Støre says at the press conference that it is up to the individual university, and not him as prime minister, to assess this matter. – I do not want to make any further assessments until we are familiar with Nord University’s treatment, says Støre. – I have confidence in Ingvild as Minister of Health and Care, and I am pleased that Nord University will now carry out an assessment of the task. Since Saturday, news and other media have revealed that several sentences in the master’s thesis Ingvild Kjerkol and a fellow student submitted in 2021 are identical to text in other master’s theses and subject texts. The Minister of Health and Care denied on “Dagsrevyen” on Saturday that he had copied parts of another master’s thesis in the thesis. She then explained similarities in the text by using the same method. Minister of Health and Care Ingvild Kjerkol, pictured here in Lofoten on 12 December. Photo: Vilde Bratland Erikstad On Sunday, Kjerkol admitted to the press that parts of the text similarities in her master’s thesis actually stem from an earlier thesis. Nord University, which approved the master’s thesis, says they will process the case thoroughly, but cannot answer on Monday how long it will take. – Must be treated like other students The Prime Minister says on Monday evening that this case raises questions about the integrity of submitted exam papers at educational institutions, and that he takes the case seriously and is concerned that it is dealt with thoroughly. – The media have come up with assessments of text similarity. It is then important to stick to the fact that it is up to each individual university and university college what constitutes a breach of the regulations, he says. Støre emphasizes that Kjerkol is treated like other students in similar situations. Disagreement among experts Several experts believe Kjerkol’s explanations do not measure up. Law professor Tarjei Bekkedal at the University of Oslo assessed Kjerkol’s master’s thesis on Saturday. On Sunday, he told news that the type of explanation Kjerkol gives is never accepted in “cheating cases” he has been involved in assessing. But others believe that it is all just due to sloppiness, and that the copying in the assignment will not be reflected in the grade basis. On Sunday, the Prime Minister said this to the media: – I have spoken to Ingvild Kjerkol about the information about her task that has come to light over the weekend. Now it is important to get a full overview of this matter, wrote Støre in an e-mail to, among others, news on Sunday afternoon: – I understand that Nord University will look into the matter, and that is good.
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Jonas Gahr Støre meets the press about the Kjerkol case – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
