Norway Forsikringsakademiet (The Norwegian Academy of Insurance) Magne Förre Managing Director Postboks 2555 Solli N-0202 Oslo Phone: *47 22 04 86 51 Fax: *47 22 44 00 79 Website: www.forsakad.no E-Mail: magne@bi.no Forsikringsakademiet (NAI) is an institution established by the Norwegian insurance industry in 1950 and goverened by a board appointed by the insurance companies, the employees' association, and the staff of NAI. General rules for the activity are laid down by the board, while groups of profes-sionals from the different branches of insurance, appointed by the NAI, are responsible for development and maintenance of the content of the different courses. There are no state regulations except for training of brokers. All courses (modules) are finished by a written examination, and papers are marked by external examiners. Those who pass get diplomas, both for individual courses and when they are completing the Insurance Examination and Higher Insurance Examination. A special programme for marine insurers was integrated in the general education model from 1990. The different courses (modules) at Forsikringsakademiet have yearly about 3 000 participants (2000 persons). The purpose of the NAI is to organize education, publish text-books and other study material and administer examinations in subjects related to insurance for employees in the insurance industry, on a non profit basis. The NAI organize • Basic general introduction to insurance (compulsory for all new employees) • A five year part-time programme of insurance education • Authorization of insurance sales personnel, brokers and claims officers (training and examinations) • Shorter courses and conferences in subjects related to insurance • to set and maintain high standards of professionalism In cooperation with Oslo State College the NAI provides education in insurance subjects to full time students who wishes to specialize in this field as part of their diploma in Business admininstration (appr. 40 per year) Through the close connection to the insurance industry, the NAI has access to and can draw upon the experts and competence of the companies, and can thus be responsible for develop-ment and maintenance of the insurance related courses. On the other hand, the academy is too small to be able to maintain a similar competence in subjects as law, finance and management, and therefore cooperate with universities and other institutions of higher education, and integrate ("buy") courses from their syllabus in the programme. This enables us to offer courses of high quality, and at the same time makes it possible to credit students for relevant exams from other institutions. A completed insurance education is also recognized by the Norwegian colleges and universities, making it possible for our candidates to integrate their exams in a university degree. NAI has over the years developed a decentralized system of studies, normally selfstudy/studygroups and correspondence combined with short seminars. Where and when it is possible, the seminars are organized locally. Examinations are decentralised, so that the students can take the tests in their home towns. It is also possible for the insurance companies to organize in-company training for their own employees. The students are taking the same exams as our regular students; the NAI providing necessary course material and leaving the organizing of the studies to the company's training department.