Promoting equal opportunities in exchange programmes

The University of Iceland recently received an acknowledgement from Erasmus+ in Iceland for promoting equal opportunities and increasing participation of University students with disability in exchange programmes and vocational training abroad.

The University of Iceland has been active in the Erasmus+ education programme of the European Union since 1992, and has actively promoted the programme to the benefit of all University students and staff. Special emphasis has been placed on introducing the Erasmus+ additional grants, designed to meet costs that arise due to disability or health issues. A total of four students with disability have received such grants for exchange programmes or vocational training abroad that has been evaluated into their studies at the University of Iceland. 
Jón Atli Benediktsson, rector and Friðrika Harðardóttir, director of the International Office, received the acknowledgement at the Erasmus+ conference earlier in October. The award was a piece of art from Ásgarður, a sheltered work place in Mosfellsbær.

Erasmus days are held annually all across Europe to draw attention to all the good work and projects funded by Erasmus+ EU programme for education, training, youth and sport. The Icelandic event this year was dedicated to the groups that have fewer opportunities to draw attention to the Erasmus+ mission to endorse their participation abroad and at home.