Graduation Ceremony of Reykjavík University at Harpa

Reykjavík University graduated 267 students at a well-attended ceremony held in Eldborg at Harpa on Saturday, 31 January. Of these, 201 students graduated from the School of Technology and 66 from the School of Social Sciences, including three who earned doctoral degrees in engineering.

Dr. Ragnhildur Helgadóttir, President of RU, delivered an address in which she emphasized the state of international affairs and noted that despite uncertainty and rapid technological change, it is important to believe that the future is bright, as this is a key element of living a happy life:

“But if look back, we see that people have always believed they were living in exceptionally difficult times. Forty years ago, children read in the telephone directory about how to behave in the event of a nuclear attack and radiation—yet that never came to pass. Poverty was also greater, the labor market more monotonous, and the level of education lower, both in Iceland and internationally. Today, however, living standards have improved, the economy has become more diverse, rights are better protected, gender equality has increased, and until very recent years, democracy has taken root worldwide—and all of this is the result of the tireless struggle of people who did not necessarily know their own strengths until they were tested. Their contributions mattered and changed and improved our society in countless ways.”

She also highlighted the importance of democracy and how it relates to university communities:

“And we in the Icelandic universities can be proud of maintaining—within a very small society (and language community)—research that supports this society and disseminates knowledge in our own language. At Reykjavík University, we are particularly proud to conduct research at a global level that has an impact in our local environment; to bring knowledge from abroad to Iceland; to teach and promote innovation across all fields; and to do all of this in close cooperation with industry, listening and responding to the perspectives that come from there, while at the same time fulfilling our role of preparing the dialogue for the future.”

Sara Arndís Thorarensen, a graduating student with a BSc in Energy and Mechanical Engineering, delivered an address on behalf of the graduates. Ásthildur Gunnarsdóttir, Director of Communications, served as master of ceremonies, and the musical performances were by Sigríður Thorlacius and Guðmundur Óskar.