“Cutbacks to the university have to stop now—we cannot afford to give up any more investment in the future of the nation,” said Ari Kristinn Jónsson, rector of the University of Reykjavík, in his speech to graduates yesterday. The university graduated 501 students, the highest number in its history.

Ari highlighted the fact that Icelandic universities have performed extremely strongly in education and research, despite receiving about half the state contribution per student than would be received in neighbouring countries, according to an announcement from the university.

He said that university education and innovation are the two largest contributing factors in making capital goods and economic growth.

He also urged the nation’s universities to better unite to protect university education. “A fragmented university community damages the state of university education, thereby also weakening Iceland’s ability to compete in the future. I welcome those steps that have been taken to reinforce co-operation between schools and look forward to taking part in this work next year,” he said.

In total, 77 graduated with a diploma, 288 with a bachelor’s and 142 with a master’s. The graduation kicked off with a celebratory ceremony at the Vodafone Stadium in Hlíðarendi. Of those who graduated, 272 were men and 229 women. The average age of a graduate is 31.2 years.

The most students graduated from the faculty of business: 155 altogether, followed by 153 from the faculty of technology and engineering, 78 from the law faculty, 44 from the faculty of computer science and 71 from the faculty of teaching and public health. Congratulations to all those who graduated from the University of Reykjavík yesterday!

Source and image: mbl.is

Labels: Education