In October, the Continuing Education Centre of the University of Akureyri hosted an international event for university staff titled "Staff Training Days - Exploring AI in Higher Education."

The staff development week was a great success, bringing together 18 participants from ten countries for a diverse and engaging programme focusing on artificial intelligence, digital teaching methods, and international collaboration.

Exemplary structure

Participants expressed high satisfaction with both the content and organisation of the week, highlighting how well academic topics, open discussions, and cultural experiences in North Iceland were combined.

"I found the group discussions especially valuable and would have loved to have even more of them! Thanks to Stefán for being a great host and for the excellent organisation overall. Magnus' lecture opened up new perspectives and gave me lots of new ideas."

Participants also praised the quality of lectures and discussions, the warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the opportunities for networking. One of the highlights of the week was the Thursday field trip around North Iceland, where nature took centre stage - as many participants were eager to see as much of the country as possible during their visit.

"Participating in the Staff Week at the University of Akureyri was an exceptionally enriching experience. It was impressive to see how the geographical conditions of a sparsely populated country like Iceland encourage innovation in digital teaching and the use of AI. The combination of technical content and cultural context was truly memorable."

Among the speakers were Magnús Smári Smárason, AI project manager at the University of Akureyri, who gave an insightful and inspiring talk on the use of artificial intelligence in higher education, and Dr. Auðbjörg Björnsdóttir, who shared valuable reflections and experiences on innovation, communication, and professional development within the academic community.

Open for registration

Interest among international university staff to visit the University of Akureyri through structured programmes is steadily increasing. This staff development week was part of an effort to bring such visitors together and to offer a well-organized programme alongside their institutional visits. The event was held in close collaboration with the International Office.

The next Erasmus Staff Development Week at the University of Akureyri will take place 14-17 April 2026. Registration is already open, and interest is strong. Only 35 places are available each time, so the upcoming week is expected to be fully booked.