One of the main goals of NTNU is to provide Norway with an internationally competitive level of technological know-how. The University has given priority to six research areas where NTNU is to be among the internationally leading universities.
ENERGY AND PETROLEUM - RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT: "Technology for a cleaner future" - NTNU is engaged in improving knowledge about sustainable production and the consumption of energy. Knowledge about new sources of renewable energy and energy carriers is particularly important.
GLOBALIZATION: As of March 2004, Globalization is to be NTNU's sixth Strategic Area. Our emphasis on globalization is profiled through two focus research areas: "Production systems in a globalized world" and "The cultural and social expression of globalization".
INFORMATION and COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY: "NTNU’s research within ICT must hold both national and international significance" - Our strategy within ICT is organised according to methods for advanced and creative research. Researchers should have the freedom to do in-depth studies of their research fields. At the same time, NTNU can utilize a wide range of academic and scientific expertise – from physics to philosophy – to develop interdisciplinary products.
MARINE and MARITIME TECHNOLOGY: The strategic area seeks to strenghen the knowledge required to maintain competetive and sustainable marine and maritime industries. During the last 30 years, aquaculture and the offshore development of petroleum resources have been added as significant activities at NTNU.
Almost 250 man-years are devoted to such research at this university.
MATERIALS: "Materials - basis of all new technology" - Norway is one of the world's largest exporters of many vital materials. An example is that 25 % of the silicon for PCs all over the world is from Norway. Over the years, Materials science at NTNU has developed strong research groups covering a wide variety of disciplines, from geomaterials to semiconductors.
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY: We believe that strategic cooperation between different disciplines will generate innovative ideas and solutions. Hence, there is a close collaboration between researchers working in technology and medicine. The objective of this research is the provision of optimized individual treatment and medication for our patients.
