Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following message to University staff and students today (18 March 2022):
"Dear students and colleagues,
The Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, causing devastating loss of human life as well as inexpressible suffering and destruction. Millions of civilians have fled, including large numbers of students and staff from Ukrainian universities. The University of Iceland has today issued a statement expressing solidarity with our counterparts in Ukraine, as well as everyone living in the country. Iceland is party to parallel statements from the Bologna Process member states. Condemnation of the invasion has also come from the European University Association and the Aurora Universities Network. One of our Aurora partner universities is the Karazin Kharkiv National University in the north east of Ukraine, one of the hardest hit regions of the country. Furthermore, the Icelandic Rectors' Conference issued a statement of solidarity last week.
The University of Iceland launched a special web portal today to provide practical information about psychological services for students and staff from Ukraine and Russia, opportunities for Ukrainian student refugees to complete their studies here, and other action that UI is taking. We are also looking into how we can provide accommodation and other services to Ukrainian and Russian students who have fled their countries. Information will be updated as the situation develops. This is the most serious military conflict on European soil since the end of the Second World War and it is our moral duty to respond swiftly, to adapt and seek solutions in order to help fellow humans in need.
The University of Iceland has also put all collaboration with universities and research institutes in Russia on hold and will not sign any new agreements with these parties for as long as the conflict continues. We must not forget, though, that many academics and students in Russia have shown great courage by speaking out against the invasion and are in that sense also victims of the war. We will certainly not rule out collaboration with these people, but each case will be determined on an individual basis.
Dear students and colleagues, The University of Iceland is fortunate to have an influential group of benefactors in Iceland and abroad. Since UI was founded, many people have expressed their appreciation of the University through generous donations and by founding scholarship funds to support our work. One of the oldest and indeed by far the largest scholarship fund is the University of Iceland Eimskip Fund. It has provided invaluable support for doctoral studies at the University of Iceland since 2005, as well as contributing significantly to the construction of the University Centre. It is safe to say that the Eimskip Fund has transformed the work of the University of Iceland. For a long time, the tax framework around scholarship funds in Iceland has been unfavourable, so that only a proportion of the money is used to benefit the University. We are therefore delighted that late last year the government introduced amendments that enable the Eimskip Fund to award PhD students 50% more funding than has previously been available.
The University of Iceland places significant emphasis on publicising the diverse range of programmes and services we offer. This enables prospective students to make informed decisions about their future in higher education. A short while ago, we held a highly successful Digital University Day in collaboration with all other universities in the country. But we aim to top that. Icelandic universities will be presenting all undergraduate programmes at three different locations over the next few days. Prospective students are invited to attend events at the University of Akureyri on Saturday 19 March, at Menntaskólinn á Egilsstöðum on Monday 21 March, and at Menntaskólinn á Ísafirði on Thursday 24 March. The University of Iceland will also be hosting an Open Day at the University Centre on Saturday 2 April from 12 pm to 3 pm, where prospective students can find out more about all available programmes and services. We hope to see as many there as possible!
Dear students and colleagues, Although this week we have been plagued by winter storms, we can rest assured that the long and snowy winter will soon be over. Monday is the spring equinox, when the sun sits vertically above the equator meaning equal hours of day and night across the globe. The equinox marks the point at which light triumphs over darkness, heralding spring just around the corner.
Have a good weekend.
Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector"