Reykjavík University and Festi sign a cooperation agreement

Reykjavík University and Festi, a holding company of leading companies that play an important role in Icelandic society, have signed a cooperation agreement for the project Strákar og stálp í háskóla. Festi joins JBT Marel as a new partner supporting the initiative, which was originally established through collaboration between JBT Marel and the university.

Strákar og stálp í háskóla was held for the first time last year, aimed at teenage boys and non-binary teenagers. It is organised similarly to Stelpur, stálp og tækni, which has been held at RU since 2013 and is aimed at girls and non-binary teenagers.

At Festi, we are proud to support this initiative alongside JBT Marel. Data shows that boys are increasingly falling behind in education and are less likely to pursue further studies. This is a trend we must take seriously and respond to. Through initiatives like this, we hope to spark greater interest, build confidence, and clearly demonstrate the wide range of opportunities that education can open up. For Festi, this is not only a social responsibility but also an investment in the future, in skills, innovation, and strong human capital that will shape Iceland’s economy in the long term.

Says Ásta Sigríður Fjeldsted, CEO of Festi.

The strong support from partner companies ensures that Strákar og stálp í háskóla continues to grow and establish itself. The initiative is designed to encourage boys and non-binary students to pursue further education and increase their participation in studies in the future.

The event will take place in May, when boys and youth in the 9th grade are invited to Reykjavík University to gain insight into the university environment, meet role models, and learn about career opportunities after graduation. The programme includes a variety of workshops at the university, visits to selected companies, and motivational talks from representatives of both academia and industry.