each grantee was called to the stage to receive her/his diploma and congratulations from Mr. Lekve and Mr. Heg, a group photo was taken, and food and drinks were served on the terrace before an interesting tour of the Nobel Institute was graciously provided by Head Librarian, Anne Cecilie Kjelling.
Please see the 2011-12 Norwegian Grantees Brochure, for more information about this year’s grantees to the US.
Below is a selection of pictures from the event. If you would like to see more please visit our facebook page:
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