Season's greetings

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following message to University staff and students today (17 December):

"Dear students and colleagues, 

We are now in the darkest time of the year here in the northern hemisphere, but this is also the time when the lights shine the brightest and the houses are aglow for Advent. One of the most eye-catching lights in the winter darkness is the Imagine Peace Tower on Viðey. This light is a work of art by Yoko Ono, intended not only to honour her husband, the musician John Lennon, but also to shine as a symbol of the campaign for peace on Earth. 

The University of Iceland strives to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which promote ideals such as global peace and justice. Many people assume that, as a tiny nation in the North Atlantic, there is little we can do to help in these matters. Nevertheless, Yoko Ono chose Iceland as the location for the Imagine Peace Tower, to inspire us all to work towards peace. Remember, said Yoko, each one of us has the power to change the world. 

Twenty students from different countries across the world recently graduated with diplomas in international gender equality studies from the Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme at the UI School of Humanities. The GEST programme provides specialists from low income countries and conflict zones with access to education that helps them advance gender equality and social justice in their own countries. Through this programme, the University harnesses specialist knowledge and our commitment to human rights in order to improve the status of women and girls in areas of conflict and instability. 

Final exams are now over for this autumn semester. Although the circumstances were challenging, overall they went very well. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, dear students and teaching staff, for doing your bit to ensure that success.

Yesterday a letter of intent was signed by the University of Iceland and the City of Reykjavík, committing to the allocation of land on the University campus for the Arctic Centre, a building that will be named after Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, former President of Iceland. The planned Arctic Centre building, which will be constructed in the Vatnsmýri area, will be a place for international and domestic dialogue and cooperation on issues affecting the Arctic region and their significance for the future of our planet. The building will also house international and domestic research and innovation to advance Arctic interests, climate solutions and sustainable development.

Dear students and colleagues, The year is almost at an end and it has been a difficult one in many ways. But thanks to your resilience, the University has been able to function fairly normally throughout this autumn and winter. For this, I am more grateful than I can say. Unfortunately, there has been no good news from the Chief Epidemiologist as COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise. It is essential that we maintain our solidarity and continue to follow the public health restrictions in order to protect our work at the University and society as a whole in the new year.

I began this message by talking about light as we approach the darkest point of the year, the winter solstice on 21 December. The Imagine Peace Tower is traditionally lit around New Year’s Eve. When you get a chance, look out at that column of light and think about everything it stands for. 

"Listen to the light that burns quietly in your breast, no matter what storms may come," wrote Njörður P. Njarðvík, professor emeritus at the University of Iceland. 

Let's follow Njörður's advice. Follow the light and go with hope into the new year. 

Have a wonderful festive season. 

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector"