Iron Maiden frontman Paul Bruce Dickinson (left) was chaffeured by Istad Kraft's marketing director Anita Øyen. Photo: Thomas Skauvik
Samfunn

Rock star and pilot thrills Molde pupils

He may not have flown himself to Molde in his private jet, but a highly respected rock star who is also a pilot, author, broadcaster and entrepreneur with a PhD in history visited Romsdal videregående skole this morning.

By MONICA AKECH SYSTAD and THOMAS SKAUVIK (photo)

Paul Bruce Dickinson, from the world famous rock band  Iron Maiden, and a highly respected rock ’n’ roll icon ignited passion among the pupils and guests who sat calmly awaiting his arrival at the school’s creative room .

Iron Maiden frontman Paul Bruce Dickinson (left) was chaffeured by Istad Kraft's marketing director Anita Øyen. Photo: Thomas Skauvik
Iron Maiden frontman Paul Bruce Dickinson (left) was chaffeured by Istad Kraft’s marketing director Anita Øyen. Photo: Thomas Skauvik

“Innovation Management is a unique program in Norway that started two years ago. The first batch of pupils are in their last year and concurrently studying at Molde University College (MUC), implying that they are pupils and students at the same time,” said Arne Rusten Syltevig, a teacher at the school.

The celebrity had honored the invitation by Istad and SpareBank 1 to speak to guests this evening at Bjørnsonhuset, but opted to visit the school in the morning to see what they had to offer, making him the second high profile personality to visit their creative school, the first being Norway’s prime minister, Erna Solberg of the conservative party.

There were several presentations by the young creative innovators with topics that ranged from environmental waste recycling, hygiene consciousness, and marketing with their latest brainchild project named OmTanken, a project aimed at caring for the environment while promoting social values in the society.

Molde University College's Geir Arne Svenning (left) and Jens Petter Straumsheim. Photo: Thomas Skauvik
Molde University College’s Geir Arne Svenning (left) and Jens Petter Straumsheim. Photo: Thomas Skauvik

Two representatives from MUC – information manager Jens Petter Straumsheim and external relations manager Geir Arne Svenning – stated that the program at the high school also includes courses at the university college. They can attain 15 credit units which is a good experience for them to balance and interact with around 2500 national and international students from all corners of the world.

Romsdal videregående skole pupils Victoria Petersen (left) and Annalin Fasting. Photo: Thomas Skauvik

“This course has been a good experience for me as it has challenged me to be better and self aware. I  intend to start my own company, in the near future,” said Annalin Fasting, who was one of the presenters. The other presenter, Victoria Petersen also said that she intends to head to the London Business School upon completing her course so as to further her vision.

At the end of the day, the three year course takes place in sequences balancing both theory and practicals. Within the first year, the pupils take on practicals for  seven weeks in a local business, and in the second year they run their own companies using the experience gained.