Innovation Competitions

Educational Outreach

Engaging Primary School Students

Each year, Reykjavik University (RU) participates in numerous collaborative projects to educate primary school students about university life and inspire their interest in higher education.

RU has particularly emphasised initiatives that nurture students' entrepreneurial spirit and creativity, as well as projects that foster interest and knowledge in science and technology. Examples include:

• Innovation Competition for Primary School Students, a competition for grades 5–7 focused on creativity and problem-solving.
• Girls and Technology is a program that encourages young women to explore technology-related fields.
• The Carousel is an annual event where upper-grade primary school students participate in short workshops led by university instructors.

Introducing High School Students to University Life

Graduating classes from high schools are invited to visit RU for presentations on undergraduate programs across all departments. These presentations are conducted by students and faculty and include guided tours of the campus. The goal is to provide students with a clear understanding of the programs, university environment, and facilities to help them make informed decisions about higher education.

Tailored presentations are also available upon request, with specific departments visiting high schools. For instance, the School of Law annually visits high schools to present its law programs.

Personalized Guidance for Study Choices

High school students can seek advice from RU’s academic and career counsellors, who assist them in choosing their programs. The counsellors focus on enhancing students' skills and ambitions regarding studies and careers and offer personalized guidance.

Students are also encouraged to attend University Day, held annually at RU’s facilities, providing a unique opportunity to learn about all RU programs.

Competitions and Activities

RU offers various activities for high school students throughout the year to familiarize them with university life and studies. Examples include:

• Programming Competition for High School Students, open to all, with three levels of difficulty: alpha, beta, and delta.
• The Box, a business case competition for high school students.
• The Moot Court Competition, organized by RU’s Law Students’ Association, also provides tax filing assistance during Tax Day events.

For more information, visit the Law Students’ Association website.

Competitions

Innovation Competition for Primary School Students (NKG)

The Innovation Competition for Primary Schools is a creative innovation competition for students in grades 5–7. Held since 1991, the competition integrates creativity and problem-solving, encouraging students to develop projects in their areas of interest. The competition culminates in workshops and a final event where the President of Iceland awards prizes and certificates.

Programming Competition for High School Students
RU’s annual programming competition is open to all high school students, regardless of their programming experience, encouraging everyone to participate. The competition features three difficulty levels: alpha, beta, and delta.

Specialized Support for Students with Disabilities
RU offers tailored services for students with disabilities or special learning needs. Support may include extended exam times, accessible resources, and personalized guidance. Students with permanent conditions apply once at the beginning of their studies, while those with temporary conditions apply for accommodations each semester.

The Lighthouse (Vitinn)
The Lighthouse is an annual competition organized by Reykjavik University (RU) in collaboration with the Icelandic Fisheries Association. The competition has been held since 2015 and is open to all RU students across both undergraduate and graduate programs.

Participants compete in teams of 2–5 members, with a preference for mixed-gender teams. The competition spans three days, culminating on the third day when teams present their ideas to a panel of judges. Following the presentations, a reception for students is held in Sólin, where refreshments are served while awaiting the judges' decisions.

The Lighthouse provides a platform to:

• Solve real-world challenges for companies in the fishing industry.
• Develop and present innovative ideas within three days.
• Present ideas to a panel of judges.
• Gain access to experts from the fishing industry and other business sectors.
• Unleash creativity and innovation.

Why Participate?

Participating in The Lighthouse offers unique opportunities and rewards, including:

• Represent RU at the Boston Seafood Expo
  Winners of The Lighthouse represent Reykjavik University at the Boston Seafood Expo, where they will enjoy a curated agenda.
• Work on Real-World Challenges
  Solve a project for an actual company in the fishing industry.
• Develop and Present Innovative Ideas
  Create and showcase a solution within three days.
• Unleash Your Creativity
  Tap into your imagination and problem-solving skills.
• Boost Your Resume
  Add this exceptional experience to your CV to stand out in your career journey.
• Travel to Boston – All Expenses Paid
  Enjoy a four-day trip to Boston, including flights and hotel accommodations, at no cost.

Promoting Strengths-Based Development

When making decisions about education and careers, it’s essential to consider one’s natural strengths. Research shows that only one-third of people are aware of their strengths—natural abilities that enable effective and successful task completion.

To identify your strengths, ask yourself:

1. What am I good at?
2. What feels natural to me?
3. What activities give me positive energy?

Reflecting on moments when you’ve felt fully engaged, where time flew by, and you were left energized and satisfied, can help pinpoint your strengths. Emphasizing strengths rather than weaknesses counters the common negativity bias, which often leads people to focus on the negative. Instead, pause and evaluate what works well and what doesn’t, focusing on what drives success.

Specialized Support for Students with Disabilities
RU offers tailored services for students with disabilities or special learning needs. Support may include extended exam times, accessible resources, and personalized guidance. Students with permanent conditions apply once at the beginning of their studies, while those with temporary conditions apply for accommodations each semester.

Specialised Support for Students with Disabilities

RU offers tailored services for students with disabilities or special learning needs. Support may include extended exam times, accessible resources, and personalized guidance. Students with permanent conditions apply once at the beginning of their studies, while those with temporary conditions apply for accommodations each semester.