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Will showcase science subjects
- I must say that it is an event that has really improved from the first time and last year, so I am very excited about how it will be this year. I find Kongsberg Agenda to be very good, and have heard a lot of good feedback from others who think that there was a lot of good content and a good setup. We at Tekna will of course be partners this year too, says Haugsbø.
Tekna organizes members who have a master's degree in technology, science or natural sciences, and has 106,000 members nationwide. A bit special for this year is that Tekna will be 150 years old. By being a partner at Kongsberg Agenda, they hope to achieve several things:
- We want to showcase science and that the need for science is there. In addition, we want to showcase Tekna and what we stand for. It is also important to present a business community outside Oslo and the more established places. We are committed to getting decision-makers, businesses and politicians to spotlight the expertise we need in industry to work with the green and digital shifts, says Haugsbø.
Haugsbø hopes that by being visible during this year's agenda, they will inspire more people to take a greater interest in science, technology and natural sciences. She believes that it is largely about showcasing the cool jobs and getting an experience of what it is actually about.
- Young people are not so inspired by seeing that it says "math is important" on a poster. They need to see it in use, and Kongsberg Agenda is a perfect arena for that, says Haugsbø.
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Challenges ahead
The Tekna president believes that one of the biggest challenges for society in the future is that too few young people choose science.
- Too few choose it now, and there are fewer and fewer – so the future does not look so bright. But it is incredibly important to safeguard Norwegian interests, says Haugsbø. She points out that a lack of future competence can challenge security on several levels.
- This is about much more than defense. It is about water and sewage, power supply and critical infrastructure, where municipalities have a special responsibility to ensure that this is taken care of. Unfortunately, several municipalities are struggling to get hold of people with technical competence, says Haugsbø.
She believes that there are two things in particular that need to be done in the future. Firstly: Get more children and young people to become more interested in science.
- Not everyone needs a higher degree, but we need more people to have a better understanding and interest in math and science in order to meet the needs of the future.
Secondly: Make decision-makers understand the consequences of a lack of science skills in the future. Both in terms of development, but also to preserve what we have.
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– We met at Kongsberg Agenda
What Haugsbø remembers best from the previous years at Kongsberg Agenda was that there was a good atmosphere and that everyone talked a lot together.
– Compared to other meeting places, Kongsberg Agenda is experienced as less rushed and rushed. There were a lot of people last year, but still calm enough that you had the opportunity to talk together and meet new people, she says, adding that she is looking forward to this year's Agenda.
- I hope there will be good events, that lots of people come, and that more people find each other. It would be fun if someone who met at Kongsberg Agenda ends up collaborating further - either by starting a new company or developing a product, concludes Haugsbø.
