IKP bases our activity on the same values as NTNU and the Faculty of Natural Sciences (NV): creative, critical, constructive and respectful:

CREATIVE: Academic freedom is the basis for our activities. We take on challenging questions and tasks, and we seek innovative solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration. NTNU supports the development of disciplines, people and cultures. We value and encourage innovation among students and staff as well as innovative teaching and research.

CRITICAL: Our activities build on fundamental democratic values and we represent an unprejudiced and independent voice. The hallmarks of our academic culture are debate, critical reflection, fact-based knowledge, impartiality and ethical integrity. We challenge conventional ideas and solutions.

CONSTRUCTIVE: We engage in an open and solution-oriented dialogue with society and emphasize both external and internal collaboration. We take social responsibility and we influence, advise and develop each other and our environment through dialogue and dissemination of knowledge. NTNU emphasizes co-determination and active involvement by students and employees.

RESPECTFUL: Every employee and student has a responsibility to contribute to a work and study environment characterized by respect and consideration. We facilitate personal growth and professional development. We contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in society and in our own activities. We promote equality and tolerance. At NTNU, we show respect for varying attitudes and opinions.

Chemical engineering involves development, design and operation of chemical processes on an industrial scale. It relies on fundamental understanding of basic principles from chemistry, biology and physics and combines them with mathematical and economic models to obtain optimized technical solutions.

The Department of Chemical Engineering (IKP) is the only department in Norway that educates master’s candidates in chemical engineering and we have a mission to support the development of Norwegian process industry.

Through research and education, the department will contribute to innovation and development of sustainable solutions that protect the environment and assures sound use of resources, in line with the UN sustainability goals.

With its long tradition and generic character, chemical engineering has the capacity to adapt to the changing needs for process development in society. IKP has had a central role in education and research for Norway’s petroleum-based industry. Environmental challenges, the need for sustainable solutions and the shift in use of energy and materials provide IKP with unique potential for new developments in our education and research activities.

To provide sufficient and relevant education, research and innovation within the green shift, IKP will require a specific focus on recruitment and on the development of a high-quality environment for work and study.

Close cooperation with industry, research institutes, and domestic and international universities is crucial to assure relevance, cross-disciplinary cooperation and innovation in our research and education.

IKP contributes to defining national goals and offers scientific support for the development of energy-efficient and sustainable process technology and in this way, we contribute to the UN’s sustainability goals and the green shift

IKP is characterized by a generous and inclusive organization culture (One IKP), with motivated, engaged and competent employees and students. IKP facilitates a health-promoting environment for study and work, characterized by a culture of sharing, quality and dedication to the work

IKP is Norway’s main institution for education of master’s candidates in chemical engineering and leads the development of the discipline nationally. IKP is the first choice for students who wish to study chemical engineering and we attract highly qualified applicants. The number of graduates and their qualifications should correspond to the requirements of businesses, process industry and PhD admission and should allow and promote the development of new sustainable process technology in Norway. Our graduates are qualified to become attractive employees. We use digital learning platforms and active student participation, with close collaboration between students and staff in the department. Our education is internationally calibrated through exchange with universities abroad and the international master’s programme in chemical engineering that we offer

Our scientific areas of research are central in a domestic and international context and our best researchers are internationally leading in their fields of expertise. IKP hosts and participates in several Norwegian Research Council projects, Centres, and EU projects with a long list of partners from research institutes, industry and businesses. Experimental investigations are crucial for IKP, and well-equipped and up-to-date laboratories are a key element in our competitiveness. Our empirical research produces data of high quality, enabling analyses based on facts, validation of models and simulations to extend the value of the data and assure proper use of resources. IKP’s strength lies in our ability for knowledge production based on high competence in both calculations and experiments and how these two disciplines together can increase understanding and assessments of project relevance, thereby assisting the development of sustainable resources management

In 2025 IKP is Norway’s main institution for education of master’s candidates in chemical engineering and leads the national development of the discipline. IKP is the first choice for students who wish to study chemical engineering and we attract highly qualified applicants. The number of educated candidates and their qualifications should match the needs of businesses, process industry and PhD admission and should allow and promote the development of new sustainable process technology in Norway. Our candidates become attractive employees who contribute to the development of society through implementation of new knowledge and technology. IKP educates candidates with collaborative skills combined with a capacity for critical independent thinking.

The strategy is based on three pillars:

• Quality in our education
• Education of internationally outstanding candidates in Chemical Engineering
• Development of a good learning environment

DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

IKP will:

• Have the main national responsibility for education of candidates with a master’s degree in chemical engineering. IKP is the first choice for students who want to study chemical engineering and we attract highly qualified applicants
• Ensure that our education is aligned with international degrees through exchange and cooperation agreements with universities abroad, and by running our own international master’s programme in chemical engineering
• Support research-based development of teaching methods through systematic pedagogical development characterized by student-active learning and close collaboration between students and faculty members
• Secure the relevance of our study programmes through cooperation with businesses and industry and thus know the future needs for competence. Involve students in research and innovation work, especially through our centres and larger research projects
• Promote research-based education, characterized by a well-balanced mix of laboratory teaching, theoretical in-depth studies, interdisciplinary project work, innovation, and the ability to critically reflect on the execution of one’s own profession
• Contribute to students’ social life and identity by offering common areas for group work and social activities

In 2025 IKP has a strong and successful research tradition. Our research disciplines are central in a domestic and international context and our best researchers are internationally leading in their fields of expertise. IKP hosts and participates in several Norwegian Research Council projects, Centres and EU projects with a long list of partners from research institutes, industry and businesses. Experimental investigations are crucial for IKP and well-equipped and up-to-date laboratories are a key element in our competitiveness. Our empirical research produces data of high quality, enabling analyses based on facts, validation of models and simulations to extend the value of the data and assure proper use of resources. IKP’s strength lies in our ability for knowledge production based on high competence in both calculations and experiments and how these two disciplines together can contribute to increased understanding and assessments of project relevance, thereby assisting the development of sustainable resources management.

The strategy is based on three pillars:

• Development of talents and outstanding research groups, with focus on quality improvement throughout our business
• Research in accordance with NTNU's ethical guidelines and UN's Sustainability Development Goals
• IKP's uniqueness and strength within computational and experimentally based knowledge production, as a basis for digitalization of the process industry

DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

IKP will:

• Support the department’s research groups in their work to actively seek leadership in domestic and international calls and initiatives, interdisciplinary collaboration, and participation in research policy arenas
• Strengthen outstanding research groups to increase the success rate in international arenas for competition for research funds
• Strengthen research collaboration with process industry and contribute to the development of sustainable businesses. IKP will prioritize research that falls within the UN’s sustainability goals and contribute to responsible research and innovation in society
• Cooperate with SINTEF and other important partners on research infrastructure and joint research projects
• Ensure that the PhD programme at IKP has sufficient capacity and maintains a high international level of quality. Ensure that our candidates have the necessary competence to contribute to sustainable development of society in research and business. Focus on proper supervision and close assessment of PhD candidates to ensure that they complete their thesis
• Be characterized by high quality in experimental, calculation-based and theoretical research and assure this through highly qualified employees in technical staff, specialized research laboratories equipped with modern scientific equipment made available to all relevant users, and the necessary capacity for modelling and simulation based on our results
• Deliver research based on proper understanding of scientific methods and the highest standards in our fact-based analyses

The outcome of the research shall benefit society, either through its fundamental value in publishing or through commercialization. An important channel is through cooperation projects with industry where the research assists improvement in efficiency. Through participation in research projects and centres, IKP will contribute to classic innovation by inventions, entrepreneurship activities, and incremental improvements in close cooperation with industry. The department’s close cooperation with industry is a strength that should be used to secure funding, relevance and quality of the research.

DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

IKP will:

• Contribute to sustainable value creation and innovation competence for society through our research and education
• Harvest innovation potential from research groups and centres
• Increase innovation competence among employees and students
• Facilitate IPR use and encourage and support entrepreneurship and offshoots
• Develop and strengthen the cooperation with sustainable process industry

In 2025 IKP has a strong tradition of publishing research results to the chemical engineering community at conferences and in scientific and technical journals. The potential for dissemination of research to the general public is large. Many topics in the public debate are complicated, and clear, knowledge-based dissemination of the connections between energy use, environmental issues, purification, and climate technology is necessary. Society expects that research funds be followed up by dissemination of important findings.

The strategy is based on three pillars:

• Dissemination of research results to students and the scientific community
• Dissemination to the general public
• User-specific research dissemination for groups that will have direct use of the knowledge or technology

DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

IKP will:

• Challenge our academic staff to get involved in the public debate and provide the necessary training and support to perform research dissemination
• Make sure that students and PhD candidates receive training in dissemination
• Contribute with information dissemination directed towards youngsters and children and actively participate in recruitment to our own and other relevant technology and science study programmes
• Ensure that updated information about the department is available on the web pages

IKP values interdisciplinary activities and stimulates collaboration and a culture of sharing at the department, with the rest of NTNU, and with external partners. This collaboration assures relevance in education and research and contributes to societal needs for innovation and interdisciplinary competence.

DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

IKP will:

• Assure relevance in our educational programs through cooperation with external partners and monitor their needs for future competence within chemical engineering
• Contribute actively to lower barriers – both organizational and financial – to promote interdisciplinary work by taking advantage of NTNU’s size and diversity, as well as removing barriers to the use of infrastructure

The departments’ most important resources are students and employees. IKP facilitates the development of employee competence in accordance with the shifting needs and the prerequisites and needs of the employees. Strategic personnel plans and development plans for employees are important tools for realization of the strategy

DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

IKP will:

• Create the conditions for employees in recruitment positions to obtain the best possible credentials for a future academic career
• Maintain an active personnel policy that contributes to sound work and learning environments, emphasizing recruitment, development of co-workers, equality and diversity
• Facilitate the development of employees’ competence
• Assist and motivate the development of co-workers to engage in leadership roles on all levels
• Use both assistant and permanent professorships to acquire the necessary experience from the external chemical engineering profession in industry as well as research centres 
• Provide high-quality supervision and facilitate the achievements and well-being of our students

IKP has motivated, engaged and competent employees and students. IKP facilitates a health-promoting study and learning environment, characterized by a culture of sharing, quality and high work effort. Leaders have a special responsibility for the work environment and work systematically with health, environment and safety (HSE). Participation through information channels, forums of representation, boards, ad hoc decision groups, and performance interviews are important for the possibilities of employees and students to contribute and be heard with respect to important decision-making processes.

DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

IKP will:

• Ensure that respect, generosity and inclusion are features of our culture, and allocate time and resources for achieving this
• Follow up the work environment surveys through a process of cooperation, participation and accountability
• Systematically work with health, environment and safety and develop a health-promoting and attractive work and study environment
• Develop further a culture and a work and study environment which inspires students and employees to perform at their best, in line with the goals of the department

IKP is characterized by a unified ability to promote the common goals and ambitions of the department by stimulating the sharing of knowledge. The department assures that proper internal communication is promoted to clarify responsibilities and expectations of employees and groups. IKP is characterized by high competence, professionalism, flexibility, efficient work processes, as well as targeted cooperation across groups and functions. The department is an attractive workplace. It facilitates professional development for its employees and sets goals for an attractive work environment and stimulating positive collaboration. IKP is co-located and the infrastructure holds a high standard to enable the ambitions of the department. Our researchers have access to relevant and updated research infrastructure, which is constantly adapted to the demands required to enable research of high quality. IKP will have established a robust digital infrastructure that supports scientific, technical and administrative work in an efficient and proper manner. IKP will have a well-functioning system for information security, which enables us to fulfil ethical and judicial obligations.

DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

IKP will:

• Exhibit clear leadership on all levels and assure proper flow of information, dialogue, and participation
• Increase the number of permanent academic staff and provide for an optimal balance between academic, technical, and administrative employees at the department
• Be an attractive employer, which recruits the best-qualified applicants for our positions
• Possess relevant competence and efficient systems for technical and administrative support functions, adapted to the scientific activities
• Improve the gender balance, equality and diversity among students and employees
• Work for a functional localization for all our groups which lowers barriers and facilitates cooperation and interdisciplinary work
• Work for the best possible co-location of IKP

IKP prioritizes resources to fulfil its mission and to secure high quality in education, research, innovation and dissemination. The department is characterized by a culture of improvement and development to reach our goals. IKP has a robust, efficient, and solution-oriented administration. IKP’s technical support functions are of sufficient capacity and well adapted to developing scientific activities. Our students and employees use functional and innovative digital tools. IKP has proper systems and routines for taking care of information security, emergency preparedness, and privacy.

DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

IKP will:

• Secure proper resource allocation processes that contribute to increased productivity and secure capability to implement strategic priorities and renewal of the department
• Use digital tools and standardized routines and work processes
• Continuously develop IKP’s research and education programmes to ensure that they are on a high international level and able to meet the challenges of the future