A new UI policy set in widespread collaboration

A large group of people within and outside of the University community is currently working on setting a comprehensive policy for the University of Iceland for 2016-2021. Great emphasis is placed on a democratic process and widespread collaboration in the policy-making, scheduled to be completed in the first half of next year.

Strategic planning at the University of Iceland is one of the most important undertaking within the university this semester and Jón Atli Benedictsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, presented the structure and the timeframe of this project in an information meeting for staff last week. A steering committee has been appointed as well as a steering group to work on the new strategy. The work is led by Sigurður Magnús Garðarsson, Professor at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Steinunn Gestsdóttir, Professor at the Faculty of Psychology, for the rector. Other members of the steering committee are Guðbjörg Andrea Jónsdóttir, Director of the Social Science Research Institute, Magnús Diðrik Baldursson, Managing Director of the Rector's Office and Head of Quality Administration, and Magnús Lyngdal Magnússon, Office Director of the UI Graduate School.

There are numerous representatives party to the steering group, both academic representatives from all of the five university schools and the Centre for Teaching and Learning, postdocs, and students as well as representatives outside the University of Iceland.

The representatives are:

School of Social Sciences:

• Eiríkur Jónsson, Professor

• Tinna Laufey Ásgeirsdóttir, Professor

School of Health Sciences:

• Bryndís Eva Birgisdóttir, Associate Professor

• Tómas Guðbjartsson, Professor

School of Humanities:

• Guðmundur Hálfdánarson, Professor

• Sólveig Anna Bóasdóttir, Professor

School of Education:

• Ásgrímur Angantýsson, Assistant Professor

• Anna Kristín Sigurðardóttir, Associate Professor

School of Engineering and Natural Sciences:

• Anna Dóra Sæþórsdóttir, Associate Professor

• Magnús Örn Úlfarsson, Professor

Chairs of the University Council committee:

• Börkur Hansen, Professor and chair of the Academic affairs committee

• Guðbjörg Linda Rafnsdóttir, Professor and chair of the Science committee

• Herdís Sveinsdóttir, Professor and chair of the Equal rights committee

The Centre for Teaching and Learning:

• Guðrún Geirsdóttir, Associate Professor

Nemendur:

• Aron Ólafsson, chair of the Student Council

• Halla Sif Svansdóttir

Postdoc:

• Heiða María Sigurðardóttir

Representatives outside the University of Iceland:

• Guðrún Hrefna Guðmundsdóttir, Headmaster FB

• Jakob Ó. Sigurðsson, representative in the University Council

• Jón Páll Haraldsson, Assistant Headmaster Laugarlækjarskóli

• Kristján Leósson, CEO of Innovation Center Iceland

• Sigríður Gunnarsdóttir, Chief Nursing Executive at Landspítali University Hospital

• Þorbjörg Helga Vigfúsdóttir, former city council member and founder of the educational organization Trappa.

Furthermore, representatives within the University and the private sector will be consulted. A new draft of the policy will thus be introduced and discussed within the University Council, the University Forum, the UI schools and faculties, among student representatives and in other platforms. Furthermore, all university staff and students have the opportunity to contribute to policy matters. This arrangement is in place to ensure extensive consensus and widespread support for the new policy. Various data, appraisals etc. will provide the foundation for the work.

The new University Policy for 2016-2021 is scheduled to be presented to the University Council and University Forum for approval in the first half of the year 2016 and will consequently be presented thoroughly.