Early partnership success in Iceland

An innovative new partnership with the University of Akureyri (UNAK) in north-eastern Iceland has brought more than twenty new students to study with Perth College UHI, as part of the University of the Highlands and Islands.

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University of Akureyri

An innovative new partnership with the University of Akureyri (UNAK) in north-eastern Iceland has brought more than twenty new students to study with Perth College UHI, as part of the University of the Highlands and Islands.

The Icelandic students will study on the Masters in Business Administration (MBA, Executive) through an initiative being piloted to promote wider access to higher education in Northern territories and to strengthen employability of students in Iceland’s changing economy.

Akureyri is Iceland’s second city and capital of the north. Its University offers a wide range of study both on undergraduate and graduate level. While the initiative has begun with the MBA programme, the aspiration is that the collaboration will subsequently extend tor Masters in other subjects.

Stefán Guðnason, from the Continuing Education at the University of Akureyri said: “We are thrilled with how well this has been received by Icelandic students. We have over 20 excited pioneers in our ranks, looking forward to building up a network within Iceland and of course to the students from Scotland - further strengthening the bond Iceland and Scotland has.

“The opportunity that we have here is to build up expertise in certain areas that has not been available for Icelandic students before, without them moving abroad. Even though students in Iceland have had the opportunity before to enrol on online programmes overseas, they have often felt isolated. We hope that our particular collaborative approach with the University of the Highlands and Islands will ensure a more rewarding experience.”

Prof. Stuart Gibb, Vice Principal for International at the University of the Highlands and Islands added: “I am delighted by the early success of this initiative. It is one that will enable students in Iceland, and beyond, to access wider curriculum that will equip them to adapt, and respond, to shifting economic and employment opportunities in a changing world. It gives us a strong basis foundation from which to explore closer partnership between our organisation, one that extends to other subjects and further areas of academic collaboration and exchange.”

Jill Elder, Sector Development Director Business, Management, Computing and Leisure at Perth College UHI said: “The MBA team led from Perth College UHI are absolutely delighted to start the academic year with the addition of 20 students from the University of Akureyri joining the programme through this valuable partnership. The programme has grown year-on-year and this is an exciting stage in our development.

“Our Icelandic students will engage with our experienced teaching staff based across the University of Highlands and Islands partnership in Perth, Inverness and Moray alongside students from all over the world. This year students will develop their thinking around concepts such as change, innovation and leadership which are all absolutely fundamental to organisations particularly with the current challenges that COVID-19 presents. We wish all of our MBA students all the best with their studies with the University this year.”