University of Iceland

The University of Iceland (Icelandic: Háskóli Íslands) is an Icelandic state university, founded in 1911. During its first year of operation 45 students were enrolled. Today, the University of Iceland serves a nation of approximately 300,000 people and provides instruction for some 8,000 students studying in eleven faculties.

About

In addition to the major faculties there are numerous research institutes attached to the University. With 423 tenured teachers, 1,800 non-tenured teachers, and about 281 researchers and administrators, the University of Iceland is the largest single work-place in Iceland. For its first 29 years the University was housed in the Icelandic Parliament building, Alþingishúsið, in central Reykjavík. In 1933, the University received a special licence from Alþingi to operate a cash-prize lottery called "Happdrætti Háskólans". The University Lottery, which started in 1934, remains a major source of funding for the construction of new university buildings. In 1940, the University moved into the Main Building on the University Campus on Suðurgata, where most of the principal buildings of the University are located today.

Curriculum

The University of Iceland offers studies and research in more than 60 degree programmes in the humanities, science and social sciences, and in professional fields such as theology, law, business, medicine, odontology, nursing, pharmacology and engineering. Some of the resources available at the University are uniquely Icelandic; these include the manuscripts preserved in the Árni Magnússon Institute, Icelandic census records dating from 1703, exceptionally complete genealogical data, and climatological, glaciological, seismic and geothermal records. The principal language of instruction is Icelandic. Textbooks are mainly in English and Icelandic. Most departments offer courses in English and allow foreign students to take their examinations in English.

Administration

Kristín Ingólfsdóttir, Ph.D. is the Rector (president) of the university. She took over from Páll Skúlason and is the first female to win the elections for Rector.

Faculties

In addition to a re-education center, there are faculties of:

Religion
Medicine
Law
Business and economics
Humanities
Pharmacology
Odontology
Engineering
Natural science
Social sciences
Nursing

University Area

The University has the following buildings:

There is also a gymnasium, a student service center and several dormitories and research institute buildings.

Notable faculty members

Halldór Ásgrímsson (lecturer, 1973-1975)
Sigurður Nordal
Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson
Þorsteinn Gylfason
Hannes Hólmsteinn Gissurarson
Þór Whitehead
Reynir Axelsson
Kaoru Umezawa

Notable alumni

Þórarinn Eldjárn (writer)
Kristín Marja Baldursdóttir (writer)
Vigdís Grímsdóttir (writer)
Davíð Oddsson (politician)
Ásgeir Ásgeirsson (politician)
Einar Már Guðmundson (writer)
Hreiðar Már Sigurðsson (businessman)
Einar Pálsson (literature)
Björn Bjarnason (politician)
Sólveig Pétursdóttir (politician)
Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir (politician)
Sigurjón Sighvatsson (film producer)
Kristín Steinsdóttir (writer)

External links

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