Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following message to University staff and students today (22 October 2021):
„Dear students and colleagues,
Graduating from the University of Iceland is an incredible achievement, marking the end of one chapter in your life and the beginning of another. The University of Iceland has been ranked among the best universities in the world for just over a decade, the only Icelandic university to be consistently included in the most prestigious ranking systems.
This week, UI was placed 50th in the Emerging Economies University Rankings from Times Higher Education. This is yet another acknowledgement of the quality of our University and the impact we have on Icelandic society.
It is also a reminder that a degree from UI meets the highest international standards, granting access to graduate studies at the most prestigious universities in the world and opening doors on the labour market, not only in Iceland but around the world.
Today almost 300 candidates will receive their degree certificates from the University of Iceland, a few of the record number of students to graduate this year, the University's 110th anniversary year. There will be no formal ceremony, but candidates can collect their degree certificates from the foyer of the University Cinema between 9 am and 3 pm today.
This group of almost 300 candidates now join the ranks of the almost 55,000 UI graduates who have shaped all aspects of Icelandic society since 1911. I would like to congratulate them on this remarkable achievement and wish them all the best for the future.
Yesterday, the Association of Graduate Women held a symposium in the UI Aula to explore the situation of boys and young men at all levels of the education system, now that women outnumber men among university students in Iceland. The Association of Graduate Women was established in 1928 with the aim of encouraging and supporting women to pursue education. It is extremely important that we ensure diversity and equality within the University community and the AGW symposium was a very helpful contribution to that discussion.
The University of Iceland is a wellspring of creative thinking and a place for the free pursuit of knowledge that leads to widespread innovation. This is of vital importance for Icelandic industry and for us all. Yesterday a forum took place to honour Sigurjón Arason, professor emeritus in food engineering, who has made significant contributions to innovation and the development of ideas that have had an enormous impact on many companies in the Icelandic fishing industry and on the sector as a whole.
Ideas stemming from Sigurjón's work and collaborations have inspired numerous reforms in the food industry. These reforms have not only increased the value of Icelandic sea food products, even as catch sizes have decreased, but also advanced sustainability in Icelandic industry. The extremely fruitful partnership between the University of Iceland, Matís and industry, under Sigurjón's leadership, illustrates how knowledge creation and research have a broad impact and support economic progress in the spirit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This shows us very clearly that knowledge and ingenuity will be the key to maintaining our future quality of life.
Dear students and colleagues, We received good news from the government this week announcing the relaxation of public health restrictions. Masks are no longer required and the general limit for gatherings is now 2,000 people. The 1 metre physical distancing rule remains in place. Although there now seems to be light at the end of the tunnel, I urge you all to continue to practise infection control measures so that we can preserve the progress that you have all achieved through your resilience and solidarity.
Let's make the most of the weekend as we welcome the first official day of winter this Saturday.
Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector