Kristiania hosts International conference on Work-Integrated Learning

From September 22nd to 24th next year, academics and practitioners from around the world will come to Oslo to participate in the international conference Work Integrated Learning (WIL25). The event is a collaboration between University West in Trollhättan, Sweden, and Kristiania University College.

— We expect participants from all continents. We will have a special focus on including more Nordic participants this time, says Andreas Thon, Associate Professor at the Department of Leadership and Organization at Kristiania and one of the project managers for the conference.

The conference is part of an international series, with hosting rotating between various universities and colleges. In 2024, the conference was held in South Africa, and in 2025 it's Kristiania's turn.

Aims to strengthen work-life relevance in higher education

An important goal of the conference is to strengthen work-life relevance in higher education. Professional programs have a long history of practice, while disciplinary subjects traditionally haven't had as close connections to working life. Within both professional and disciplinary fields, we have much to improve in terms of developing a broader set of pedagogical tools that promote closer collaboration with working life during the educational process.

— We want to provide the education sector in Norway with knowledge about work-integrated learning. There's a lot of good practice to learn from out there, says Thon.

He points out that many universities and colleges in Norway still have a way to go when it comes to integrating work-life relevance in education, especially outside traditional professional programs.

— Professional programs have always had this with them. Take, for example, the psychology program, where practice and guidance are an integrated part of the education. A very clear path is laid out with internal clinics and field placements early in the educational process, says Thon.

He believes that other study programs can learn a lot from how professional programs have integrated work-life practice into the course of study.

What is work-integrated learning?

Thon emphasizes that work-integrated learning is about more than just traditional internships. The key is that it involves collaboration between student, educational institution, and employer.

— When journalism students have internships in a newspaper, that's a typical example of work-integrated learning. Another example is students who are involved in real projects in companies and organizations and contribute their knowledge there. They work with a client and deliver on a real project. A third example could be bachelor's and master's theses, where students write papers related to specific issues a company is working on.

Kristiania's focus on work-integrated learning

Thon reports that Kristiania University College has ambitious plans to integrate work-integrated learning as part of the institution's practice.

— We are now working on developing a Kristiania model for work-integrated learning. This is something that will be implemented at an institutional level, not just at program or course level. It's about creating a holistic approach to how we can connect education and working life more closely, says Thon and states:

— We already have many good examples of work-integrated learning at Kristiania, but now it's about systematizing and expanding this work. This is an important part of our strategy to become a working life university.

Important for students' career opportunities

Thon emphasizes that work-integrated learning is crucial for making the transition from studies to working life easier for students.

— The working world gives feedback that the transition from being in the student role to the employee role can be long. It takes time to turn a student into an employee. Research shows, however, that students who have had work-integrated learning as part of their educational process get jobs faster. They also have faster career development and faster salary development.

The conference as part of Kristiania's strategy

The WIL conference is thus part of Kristiania's strategy to become a working life university. Thon says that they want to find their own model for work-integrated learning, but also learn from others.

— We will find the Kristiania model, but within the definition of work-integrated learning. I think all departments/schools at Kristiania already have activities that are within work-integrated learning, but they may not be fully aware of it yet, Thon concludes.