– I have made a mistake, lie down flat, and can do nothing but learn from it, Våge writes in a Linkedin post she has given Dagbladet permission to quote.
It was Stavanger Aftenblads Byas who first mentioned the case that the board of the line association for electrical and data at the University of Stavanger had spent 200,000 common kroner on a trip to Dubai.
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Reactions
The blue trip was only for the 12 board members of the line association with around 450 members.
At the beginning of the board period, they should have been told that they would be rewarded with a blue trip if they did a good job, which should have been common practice. According to Byas, previous trips have been to other cities in Norway, or neighboring countries, and the budget should have been around 5,000 per person.
Byas writes that several students have reacted to the board going to Dubai, and believes the money should have been spent on the community. The University of Stavanger also believes that the choice of tour was wrong.
– I think they have moved beyond what one should have done here. It is not uncommon for line associations to travel on social science trips, but then it has been normal to visit something with a professional interest, and have it socially as well.
He says that the university has followed up the case in recent days, even though the line associations are not under the university’s formal organization. On Wednesday, they had a meeting with the student organization.
– I must say that the student organization takes this seriously, and this will not happen again. We have agreed that clear rules and guidelines should be in place, and it is important that it is the students themselves who decide these, Ringdal concludes.
sea view
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– Stands to iron
In his explanation, Våge says that the board was left with “some money” in the account.
– To reward the board for the effort, and make it attractive for new, potential board members to step in, we chose to do something extra around this year’s trip.
– The intention was good. But the implementation is failing, she continues.
There have also been reactions to the fact that the choice of tour fell on Dubai in particular. The country is known as a luxury paradise, but also for violating human rights. Homosexuality is criminalized, while the law in the country allows violence against women, according to Amnesty.
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Våge explains that Dubai was chosen as a destination because it was one of the few countries that was not affected by corona restrictions.
– It was simply not well thought out – and that responsibility I as leader and responsible for the trip must take on my cloak, Våge admits.
She writes that she has received many unpleasant messages after the case became known.
– It has affected me, and I think it’s sad to see what some people write. Some messages have simply hurt. At the same time, I can not help but thank myself. The part of the criticism that is at issue, and not the person, is deserved and justified.
Avisa writes that previous boards have also gone on tour. Then it has cost around 5000 kroner per person.
Admits: – Crying every time
Takes self-criticism for media statements
In her statements to Byas when the case became known, the 24-year-old did not criticize the trip, after thinking about it, she regrets it.
– Since my intention was good, it has been difficult for me to accept how wrong this turned out. Therefore, I also see that my statements in the media in connection with this case simply do not look good, she writes.
24-year-old Våge has a successful sports career in motocross behind her, where she won two NM golds.
In 2015, she was named female motorsport athlete of the year. In 2021, she participated in the well-known NRK program Mesternes mester.
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