The conference is open to anyone with an interest in or commitment to academic collaboration with Palestine, including students and staff at The Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO).
About this year's theme
Since the war in Gaza began, the higher education and research sector in Palestine has been subjected to extensive attacks. University campuses have suffered extensive damage, and many staff members and students have been killed.
Despite these immense losses, the resilience of Palestine’s academic community remains remarkable. Teaching, learning, and research activities continue despite widespread destruction. Palestinian universities have not been eradicated; they remain operational and committed to fulfilling their academic mission.
The NorPal Conference 2026 will explore how Norway and Norwegian academic institutions can support higher education and research in Palestine and develop long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with Palestinian universities and academic communities.
Programme
The morning session will focus on how Norwegian and Palestinian authorities, universities, and higher education institutions can cooperate to strengthen the higher education and research sector in Palestine.
The afternoon session will highlight ongoing educational and research collaboration between Palestine and Norway through NorPal-supported projects.
View the full programme (PDF, ntnu.no)
The conference is free of charge, but registration is required. Further information about the NorPal Conference and registration details are available on NTNU's website.
Read more and register for the NorPal Conference
About NorPal
NorPal is a collaboration between 18 Norwegian universities and university colleges, as well as the National Union of Students in Norway (Norsk studentorganisasjon, or NSO in Norwegian). The aim of NorPal is to mobilize and coordinate academic resources in Norway in support of higher education and research in Palestine. The consortium takes a broader and longer-term perspective than addressing the immediate needs in Gaza alone and also includes cooperation with universities and higher education institutions in the West Bank, with the aim of contributing to a robust and stable higher education sector in Palestine. It is a essential that NorPal activities are firmly based in the needs defined by higher education and research in Palestine. NorPal is organized with a Board and an executive committee, while the activities take place in national working groups answering to defined and articulated needs in Palestine
The Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO) has been a member of NorPal since 2025. Associate Professor Einar Sneve Martinussen from the Institute of Design represents AHO in NorPal and also serves on the consortium's working committee. Please feel free to contact Einar if you have any questions or would like to contribute to this important work.