Universities improve the lives of everyone

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following message to University staff and students today (17 September 2021):

"Dear students and colleagues,

At the University of Iceland, we place emphasis on ensuring that our work promotes sustainability and positive societal development. Our new comprehensive strategy for the next five years is guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals and, like other important centres of knowledge, the University of Iceland will play a key role in the search for solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time.

With this in mind, it is particularly gratifying to announce our new agreement with Matís committing to strengthening education in food research and food safety. We have a long-standing and extremely fruitful partnership with Matís in teaching, research and innovation. Together we work to make Icelandic food manufacturers and companies more competitive, improve public health and food safety, and guarantee sustainable exploitation of our own resources. It is crucial for Iceland as a nation that we not only continue this work, but redouble our efforts in this area. 

In order to protect the creative and dynamic community we have all built here at UI, we must continue to follow infection prevention measures to the letter. New relaxations of the public health restrictions entered into effect this week, with the limit on gatherings expanded to 500 people. Masks are still required here at UI wherever it is not possible to maintain a distance of 1 metre, but it is permissible to remove your mask as soon as you are seated in the classroom. We recommend that people continue to wear masks in the corridors. 
Safety is extremely important to us at UI and we have designed a system to help us respond if there is an infection at the University. This system enables students and teaching staff to register attendance in classes simply by scanning a QR code, which will be available on all tables inside University classrooms. The aim is to minimise disruption to University operations if a case of COVID-19 is diagnosed. Further information on the system, which will be introduced in more detail next week, can be found here.  

We are now celebrating the 110th anniversary of the founding of the University of Iceland. Progressive higher education has done more to bring prosperity to Iceland than anyone could have predicted when UI was founded by an impoverished nation with an ambitious vision in 1911. We are incredibly proud of our history and the significant positive impact that our University has had on Icelandic society for over a century. Of course, the main impact is thanks to all those who studied at the University of Iceland. We can proudly state that we have graduated more than 50 thousand influencers since 1911. 

To mark the anniversary of UI and our new comprehensive strategy, we have made some changes to the University logo. The focus is still on the familiar and beloved face of Pallas Athena, goddess of learning and wisdom, but the style has been simplified to make it more compatible with digital media. We have also changed the typeface for the same reason and made UI more prominent, since it is the name that people in Iceland generally use for their university – the University that belongs to us all. UI's colour is blue and the use of a single, strong colour aligns with the spirit of our new strategy for an open institution, presenting the University as undivided and without barriers. All University communications materials are currently being updated and the new logo will formally replace the old one on 1 October. I will address the new branding at the Rector's information meeting next week, as well as other recent news about our important work at UI. 

Our new strategy includes a significant focus on job satisfaction and ensuring an optimal work environment at the University. It is important for us all to take a break from our busy schedules every now and then to come together and celebrate. However, the coronavirus pandemic has restricted our options over the past 20 months. Due to the current situation, unfortunately we have to postpone the Annual Festive Ball until next spring, but I would like to encourage you all, dear colleagues, to keep the 5 November free for a staff celebration that we are planning.

Dear students and colleagues, It brings me joy each day to see our campus once more bustling with life. The sight is a huge relief, because despite the role of new digital technology in teaching and sharing knowledge, above all universities are communities dedicated to research and learning. The work that takes place within universities regularly leads to practical discoveries in a wide range of fields, thereby improving the lives of everyone. University research creates new jobs, new companies and even entire new industries. 

Let's throw ourselves eagerly into the pursuit of new knowledge, for it is the strongest currency of the future.

Have a good weekend. 

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector"