War and conflict in various parts of the world affect many students and employees. On this page you will find information about policy and available support in such matters.
As a public institution, UiS follows the main lines of Norwegian foreign policy. This applies, for example, to sanctions, procurement policy, export control and travel advice. UiS also makes its own decisions and policies in specific areas.
We also have a responsibility to take care of students and employees who are affected by crisis or conflict. They are followed up by their departments, and have access to support services if necessary.
Below you will find more details on specific topics.
Do you need someone to talk to?
Some may be emotionally affected by dramatic events and need to talk to someone.
Employees affected by war, conflicts or other outrageous events can contact their immediate supervisor. They can also contact Bedriftshelsetenesta (see the HMS handbook on the intranet).
Students affected can make use of the following support services:
Book an appointment
If you need to talk, you can book an appointment with Studentsamskipnaden. If it is urgent to get help, there are several help offers for students that can be useful.
Student chaplain
UiS also has its own student chaplain. The student chaplain can be of support to you as a student when you feel that something is demanding
Guidelines for declarations of support and flagging
UiS has routines for flagging, declarations of support and other markings for major events and conflicts in the world.
There are many issues one can support, condemn or have other opinions about. We have come to the conclusion that it is not our role as an institution to issue statements of support and condemnation on such issues.
UiS's role is to facilitate freedom of expression and diversity of opinion. Among other things, we want to be an open arena for debate on any and all social issues. In this way, we can engage, for example, with colleagues and students in countries where education and research have more difficult conditions than in Norway.
If the university is directly involved in an incident, the assessment will be different.
Policy for flagging at UiS
UiS has a main flagpole on "Flagghøgda" outside SiS studenthouse and five flagpoles outside Arne Rettedals hus.
These rules apply:
- The Norwegian flag (the national flag - with splits and tongue) is raised on the main flagpole on all official flag days. An exception, see the next point
- Sami people's national day, 6 February: The Sami flag is raised on the main flagpole.
- Other regular flag days: Semester opening, annual party. Then normal flags (trade flags/party flags) are used on the main flagpole.
- Festivals: During The National Science Week and other festivals where UiS is a co-organizer, our own flags/banners are used on the flagpole in front of Arne Rettedal's house. To be clarified with the Department of Communication and Public Relations (AKS). During Skeivå Rogaland Pride, the UiS flag is used on pole number three.
- Trade flag/festival flag (national flag) at half-mast at funerals of employees, students and other persons with a strong connection to UiS
- Other countries' flags can be flown next to the Norwegian flag in front of Arne Rettedals hus out of respect for international courtesy (formal visits of the type of ambassadors, heads of state, etc.). To be clarified with AKS.
- Exceptions to the flag policy must be approved by AKS. Rector has called for a restrictive practice.
The flag regulations were last updated on January 6, 2026.
The Middle East
UiS has had collaboration with Israel and Palestine for many years, but has terminated our agreements with Israel.
On June 6, 2024, the university board decided that UiS will end its institutional cooperation with Israel.
Based on the decision, UiS terminated a cooperation agreement with the University of Haifa in 2024 on internships for nursing students.
The research project Polysulfate Feasibility Study with Israel Chemicals Ltd. (ICL Group) was already concluded in June 2024. UiS has no other ongoing institutional research collaborations.
Regarding the State of Palestine, UiS has for many years exchanged students and employees with An-Najah National University in Nablus. There are currently no outgoing students due to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' travel advice.
We also have a cooperation agreement with Palestine Ahliya University through the NORPART project AIESI (Applied Informatics for Energy System Integration). The project will end in December 2026.
The University of Stavanger has joined NorPal (Norwegian article). This consortium consists of Norwegian higher education institutions that will collaborate on the reconstruction of higher education and research in Palestine. The Students and Academics International Aid Fund (SAIH) will coordinate the work with NorPal.
UiS's purchasing policy
Some employees wonder whether Israel's warfare on the Gaza Strip has consequences for our purchasing policy.
As a public enterprise, UiS must comply with national authorities, and follows their recommendations and guidelines. So far, no state boycott of Israel has been introduced.
Guidelines for purchasing
UiS adheres to The Norwegian Agency for Public and Financial Management (DFØ) guidelines for purchasing, as well as recommendations from Ethical Trade Norway. We follow up our suppliers in line with recommendations from DFØ and their guidance for public procurement (Rettleiing for offentlige anskaffing).
PC
Some employees have specifically asked if it is possible to buy a new PC as a replacement for the current HP machine. The reason is that HP is criticized for supplying technology used by Israel in the warfare in Gaza. As of today, UiS does not have any alternative within the university's purchasing agreements that would satisfy this wish.
At their meeting 6 June 2024 the board agreed to take initiative to terminate procurement agreements involving Israel through SIKT (Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research).
Airbnb
Airbnb shall not be used, cf. resolution item 2 from the board meeting on June 6, 2024 in connection with the board matter "Request for an academic boycott of Israel".
UiS's support for Ukraine
UiS has welcomed and provided language training to many Ukrainian students since 2022.
Many young Ukrainians fled after Russia's full-scale invasion. UiS has taken in many of these and provided them with training in Norwegian language and culture. Many have also been accepted into English-language master's programs.
UiS has helped organise, or contributed in other ways, to concerts and other events for Ukrainians. The university supports social activities aimed specifically at Ukrainian students, under the direction of the student chaplain.
Our Centre for research in early childhood education and care has created a digital library for Ukrainian refugee children.
In 2026, the University of Stavanger (UiS) launched a research project with Lviv Polytechnic National University. Together, they will develop new, sustainable sodium batteries using advanced nanotechnology. Ukrainian expertise will help improve the efficiency of the batteries, with the potential for widespread use across Europe.
This is part of the Government’s initiative to connect research communities from the two countries. The Research Council of Norway has approved the project and provided financial support.