Rector joins the Board of the Aurora Network

Jón Atli Benediktsson, rector of the University of Iceland, was recently elected to the board of the Aurora Universities Network of nine European Universities. The University of Iceland is a founding member of the network, and Jón Atlis placement on the board will strengthen the university and create new opportunities.

The Aurora network was established in October 2016 by European universities united by their vision and policy, and emphasis on social relevance and responsibility. The Universities are Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Université Grenoble-Alpes (France), University of Aberdeen (Scotland), University of Antwerp (Belgium), University of Bergen (Norway), University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany), University of East Anglia (United Kingdom), University of Gothenburg (Sweden) and the University of Iceland. The network places key emphasis on four factors: diversity and access for all, impact and societal meaning of research, innovation in teaching and studies, and students’ affairs.

Aurora has a board of three rectors/presidents. The first board was composed of Jaap Winter, president of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, who was president of the board, David Richardson, rector of the University of East Anglia, and Lisa Dumasy, rector of the Université Grenoble-Alpes. 

Jaap Winter resigned as president of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam last year and thus also from the Aurora board. David Richardson, UEA rector was elected in his place. Furhtermore, Patrick Levy, a new rector of Université Grenoble-Alpes replaced Lisa Dumsay in January. There was an election for the third seat on the board, for which Jón Atli Benediktsson stood, and was elected with a substantial majority.  

The University of Iceland sees great potential within the Aurora Universities Network, even more so now with the rector's seat on the board; for the benefit of both University students and staff.