Knowledge never loses its value

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following message to University staff and students today (8 April 2022):

"Dear students and colleagues,

The University's strategy, UI26, emphasises the importance of completing the process of moving the School of Education on to the main campus and constructing a new building for the School of Health Sciences. Both of these projects are now well underway. The University of Iceland has already started planning conversion of Saga by Hagatorg with the intention of using the building to house the School of Education, student accommodation and many other services. This week we also signed a contract for the comprehensive design of a new building for the School of Health Sciences. According to plans, the building will be constructed over the next three years on a site near the new hospital. The new building is intended to unite almost all School of Health Sciences operations under one roof; the School is currently scattered across the Reykjavík area, from Hofsvallagata to Vínlandsleið. The new health sciences building will be connected to Læknagarður, which will also be renovated.

An investment in education and knowledge creation is an investment in the future, so the signing of this contract a few days ago was an important milestone not only for the University of Iceland and Landspítali University Hospital, but indeed for the entire nation. Landspítali University Hospital is already the University of Iceland's largest and most important partner and our collaboration in teaching, research, innovation and public engagement will undoubtedly expand still further over the next years thanks to this vital project.

A special task force at UI is now working to solve challenges relating to helping people who have been forced to flee the devastating war in Ukraine. A particular priority for us is to ensure a supportive and understanding environment for our students and staff from Ukraine and Russia. UI has also established an information portal about the action we are taking to help refugees.

As previously reported, a group of refugees from Ukraine have already moved into Saga, living in rooms that were recently renovated by the previous owners. We are also looking into whether UI facilities in Laugarvatn would be suitable for refugees if the need arises. Urgent administrative arrangements have been made in order to make life easier for the people living in Saga, in collaboration with the Directorate of Immigration and other public institutions. Social considerations are no less important, so we are looking into setting up a common room in Saga as well as other essential services for people, not least the children. All this is still in the very early stages, but we aim to support the refugees as much as possible following the tragedy they have experienced in their home country.

Last weekend the University of Iceland opened its doors to welcome a huge number of guests who had come to learn more about the diverse range of programmes we offer. It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm for higher education and research among this year's upper secondary school leavers. It is absolutely vital for our nation that we provide a good education for the next generation. Now more than ever, it is clear that knowledge is the currency that never loses its value.

Dear students and colleagues, With every passing day, spring draws closer and the daylight hours grow longer, the sun's rays thawing the ice, though the weather is still colder than we might like. But though April may be the cruellest month, as T.S. Eliot wrote, Easter is just around the corner, to be shortly followed by the first day of summer. And when the summer finally arrives after the long, snowy winter, then we will be like the girl in Þuríður Guðmundsdóttir's spring poem – the world will be ours.

Happy Easter.

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector"