The Student Parliament has established an International Committee

The Student Parliament has long discussed how to better involve international students in its work. In the spring of 2025, the Parliament expressed its intention to establish an International Committee. By the autumn of 2025, a formal mandate for the committee was adopted, and the Executive Committee has now officially established it.

The International Committee meeting in November. From the left: Members Erick Fernando Arcos Velazquez, Ilse Ribbens, Francis Onyango Dede and Chair Christian Landbo Olesen.

The purpose of the committee is to ensure that international students’ voices are heard by providing a forum where issues can be discussed in English. The majority of international students only attend OsloMet for a single semester, which makes it difficult for them to actively engage in student democracy. In addition, the language barrier poses a challenge, as English-speaking students may find it hard to follow Student Parliament meetings, where the working language is Norwegian.

Through this committee, the Executive Committee will gain a better understanding of the everyday lives and challenges of international students; insight that can be brought into parliamentary discussions and broader political work.

The committee’s work aims to ensure that international students are represented in decision-making processes affecting their studies and rights. While the committee does not have formal decision-making authority, it functions as an advisory body to the Student Parliament.

Tasks

  • Advise the Student Parliament on matters concerning international students.
  • Report issues affecting international students.
  • Raise and discuss topics that impact international students.
  • Discuss relevant issues scheduled for discussion in the Student Parliament.
  • Provide updates during Student Parliament meetings when possible.
  • When relevant matters concerning international students are discussed in the Parliament, the committee’s statement may be attached to the case documents.
  • Meet at least once per month, with additional meetings as needed.
  • The Executive Committee is obligated to follow up on the committee’s suggestions and advice and to bring them forward to relevant bodies.

Composition

The committee is chaired by the Education and Internationalization Officer (UIA) and consists of international students at OsloMet. Membership is open to both exchange students and full-degree international students. The committee can have up to 20 members. All members have the right to attend meetings but are not required to do so.

As of November 2025, the International Committee has 13 members. The Executive Committee is pleased with the strong engagement and the opportunity to amplify the voices of international students.