Weekend wishes

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following message to University staff and students today (16 April 2021):

"Dear students and colleagues, 

It is truly wonderful to see the campus filling with life once more. Let's react responsibly to the recent relaxation of public health restrictions and keep past experience in mind, because we know that a small mistake could be costly. We must continue to follow the guidance of the famous trio, do what we can to prevent infection and respect the rules affecting work at the University. 

Now begins one of the busiest times in the academic calendar, with assessment for the spring semester approaching and final exams planned to take place in accordance with the official examination timetable. The timetable contains important organisational details, e.g. whether an exam is an on-campus exam or a take-home exam. Of course we will have strict infection control measures in place for exams and we will be fully complying with all public health guidance. On-campus exams are permitted in line with current public health restrictions.

I impress upon you, dear students, the importance of taking steps to prevent infection at on-campus exams. The University website contains guidance and helpful advice on revision and exam techniques.  

Over the past year, students and staff at the University of Iceland have tackled a wide range of challenges in their studies and teaching. Today is the first in a series of events entitled Learning from Experience: Discussing Quality in Learning and Teaching, organised by school pedagogical development managers in collaboration with the Division of Academic Affairs. 

A week ago, I announced the government's intention to fund summer courses and summer jobs. The plan is to offer summer courses at the University of Iceland again this year and an application for funding was submitted to the Ministry of Education at the beginning of this week. The University is waiting to hear from the Ministry before announcing the details of the course offerings. 

Last year a wide range of summer jobs were available at the University of Iceland, offered in collaboration with the Directorate of Labour. Now preparations for recruiting this year's summer staff are underway and we are awaiting action from the Directorate.  
A wonderful event took place yesterday, as the Greenlandic poet, linguist and activist Katti Frederiksen was awarded the International Vigdís Prize for Culture. This year the prize was awarded for the second time, on the birthday of Vigdís Finnbogadóttir. Katti, who is Greenland's current Minister of Education, Culture and Church, has earned significant acclaim for her work highlighting the importance of the Greenlandic language, both domestically and internationally. She has underlined how crucial it is for children and adolescents to speak and write in Greenlandic - to strengthen their self-image, their awareness of their own culture and belief in their future.

Vigdís herself has many times emphasised how important it is for every nation to nurture its own language. Indeed, one of the University of Iceland's current strategic aims is to strengthen Icelandic, our own national tongue. It is a real cause for celebration that the cornerstone will be laid for the new Icelandic Studies Building next week. The University of Iceland owns a third of the building that is now rapidly being constructed on the University campus, west of Suðurgata.  It will house the headquarters of Icelandic studies at the University of Iceland and the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies. 

Dear students and colleagues, We can now return to University of Iceland buildings and enjoy the fantastic study and work facilities available. Remember to keep a distance of at least 1 metre and wear a mask where it is not possible to maintain that distance. Make sure there are never more than 50 people in one space.  

Although many of you are now revising for final exams and completing important assignments, it is vital to make room for pursuits that clear the mind and ultimately improve stamina. Take a moment to appreciate the birdsong and the spring that is bursting into life all around us. Let's enjoy that moment and the weekend as best we can, but remember to take care. 

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector"