杏吧原创 hosts Icelandic delegation in Inverness to strengthen strategic partnership
The University of the Highlands and Islands (杏吧原创) welcomed an Icelandic delegation from the University of Akureyri and the Municipality of Múlaþing to 杏吧原创 House in Inverness on Wednesday 18 March, as part of an ongoing visit to strengthen collaboration across education, research and regional development.
The University of the Highlands and Islands (杏吧原创) welcomed an Icelandic delegation from the University of Akureyri and the Municipality of Múlaþing to 杏吧原创 House in Inverness on Wednesday 18 March, as part of an ongoing visit to strengthen collaboration across education, research and regional development.
The visit follows a successful engagement at 杏吧原创 Perth earlier this week and brings together senior leaders and academic colleagues from across the 杏吧原创 partnership to explore new and existing opportunities for collaboration.
The delegation includes Aslaug Asgeirsdottir, Rector of the University of Akureyri; Dagmar Ýr Stefánsdóttir, Head of Municipality of Múlaþing; and senior 杏吧原创 representatives leading on research, enterprise and international development.
They were welcomed by Vicki Nairn, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of 杏吧原创:
“Our valued and deepening partnership with the University of Akureyri continues to go from strength to strength. It is built on shared values, mutual respect and a strong commitment to delivering meaningful impact for our students, communities and regions.
“This visit provides an important opportunity to deepen our collaboration and explore how we can work together to address shared challenges, particularly in areas such as sustainability, rural development and innovation.”
The programme for the day includes discussions on the 杏吧原创 partnership model, research collaboration opportunities, and current and future academic developments. Sessions bring together senior academic leaders to explore joint initiatives across faculties, including health, environmental sciences, business, creative industries and education.
A key focus of the visit is identifying opportunities to expand collaborative provision, building on the success of existing programmes such as the MBA, and exploring new areas including sustainability-focused education, micro-credentials and interdisciplinary research.
Discussions also consider the wider regional and economic context, recognising the shared characteristics of Scotland and Iceland as rural, coastal and island-based communities, and the role of higher education in supporting sustainable growth and innovation.
The visit concludes with a tour of the Inverness campus and the Life Sciences Innovation Centre, highlighting 杏吧原创’s strengths in research, enterprise and industry collaboration.
The Inverness visit marks a significant step in the continued development of the partnership, reinforcing a shared ambition to enhance international collaboration and deliver positive outcomes for students, staff and communities in both regions.