Dikus rapportserie 07/2020 Mid-term evaluation of 2016 Centres for Excellence in Education

The Ministry of Education and Research launched the initiative “Centres for Excellence in Education” (Sentre for fremragende utdanning - SFU) in 2010. The programme was established and administered by NOKUT prior to 2019, when it was transferred to Diku as part of Diku’s portfolio of Quality Enhancement Programmes.

By means of the Centres for Excellence in Education (SFU) programme, leading academic communities in Norway are awarded resources to further develop their teaching and education. The initiative is a long-term effort to stimulate educational
development and innovative approaches to learning in Higher Education at Bachelor and Master levels. The centres have a particular responsibility to disseminate knowledge and practices leading to enhanced quality in higher education both within
and beyond their host institutions.

Each SFU Centre receives an initial grant for a period of five years with the possibility to renew their status for an additional five years after a mid-term evaluation. The midterm evaluation is carried out towards the end of their first funding period and informs the decision on whether funding for a second period will be granted.

There are currently 12 Centres for Excellence in Education. In 2020, the four centres awarded SFU status in December 2016 were subjected to the mid-term evaluation process. These were:

• CCSE – Centre for Computing in Science Education
• CEFIMA – Centre of Excellence in Film and Interactive Media Arts
• Engage – Centre for Engaged Education through Entrepreneurship
• Excited – Centre for Excellent IT Education

This evaluation report provides an overview of the evaluation process, an assessment of the four 2016-centres, as well as the individual assessment of these centres. The report was submitted to the Diku Board for their formal decision
regarding funding for a second period.

Diku would like to thank the expert panel for their conscientious work that took place during the Covid-19 pandemic. The panel has produced a report that, we anticipate, will be of value for existing centres in years to come and for the further development of the Centres for Excellence in Education programme.