Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following message to University staff and students today (23 April 2021):
"Happy summer, dear students and colleagues,
The University of Iceland has strong obligations to Icelandic culture and the Icelandic language and endeavours to cultivate and preserve our national heritage. 21 April marked the 50th anniversary of the return of Flateyjarbók and Codex Regius from Denmark, the first of several more manuscripts that were subsequently returned to the Icelandic nation.
It was therefore symbolic that these two manuscripts, in digital format, were part of the cornerstone of the new Icelandic Studies Building, which was laid on the last day of winter. The building, which is located on the west side of Suðurgata, will be the centre of Icelandic studies at the University of Iceland, as well as housing our manuscripts and the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies. When the first manuscripts were returned to Iceland 50 years ago, they were received by the Minister of Culture at the time, Gylfi Þ. Gíslason, who passed them on to the Rector of the University of Iceland, Magnús Már Lárusson, to be preserved by the University. It is a mark of the close links between our University and Icelandic society that Gylfi served as a professor at the University of Iceland for many years, as well as leading several government ministries.
The University of Iceland not only prepares you, dear students, to participate and work in all areas of society, but also promotes innovation that advances the prosperity of the entire nation. We recently received the wonderful news that for the third consecutive year, the University of Iceland has been ranked among the world's top performing universities for social and economic impact, based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This is a valuable testament to our success, since our priorities on the international stage also strengthen our impact in a broader context. We are the leading institution in the Aurora Alliance, a group of of prestigious European universities united by a shared commitment to social impact, climate action and sustainability. We will continue to play a positive role in these areas, for the benefit of the entire Icelandic nation.
We are now in the most stressful period of the academic calendar, with the spring exams starting next week in accordance with the examination timetable. The timetable contains information about on-campus exams and distance exams alike. I urge you, dear students, to read over the timetable carefully and also to take a look at these helpful tips for revision and exam skills. Exams will be held in accordance with guidance from the health authorities and I urge you all to take care to prevent infection. Those of you who are in an at-risk group for COVID-19 can email urraedi@hi.is to explain your situation and we will make every effort to accommodate you as far as possible.
There have been a high number of applications to graduate programmes at the University, more than in 2018 and 2019, although not as many as 2020 when we saw a 50% increase which was an all-time record. This high demand is explained not least by the economic downturn that has followed the coronavirus pandemic. As vaccination rates increase, it is surely not long before we gain the upper hand over this pandemic which has had such an enormous impact on all our lives and work over the past 14 months.
This week has been a notable one in many ways. We said farewell to a winter that has tested our resilience and solidarity and we welcomed the summer, which brings better times and flowers in the meadow, as the Nobel Prize winner Halldór Laxness wrote. Halldór Laxness was in fact born on this very day, on Laugavegur in Reykjavík in 1902. It is also World Book Day today, which is fitting at a time when University students are doing little else besides reading books. We who work and study at the University of Iceland know that there is profit to be had in book learning, since knowledge is the true currency of the future. May this spur you on in your exam revision, dear students. Remember, though, to look up from your books every now and then, clear your mind and enjoy the awakening of spring – you will really feel the benefit.
Have a good weekend.
Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector"