Agreement establishing the University of Iceland University Consortium signed at Hólar

An agreement establishing the University of Iceland University Consortium was signed on 29 June at Hólar in Hjaltadalur, marking the beginning of a new chapter in higher education in Iceland. As of 1 July, the University of Iceland will operate as a university consortium, with Hólar University joining as an affiliated university under the name University of Iceland at Hólar. The agreement was signed by Logi Einarsson, Minister of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education, Silja Bára R. Ómarsdóttir, Rector of the University of Iceland, and Hólmfríður Sveinsdóttir, Rector of Hólar University.

The establishment of the university consortium is based on new legislation for public universities passed by Althingi, the Icelandic parliament, earlier this month and marks a turning point in the development of higher education in Iceland. The consortium aims to boost the competitiveness of the two universities, improve the quality of education, research, and support services, and reinforce ties with industry and communities across Iceland. Moreover, the consortium is intended to broaden the range of academic programmes on offer, develop and integrate study programmes in response to changing needs, and strengthen research collaboration.

“What makes this milestone so significant is that we are building on the strengths of two strong universities while creating new opportunities for interdisciplinarity, research and innovation,” says Silja Bára R. Ómarsdóttir, Rector of the University of Iceland, in her address at Hólar today.

An important milestone has been reached

Under the agreement, the University of Iceland will become a university consortium. Hólar University will remain an autonomous member university within the consortium and will operate under the name of University of Iceland at Hólar. The consortium will operate under shared governance. The consortium will be led by the University of Iceland University Council and the Rector of UI will serve as chair.

Furthermore, the University of Iceland at Hólar will retain a distinct status within the consortium, with its own Dean, governing board, and consortium council. Hólmfríður Sveinsdóttir, the current Rector of Hólar University, will serve as Dean of the University of Iceland at Hólar until 30 June 2031.

“By signing the agreement today, we have reached an important milestone,” said Hólmfríður in her address. “Hólar University isn’t going anywhere; the University of Iceland is coming to Skagafjörður, bringing us, who live here, countless opportunities to strengthen our wonderful community. In my view, the university consortium is one of the most important regional development initiatives currently underway.”

Members of the consortium council are the Rector of the University of Iceland, the Dean of the University of Iceland at Hólar and representatives from both universities. The Consortium Council will address matters related to educational, teaching, and research collaboration and will serve in an advisory capacity to the Rector and the University Council on issues related to the University of Iceland at Hólar.

A major step forward for both universities, higher education and Iceland as a whole

The agreement not only provides for changes to the governance of the University of Iceland at Hólar but also sets out a framework for the continued development of higher education in Skagafjörður. It emphasises the strengthening of infrastructure, advancing research, and further reinforcing the strong academic foundations already established in aquaculture and fish biology, tourism studies, and equine studies.

The agreement also stipulates that new aquaculture facilities are to be built and ready for use by the end of 2027. It further provides for the continued development of facilities for equine studies, which, under the agreement, are essential to the programme's continued growth and advancement.

The agreement further states that the Ministry of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education will work closely with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs in the coming months to secure the final funding arrangements for the University of Iceland at Hólar’s facilities, subject to Alþingi approving the necessary appropriations. The agreement also emphasises recruitment. For example, for management and support service positions within the consortium, efforts will be made to increase the number of jobs based in Skagafjörður.

„This is a significant step forward for the two universities, higher education and the entire country,” said Logi Einarsson, Minister of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education. “By building on the history and unique strengths of both universities, and by bringing them together to form a consortium, we will strengthen both and unlock new potential. Now we will continue to develop and enhance infrastructure, human resources and the University of Iceland at Hólar’s facilities in collaboration with all stakeholders. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.”

More opportunities for students and the wider community

As of July 1, students at the University of Iceland at Hólar will become students of the university consortium; however, graduation ceremonies will continue to be held at Hólar as before.

With the establishment of the university consortium, a new and powerful platform for collaboration, knowledge creation and the advancement of higher education in Iceland has been created. The joint strength of the University of Iceland and the University of Iceland at Hólar will create new opportunities for education, research and innovation while further reinforcing higher education across Iceland.

“The creation of knowledge should not be tied to one place only. Strong universities must have a presence in different parts of the country, and have close ties to local communities, industry, culture, natural resources and the environment,” said Silja Bára R. Ómarsdóttir, Rector of the University of Iceland, when the agreement was formally signed. “The University of Iceland has come home to Hólar.”