A better University for a better society

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following message to University staff and students today (24 September 2021):

"Dear students and colleagues,

The new academic year is now in full swing across the University of Iceland and we have begun the process of implementing our new comprehensive strategy. At the information meeting this week, I introduced key areas of the strategy, which aims primarily at developing an open and international university. The strategy also emphasises strengthening Icelandic society and enhancing our quality of life through innovation by students and researchers. 

We also focus on harnessing the resources we have, based on quality and guided by the principles of sustainability and equality. We will be putting more effort into knowledge transfer and working together with communities to strengthen trust in science and combat the spread of fake news. We want the University's new, standardised promotional material, characterised by a single shade of blue and a simple logo, to illustrate our commitment to becoming an open and interdisciplinary university that breaks down barriers.

The new strategy prioritises diversity, with a strong focus on the quality of learning and continuous improvement of study programmes, for example through the use of digital technology. We also plan to expand user-centred services for students and staff, as well as prospective students. We aim to strengthen infrastructure and make the University of Iceland a good place to work for everyone by fostering well-being and a positive work environment.

In accordance with the strategy, ambitious knowledge creation at the University will enable society to tackle a wide range of societal challenges. These include environmental changes and climate disasters which could have a serious impact on the biosphere and our society over the next decades. Today marks one milestone of many along the road to tackling the complex challenges of our time, with the première of the documentary Hinn stóri samhljómur sandsins here at the University of Iceland. The film is the work of Þorvarður Árnason, director of the University of Iceland Research Centre in Hornafjörður, and the film-maker Gunnlaugur Þór Pálsson. It explores the impact that climate change is having on glaciers, including discussion of Jökulsárlón, and will be live streamed. This is far from the first time that Þorvarður has used the powerful medium of film and photography to create scientific records of climate change.

The University of Iceland prioritises collaboration with communities outside the capital area and our regional research centres are an important part of this drive. This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the Research Centre in Höfn in Hornafjörður and the film's première is a worthy celebration of that milestone. Over the next few years, we intend to map and further develop our partnerships with regional communities.

This week we introduced a system designed to minimise disruption to UI operations in case of COVID-19 infection. The system is based on QR codes, located on all tables in University classrooms, which the person sitting at the table can scan using a smart device. Implementation has gone well and I would like to thank you, dear students, for your participation in this initiative. Learn more about this new solution here.  

A few days ago, it was revealed that UI has been included on an international list of the top 25 universities for international joint publications. UI was also recently ranked by Times Higher Education among the best universities in the world for life sciences, physical sciences, psychology, and clinical, pre-clinical and health, the only university in Iceland to be included in these subject rankings.

This success in recognised rankings demonstrates the strength of the University of Iceland's international position. But, as our strategy says, we aim to improve our performance still further. Dear students and colleagues, I know that our goals are ambitious, but universities must have the courage to evolve and advance. Together we have achieved so much and we will continue to work together in order to successfully follow the course we have set.

We all want to make our University even better and a better University results in a better society for us all.

Have a good weekend.

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector"