The University of Iceland has been accepted into the University Social Responsibility Network (USRN). This opens up a variety of opportunities for students and staff who wish to make their mark in this field.
The network was established in 2015 with the goal of providing a venue for universities to cooperate and share ideas on how to address various current challenges such as equality, peace, sustainability, the environment, health, and universal prosperity. The network is made up of sixteen universities from around the world. The universities share a vision of wanting to improve society and contribute to solutions to global challenges through their teaching, research, public service, and education for the public.
Furthermore, the network aims to encourage a dialogue on the social responsibility of universities in general. USRN hosts conferences and is involved in a variety of publications and dissemination of material; it also organises courses and student exchanges aimed at increasing social responsibility.
The network members are from all continents, among them Tufts University in the USA; the University of New South Wales in Australia; Kyoto University in Japan; Beijing Normal University in China; Manchester University in the UK; Simon Fraser University in Canada, and the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
By joining the network, the University of Iceland creates a new forum for staff and students to seek solutions to various current challenges and learn how other universities and cultures deal with these challenges with social responsibility as their main focus.
The University of Iceland‘s new strategy, UI26, emphasizes collaboration and dialogue with society, industry and universities all around the world, as well assustainability and diversity. The UN Sustainable Development Goals also serve as a guide for the University. Joining USRN thus clearly aligns with the fundamental elements that will define the University‘s operations in coming years.
The University of Iceland has over the last three years been featured on the Times Higher Education list of universities with the greatest social and economic impact in the context of the UN SDG (University Impact Rankings). One of the USRN member universities, the University of Manchester, is at the top of that list.
“Being accepted to USRN is a great opportunity for the University of Iceland. Dynamic international collaboration is critical for the University, and participation in USRN provides our students and staff with a new platform. Participation USRN is also very much in the spirit of the new strategy, UI26, wich emphasises sustainability and social responsibility. We look forward to the USRN collaboration!” says Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland.