In early September, Dr. Watson represented the BID4R lab at the Norwegian Defense Material Agency Systems Engineering Summit and at a visit to the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) in Kongsberg, hosted by Dr. Satyanarayana Kokkula, PhD, CSEP. This experience demonstrated the growing demand for systems engineering, innovative approaches to education, and the importance of context. The experience reinforced the key principle that past decisions constrain future designs.
There is a growing demand for Systems Engineering expertise across both defense and industry in Scandinavia. Discussions with participants highlighted not only strong technical expertise, but also a clear desire to expand the integration of systems methods to address complex, real-world challenges. At USN, this demand was reflected in the structure of their MS in Systems Engineering program, built in close collaboration with industry. The program supports working engineers while maintaining high academic standards, providing a model for how graduate-level systems education can be responsive to professional needs.
USN’s innovative approach to systems education emphasizes reflexive practice—encouraging students to critically examine how methods are applied in practice. This design bridges theoretical foundations with practical application, ensuring graduates are not only technically capable but also able to adapt to diverse professional contexts. The structure illustrates the diversity of pedagogical approaches to Systems Engineering worldwide, and offers useful lessons for the design of future educational programs.
The importance of context was a key topic during the summit. A standout presentation from a historian highlighted the regional defense history, situating contemporary systems challenges within broader geopolitical and cultural frames. At Akershus Fortress, centuries of adaptation were visible as the site transitioned from a medieval defensive structure to a prison in the modern era. At USN, the Berseminaret—the oldest university building in Norway—demonstrated the coexistence of tradition and modernity, where historic carved frames and architecture house classrooms equipped with touch-screen technology. These examples underscored a key principle of Systems Engineering: in Brownfield Systems, the future is constrained by prior design decisions. This reflects the concept of the “adjacent possible”— new uses and capabilities are bounded by existing structures.
BID4R Lab 