University of Iceland joins a dynamic network of European Universities
Today the University of Iceland joined a cooperative network with eight highly prestigious European Universities. These Universities share a commitment to high quality research, social responsibility and enabling societies to better tackle current global challenges. The network has been named Aurora and was formally launched in Amsterdam today (21 October).
“The new cooperative network ensures close cooperation with very dynamic universities in Europe. This cooperation is crucial to the University of Iceland because it provides increased opportunities for students and staff at the university,” said Jón Atli Benediktssonm, rector of the University of Iceland at the launch of the network in the Netherlands earlier today. “These opportunities include more cooperation in teaching and research and increased possibilities in student and staff exchange, both for academic and administrative staff.”
Aurora universities are world leaders in academic research according to Times Higher World University Rankings and their research impact is high.
The nine founding institutions are: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Netherlands), Université Grenoble-Alpes (France), University of Aberdeen (Scotland), University of Antwerp (Belgium), University of Bergen (Norway), University of Duisberg-Essen (Germany), University of East Anglia (England), University of Gothenburg (Sweden) and the University of Iceland.
When asked why the University of Iceland was invited to join the network Jón Atli says that the University of Iceland is a very attractive international partner. “The reputation of the University of Iceland and its results in recent years are most important in this regards. The network only includes universities that are placed high on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. They are all comprehensive and socially responsible. The University of Iceland qualifies in all these categories.”
Jón Atli says that the universities in the network will focus on important common themes that are significant to their communities. “The universities will cooperate closely and share information that will improve quality work in the universities. Thus the University of Iceland will get benchmark universities of the highest calibre” says the Rector of the University of Iceland.
“What unites us as founding members of the Aurora network is the conviction that there is no trade-off in research excellence” said Jaap Winter, Rector of VU and the President of Aurora at the launch of the network today. “Aurora universities share their determination to build a different kind of inclusive university community that fits a more networked generation that strives to help solve global challenges.”
The Rector of VU also said that what unites the partners in the new network is open and inclusive access to higher education for all students and an open academic community. “Our goal is to positively impact the community through our research, teaching and third mission activities. We seek to weave all these important aspects into the foundations of the universities’ operations. Through the network we encourage more cooperation between people who learn from each other – the cooperation strengthens us to reach higher goals.”
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of East Anglia, Professor David Richardson, said: “Aurora exists not to lobby for self-interest but to bring together like-minded universities with a demonstrable track record of research excellence, a shared commitment to strengthening each other, and focusing activity on finding solutions to some of the problems our world needs to solve. Today is the formal launch of Aurora but already our researchers and our students have gathered from across Europe to start work on shared challenges and opportunities.”
Earlier this autumn work started within the universities to develop opportunities for cooperation in research in fields such as sustainability, climate change, energy and digitisation. Students have also shared their experiences emphasising innovation in education and teaching and health. Students have also sought ways to utilise studies across the institutions.
“This network can be vital for students in the long run,” says Kristófer Már Maronsson, Chairman of the University of Iceland Student Council. “It is important that we take on board best practices from the other universities in the network and put it in action at the University of Iceland. This includes recording all lectures and open access for all students to all courses through our intranet, the Owl.”
"The Aurora student workshops offer a fantastic opportunity for current students,” says Amy Rust student at the University of East Anglia. “We hope to create exciting learning experiences for our students which wouldn't have been possible without this network."
