Partnerships · India
Possible cooperation in India, agreement signed with SPYM
2026
Rector Karl Johan Johansen travelled to India and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SPYM, one of the country's largest organisations in mental health and addiction work.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses (SPYM). In its own newsletter SPYM described the partnership as “a significant step towards fostering international cooperation and shared learning in the field of social development and rehabilitation services through structured internship programmes”.
The visit included the SPYM Hotla Mubarakpur Centre, a rehabilitation service located in a poorer urban area with many people sleeping in the streets and considerable substance use challenges. India has both peer support workers and its own training programmes for them at several levels, which opens good opportunities for mutual learning.
The scale of need is very different from Norway, while resources are far smaller. Services are therefore forced to work in a well-organised, smart and efficient way, and people with lived experience turn out to be decisive in reaching those who need help. SPYM works far more group-oriented than is common in Norway, with practical activities and community mobilisation that are interesting to study further. Their own approach to group teaching in practical life skills is a particular source of pride.
KBT has previously signed letters of intent in India with, among others, Swahid Kanaklata Barua State University in Assam, and has been in contact with the Norwegian embassy in India.
