Styrk and Hedda are once again running together as a team to represent you at the University Board!
We ran together last year and quickly discovered that we work extremely well as a team. That’s why we decided to give it another go. Last year, Styrk was elected, and this year we hope that both of us will secure a seat!
We come from different academic backgrounds — Styrk is a medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, while Hedda studies sociology at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Still, we share important similarities. We both understand the importance of the student movement and everything it has achieved.
That’s why we want close cooperation with the Student Parliament and the student councils in the coming year. They know their students best and understand how decisions will affect them. This is exactly why we want to serve as a listening posts for the issues they’re working on, and communicate clearly what is on the Board’s agenda.
At the same time, we will be responsible board members who view UiB as a whole. Just like the other board members, we will help set the direction we believe is best for the university. For us, it has been important to choose goals that are both achievable and meaningful for students. Our key issues in this year’s election are: an attractive physical campus, a greener university, and a stronger student engagement culture.
We want to bring both experience and renewal to the Board. We hope you will vote for us — but most importantly, we hope you vote!
Happy election!
Styrk Garang
Hello! My name is Styrk, I’m a fourth‑year medical student, and I want to be your representative at the University Board!
This past year, I have served as a member of the University Board, and I’m motivated for another term! Before that, I was the national deputy leader of the Norwegian Medical Students’ Association (Nmf).
I believe it is important to have a student voice on the board – not only to ensure that student issues are brought up, but also because UiB as an institution benefits greatly from it. We know firsthand what the learning conditions are like, and what can be done to improve them. I also find that the university genuinely wants what’s best for us, but is not always aware of how certain decisions affect students. That is exactly why strong student voices are needed!
I also believe that continuity among the student representatives on the board is an advantage for the students we represent. The only thing that distinguishes students from the other board members is how often we are replaced. By ensuring continuity, we can build upon existing relationships within the board, while also enabling an ongoing transfer of experience to new representatives. Personally, I benefited greatly from having an experienced fellow student as my partner during my first year, and I hope to be able to do the same for my next partner!
Hedda Binta Simonsen Conteh
My name is Hedda, and I am currently in my second year of a bachelor’s degree in Sociology at the University of Bergen. I have previously gained experience from a range of board positions in various organizations. Among other roles, I have served as County Leader of AUF in Vestfold, and I am currently the Chair of ASTUD Bergen.
In addition, I am an elected representative in Sandefjord municipality, where I serve as the first deputy member of the Committee for Culture, Sports, and Leisure. Through this role, I have gained valuable experience in collaboration and communication across political parties—skills I believe will be highly relevant and beneficial in the University Board.
My motivation for running for the University Board is rooted in a strong belief in the importance of student participation in dialogue with the university leadership. I want to help ensure that students’ voices are heard, and I believe I can contribute to the board with an engaged and constructive perspective. On a personal level, I greatly enjoy this type of work, and I am motivated to make a positive difference for students at the University of Bergen.
Hi! We are Eirik and Yimin, and we are running for a solidary, green and just UiB.
Yimin is doing a master’s in art and is on a mission to cook a vegan dish from every country in the world. Eirik studies governance and is in the middle of a life project: reading a book by every Nobel Prize winner in literature.
1. Working conditions
Our campaign is first and foremost about improving conditions for UiB students on internships and student employees at UiB. There are incredibly many horror stories. We have both worked at UiB without pay and contract for several months. Sadly, we are not alone.
Did you know that UiB does not inform many student workers who their safety representative is, despite the Working Environment Act requiring this? Rules and routines for student employees and student internships vary greatly from faculty to faculty, and students are exploited systematically.
For many, UiB is their first employer or the one that connects them to their first workplace. When UiB fails them, students learn to accept poor conditions for the rest of their working lives. We will work for a systematic review of working conditions, with respect for students and compliance with the law.
2. Solidarity and climate
Our second cause is solidarity with the world around us. UiB must take climate responsibility: day seminars can be held digitally, recycling schemes must be installed, and travel should be sustainable. We also want UiB to boycott Israel by cutting cooperation with Israeli universities through the Horizons network, and stop purchasing goods and services from companies that support the warfare in Gaza. Solidarity applies to all those affected serious human rights violations, whether in Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan or Iran.
3. Let’s talk!
If elected, we will set up stands every other week to hear what you think. We work for a UiB that listens to its students and cares about students, about the world, and about those who come after us. You can read more about us in our election program. Vote for us and join the movement!
Yimin Dong
Friendship, curiosity, creativity. Three words that are at the core of who I am.
Hi! My name is Yimin, I am 23 and I study art. This year I am running for election with Eirik for solidarity and justice.
I have been active in student politics and are in dialogue with many of you who have higher hopes for UiB. I want to make UiB listen to us.
Student Parliament has approved academic boycott of Israel, but UiB-Board has rejected it while continuing its collaboration. That signalises ignorance for student voices and ongoing humanitarian crisis.
We will also stop exploitation in study-linked internships such as: overtime, denied pay, irrelevant tasks and stolen academic work. I have personally been asked to mop the floors daily for internship. I want noone to have to go through similar things.
I hope you can vote for us and give justice and solidarity a chance.
Eirik Pederson Furuberg
My name is Eirik, I’m 24 years old and I’m studying Governance. I’m originally from Kvinnherad, but I’ve lived and studied in Bergen the last 5 years. I’m standing for election with Yimin for peace and justice.
I have been active in all parts of the student democracy during the five years that I have studied at UiB. Whether it’s been at my study programme, the SV-faculty or the student parliament. The most important thing for me has been to represent students at UiB.
UiB is a good university, but the working conditions for students are often horrible. Personally I have experienced working without a contract and pay for months. I’ve also heard lots of other horror stories. We need a structural change at the university.
Together we can create change! I hope you will vote for me and Yimin, for justice and for peace!
