From Feb. 11 – 14, Augsburg will be hosting 12 Vernepleier professors from Norway who will examine what the college and the local community have to offer prospective Norwegian students.
Vernepleier is a Norwegian term for a field of study that develops and delivers a holistic approach to working with persons with disabilities. Nadia Christensen, Augsburg’s Director of International Partners, describes Vernepleier as “similar to special education programs here in the U.S., but expanded to serve persons with disabilities beyond the learning environment.”
On Monday, the visiting scholars will meet with Augsburg faculty from Psychology, Sociology, Education, Social Work, Music Therapy, and Communication Studies. They will also meet with staff from Augsburg’s CLASS program and other programs on campus that are relevant to Vernepleier.
During the remainder of their stay, the Norwegian professors will be visiting program sites across the Twin Cities that provide services or opportunities to persons with disabilities.
The list of Norwegian faculty includes Marit Rustad, who is already on campus visiting with the Education department:
Knut Simonsen, Bergen University College
Inger Elisabeth Bergum, Molde University College
Karen Engeland, Akershus University College
Jon Ekeland, Sør Trøndelag University College
Frode Fjeldsbø, Rogaland University College
Terje Grøndahl, Østfold University College
Oddbjørn Johansen, Nord Trøndelag University College
Gro Kalvenes, Akershus University College
Leif Lysvik, Harstad University College
Janneke Quarles van Ufford, Agder University College
Marit Rustad, Harstad University College
Anne Thronsen, Telemark University College