More Greenlanders will take their education in Denmark

More Greenlanders will take their education in Denmark

If Greenland chooses to become independent, according to an expert in Greenlandic politics, this would mean that education opportunities would need to be negotiated.

Carl Artaartik Taunajik Florian Sørensen comes from the town of Tasiilaq in East Greenland, but has lived in Denmark since he went to after-school. 44 minutes ago

When the menu is for further education, a growing number of Greenlanders would like to bypass Denmark.

Data from the Ministry of Education and Research shows that where there were 118 people with a Greenlandic high school diploma seeking admission to Danish universities six years ago, the number for 2024 is now 145 applicants.

This can certainly be understood by Carl Artaartik Taunajik Florian Sørensen. He was born and raised in the town of Tasiilaq in East Greenland and now lives in the Aarhus suburb of Tilst.

- I come from a place that is very remote and isolated, but where many dreams and wishes can arise. For example, the desire to become a nurse, and Denmark is a wonderful place to study.

And exactly that choice he made. He is studying nursing in Viborg, where he is currently on leave before continuing his studies.

- It means a lot. I come from a place where one cannot study to become a nurse, and moving to West Greenland would be something completely different for me. So I chose to study in Denmark, where I have many acquaintances and family.

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'It is important to be able to study in Denmark'

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When there is a little voting in Greenland, some of the Greenlandic students are among those who can vote by mail.

- One can vote if one is a student in Denmark. It is difficult to know how large a percentage will vote, but I am sure that more will use the opportunity, says Tanja Nielsen, who is director of the Greenlandic House in Aarhus.

And even though the election may feel far away for many of the Greenlandic students in Denmark, Tanja Nielsen tells that the opportunity for education means a lot.

- Since not all courses are offered in Greenland, it is important to be able to study in Denmark. Both due to the level of education, but also for one's subsequent job situation.

Nursing student Carl Artaartik Taunajik Florian Sørensen cannot vote in the election himself. Although students can vote by mail, it is a condition that the residence outside of Greenland is temporary.

Even he hopes that the many parties' desire for independence will not become reality. And he hopes that the opportunity for education will be preserved regardless.

- I hope that common sense will be shown in maintaining the education opportunities for Greenlandic students. One thing is to give up completely, but there are good opportunities here in Denmark, and it seems to me it would be a shame to give up on that.

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Education opportunities will need to be negotiated during independence

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If Greenland were to take the law and send a letter to Denmark stating that they would secede tomorrow, Greenlandic citizens would, as a matter of course, not have any rights in Denmark.

But the entire concept of self-rule law is that a potential choice of Greenlandic independence should not be a secession, but instead a negotiation. This is what an expert in Greenlandic politics says.

- The problem is that one does not necessarily have a right to anything whatsoever on the other side of independence. It is a political negotiation, where Denmark can show itself more or less willing, says Ulrik Pram Gad, senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies.

He does not think that the Greenlandic students should be concerned about losing their education opportunities.

- If Greenland one day asks for negotiations about independence, there will be many knots to untangle. I think that education rights in Denmark will be one of them that will be easier for Denmark to give in on.

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