Eyjólfur Eyfells has been hired as Philanthropy Manager in Finance, Development, and Engagement area of the University of the Arctic, or UArctic.
UArctic is a cooperative network of universities, colleges, research institutes and other organizations concerned with education and research in and about the North. The UArctic aim is to strengthen studies and research at a University level in the Circumpolar North. The main emphasis is on exchange studies support, strengthening collaboration in education and research, and creating networks in numerous areas of culture and nature. This type of collaboration has deepened understanding of the Arctic which has had positive impact on the environment, improved the standard of living for indigenous peoples and other northerners. It has, furthermore, promoted viable communities and sustainable economies. All universities in Iceland are members in UArctic.
This is the first time an Icelander is hired directly to UArctic. Eyjólfur's appointment is thus a part of the action to further strengthen collaboration and increase support to education, research and other operations by UArctic. Eyjólfur will be stationed at the Centre for Arctic studies, under the auspices of the Institute of International Affairs at the University of Iceland.
"Funding student exchanges and research projects is now becoming more important in UArctic, and I am happy to see that the current project will largely be implemented at the University of Iceland. The board of UArctic is very pleased to have Eyjoólfur join the small, but highly proficient, staff of UArctic. Besides opening up opportunities for students within UArctic and strengthening scientific activity in the North, Eyjólfur and his colleagues will doubtless increase the knowledge in Iceland on finding funding outside the traditional research funds and opportunities to be found in that area," says Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson, professor at the Faculty of Earth Sciences at the University of Iceland, and board member of UArctic.
Eyjólfur has an MA degree in international affairs and an MPM i project management from the University of Iceland. For the past four years, Eyjólfur worked as a Project Manager for Mountaineers of Iceland and has considerable experience in international collaboration. He is married to Masumi Eyfells and they have two children.
