Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following advent message to University staff and students today (2 December 2022):
"Dear students and colleagues,
Advent has begun, with all its light and beauty, softening the darkness of winter here in the far north.
Final examinations have also begun at the University of Iceland, the conclusion to a wonderful semester, the first in a long time in which the University was able to operate as normal. It was incredible to see life return to the University campus and the joy of students and staff as they embraced their work and studies.
These days, students are hard at work completing their final projects and revising for exams. I wish them all the very best with these important tasks. I would also like to thank all the UI staff who contributed to preparing and implementing the exams. I wish our teaching staff well, too, as they mark the exam papers and finish a busy semester.
Yesterday, 1 December, was the Day of Icelandic Sovereignty, an eventful day at UI as always. Students marked the occasion by laying a wreath of flowers on the grave of Jón Sigurðsson in the old graveyard at Suðurgata and theology students held a beautiful service in the chapel in the Main Building.
The Ceremony for Doctoral Graduates also took place in the Ceremonial Hall, attended by Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, benefactor of UI and former President of Iceland, and Áslaug Arna Sigurðardóttir, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. We celebrated the achievements of the 86 new doctors who have graduated during the past 12 months and they were presented with a University of Iceland gold pin.
Doctoral studies represent one of many essential foundations for research at UI. The development of doctoral studies strengthens the University's international standing and drives us forward in our vital mission as the leading educational institution in Iceland. We also strive to support sustainability and positive social development, not just here in Iceland but across the world.
The online Alumni Newsletter was sent out to its many subscribers earlier this morning, packed with fascinating content as always. The newsletter truly reflects the incredible achievements that take place here at the University, with the focus this time on projects that have had a significant impact on society. The University of Iceland is our national university and it is important to us that our work, teaching and research promote progress and an improved quality of life for us all. The newsletter includes discussion of research aimed at lowering drop-out rates in upper secondary schools, an important goal since education is one of the highest priorities for our nation. It also covers research on food security, the importance of physical activity and fitness in young people, and cancer research. I urge all of you to take a look at the newsletter.
The series Vísindin og við (Science and us) is now being broadcast by Hringbraut and scientists from the University of Iceland feature prominently. The last episode looked at the research of Ingibjörg Gunnarsdóttir, professor of nutrition, which is about the impact of nutrition on the health of mothers and babies during pregnancy. We saw clearly how dissemination of UI research plays an important role in promoting public health and well-being. All episodes in the series are available online.
These days we are also celebrating various other milestones related to our work at UI. 15 years have now passed from the official opening of the University Centre – a wellspring of new ideas born out of conversations between students and teaching staff from different disciplines. Furthermore, the first Icelandic website is now 30 years old, and that website just happens to be hi.is.
It is testament to the forward thinking approach of the University of Iceland that we immediately established an online presence, a pioneer here as in many other areas of information technology. UI has ambitious plans to harness information technology in order to improve services through automated procedures and to expand the use of technology in teaching, as indeed we have all seen in recent semesters.
Dear students and colleagues,
It is at this time of year that we truly understand the power of the light, shining out ever the brighter in the darkness. Although the sun sinks lower and lower with each passing day, Advent is nonetheless the season of light. We must remember to let that light into our hearts.
Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector"