This year's main opening is at campus Bø. There will also be local opening events at the other campuses.

The main opening of the semester alternates between the three biggest campuses in Telemark; Notodden, Porsgrunn and Bø. This year's main opening is at the campus in Bø.

Professor in biology Dag Olav Hessen will be the keynote speaker. He will be known to many Norwegian students as one of the members of a panel of scientists in a popular TV show (Hærland og Lyngbøs Big Bang).

Dag Olav Hessen has also won several prizes for his ability to make research come alive and become of interest to a wide audience.

The opening event in Bø starts at. 10.00.

Speakers

In addition to the keynote speaker, Rector Kristian Bogen and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Arild Hovland will welcome the new students.

Børge A. Aunan, leader of the Student Organisation in Telemark (SOT) and student Henriette Hope will talk about topics such as student democracy and student involvement.

The terror attack in Norway

The terrorist attack on Utøya and Oslo 22. of July will be marked at the opening of the academic year at every campus.

Telemark County lost two young people in the tragic incident at Utøya, while 18 members of the Norwegian Labour Party's Youth Organization in Telemark are among the survivors.

Norway has a small population, and TUC students arrives from all parts of the country and may therefore be affected in different ways.

Local opening events

In addition to the main opening at campus Bø, there will be local opening events at the other campuses.

In Porsgrunn, State Secretary Henriette Westhrin from Kragerø will be the keynote speaker and the local band Absinthe will provide the music.

The opening of the academic year in Notodden will take place in Sætre Hall.

Students at campus Rauland starts the academic year on Tuesday 23. of August.

Introduction week

After the opening ceremony the student mentors will meet with the new students and show them around campus. The first week of the semester is an introduction week for students in Porsgrunn, Notodden and Bø.