Trondheim is the Norway's Capital of Technology. The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim's internationally renowned university, and the city's many research communities ensure that it is a city of innovation and development of science, business and industry ventures.
NTNU has the main national responsibility for education and research in technology. Eighty per cent of the country's civil engineers have been educated here, and many NTNU graduates now hold important positions in Norwegian businesses and industry.
The university places extra focus on technological fields where the level of competence in Norway is to keep pace with high international standards. This includes energy and the environment, medical technology, materials, marine and maritime research and information and communication technology.
Heraldic rosettes with a varying number of petals have been associated with this city for centuries. The five-petalled rose of the 18th century has mainly been used as a symbol of the city by itself. During this period the Rose of Trondheim was frequently used by the Major and the Aldermen.
In the 1920’s, when the Government wanted to change the city’s name to Nidaros, the partisans of Trondheim used it as a rallying point. Today the city’s flag is ornamented with this rose.
The name of the city has changed several times. The oldest known one is Nidaros, which means "town by the estuary". In the Middle Ages it was called “the Market town in Trondheimen”, later shortended to Trondheim (Home of the Trønder). Under Danish rule (1450-1814) the name of the city was spelt Trondhjem, but it was generally known has Staden or Byen (the City or the Town).
After 1 January 1930 the Norwegian Parliament adopted a motion to call it Nidaros, although the general population and the city council did not agree. After a compromise, the Parliament ruled on 6 March the same year that the city was to be called Trondheim.