A proposal to create a new central administrative division at the University of Iceland, the International Division, based on the International Office, was approved at the University Council meeting on 3 December last. The International Division will be one of eight administrative divisions at the University.
In recent years international collaboration in teaching and research has grown significantly at the University of Iceland. The number of international students and staff has grown steadily. Furthermore, the university participates actively in a variety of international networks, for example within the European University Association (EUA) and various collaborative networks, for example the Aurora-Alliance. The last mentioned is the most high-profile of these. The Aurora-Alliance is a European University network intended to enhance the collaboration of Eruopean universities and make them more competitive on a global scale. The participation in Aurora entails closer proximity and cooperation with other administrative divisions in dealing with various issues and laying down strategies. This is thus an important step to strengthening the administration in international affairs by creating a separate division.
The International Division will take over all the functions of the International Office, such as formal communication with international educational institutions; providing students, teachers and faculties with support in all aspects of international collaboration; overseeing study exchange, professional training and summer studies, and international staff exchanges.
The International Division will be one of eight administrative divisions within the University of Iceland, the others being the Division of Academic Affairs, the Division of Finance, the Division of Human Resources, the Division of Information Technology, the Division of Marketing and Public Relations, the Division of Operations and Resources, and the Division of Science and Innovation. The Director of Central Administration leads the administration and reports to Rector. The role of the central administration is to enable schools, faculties and institutions to operate in accordance with the laws and regulations of the University.
Friðrika Harðardóttir will head the International Division, she has been the manager of the International Office since 2013. The International Division is located in the University Centre.