Students of geology and technical geosciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim recently had a unique opportunity to explore and learn more about their subjects. This was made possible through a study trip scheme supported by Geonor. Not only has this provided the students with valuable academic insights, it has also opened doors for possible future collaborations and career opportunities.
In March, the students each went on a study trip, driven by curiosity and a desire to explore subject areas that are directly relevant to their studies. Geonor contributed to the financing of the trips, which very much proved to meet the students' expectations.
However, the study trip was not only of academic value. Geology student Mari Schaanning greatly appreciates the contact they have made with Geonor through the trip:
-"Geonor is both relevant as a future workplace and as a partner further down the line. We sent a letter of application with a plan for the excursion, and quickly received a positive response. It was a very positive meeting with the business community.
Olaf Ødegård and Geonor see supporting education and professional development as a priority, and the sponsorship of these study tours is a direct expression of this commitment. By giving NTNU students the opportunity to explore fields closely related to Geonor's business, such as geotechnics, hydrogeology and monitoring, the company hopes to build strong relationships with future talent in the field.
The geology students travelled to Italy, where they explored much of the country's geology, including volcanism, the formation of mountain ranges and various crystallizations. The tour group rented cars, so they got even more of an impression of Italy as they traveled between destinations and places to stay along the way. This gave them a good insight into the variety and diversity of the landscape.
On some of the days, the students spent time with an Italian geology class. This gave them someone to share their knowledge with and, not least, they made new acquaintances. The trip was rewarding both academically and socially:
-"The cohesion in the class has become stronger, and we've been able to do a lot of fun things together," says Mari.
The days were full of content, with professional refreshment during the day and cultural refreshment in the afternoon and evening.
-"After the day's excursions were over, we went sightseeing. We got to see a lot of the cities we were in, as well as venerable buildings and cozy vineyards," Mari continues.
And perhaps most importantly for a group of NTNU geology students: one of the days they went hiking. This gave them a unique opportunity to link the knowledge they had acquired to the landscape they were in the middle of.
Technical geoscience students also had unforgettable experiences on their trip to Spain. Under the guidance of former Equinor geologist Ragnar Knarud, the students delved into the depositional history of the Ainsa Basin. This knowledge was linked to the conditions on the seabed in the North Sea, giving the students a valuable perspective on geological processes.
Krishna Panthi, a professor of engineering geology at NTNU, was also on the trip and helped to link geological conditions in the Ainsa area with engineering geology challenges. This gave the students an insightful picture of how theory meets practice in engineering.
On the final day, the students were introduced to the large-scale teutonics that have shaped the Pyrenees. This spectacular experience provided a deeper insight into the geological forces that have shaped the landscape around them.
For the students in both groups, there is no doubt that they have been on great trips, characterized by both academic exploration and relationship building. For its part, Geonor is pleased to see that the NTNU students had such a positive experience of the study trip. This confirmed that it is valuable to support education and talent development.
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