The Nansen Scientific Society (NANSI) was founded as an ideal independent foundation under the slogan “Knowledge without borders”. During these 15 years 52 students have been supported with educational or mobility grants, 11 research schools have been co-funded and the overall activities have resulted in 60 scientific publications. The Nansen Center congratulates NANSI with its great achievements for the first 15 years.

The motivation for creating the Foundation was to facilitate increased student activities and recruitment of young scientist at and among the Nansen Centers in Norway, Russia, India, China, South-Africa and Bangladesh. Several of the 52 Nansen Fellowships grants have been utilized to support mobility up to 10 months duration to either of the international Nansen Centers – strengthening the international educational and scientific collaboration.

- Many of the international doctoral candidates supported by NANSI have come to work and study in Bergen, and they have  been a great asset to the research conducted at the Nansen Center. We are very pleased with this cooperation and I congratulate The Nansen Scientific Society and president Ola M. Johannessen with all they have achieved during these 15 years, says Nansen Center director Tore Furevik.

The Nansen Centers have contributed to the activities of the foundation through student supervision, administrative support, joint project development, publications and in organization and teaching at the 11 summer or winter research schools hosted at all the Nansen Centers or their national partner institutions. Eleven scientists at the Nansen Center in Bergen have over the 15 years contributed to supervision of most of the 36 international doctoral candidates and eight master students, who has been awarded individual educational stipends. In total 18 doctoral dissertations have been completed, five are in progress and eight master students have graduated.

The Foundation was officially opened by Fritjof Nansen´s grandchildren Marit Greve and Eigil Nansen on 24. November 2006 during the 20^th anniversary of the Nansen Center (see photo). It was founded and supported by initial donations from the Nansen Center, Trond Mohn and family, GC Rieberfunds and Sparebanken Vest.

According to its bylaws “The Foundation’s vision is that education and research within global environment and climate problems, including their impacts on society, for students and young researchers from different nations and cultures, will provide a foundation for greater understanding and coexistence in the World-in the spirit of Fridtjof Nansen.” The achievements of the Nansen Scientific Society are further elaborated in the report from the foundation.

From the inauguration of the Nansen Scientific Society on 24. November 2006. From left Mohamed Babiker, Eigil Nansen, initiator and founding director of NERSC Ola M. Johannessen, Marit Greve, Yongqi Gao and Swapna George. Photo: Nansen Center.

You can find the pdf of the Report on activities during the period 2006 - 2021 right below.