UArctic 10 Years – A History
This year provides an opportunity to look back on the ten years since the launch of the University of the Arctic in 2001. Yet the history of UArctic actually goes back further, to a proposal made to the Senior Arctic Officials of the Arctic Council to look into the establishment of an ‘Arctic university.’ The subsequent work performed by the Circumpolar Universities Association laid the groundwork for the network and activities that exist today.
On June 12, 2001, the University of the Arctic officially came into being. At a Launch event in Rovaniemi, Finland, two hundred people gathered to celebrate the realization of this dream. The organization was established with the principles of interdisciplinarity, circumpolarity and diversity. Its strength based on support not only by institutions of higher education and governments, but also that of northern indigenous peoples. In the first years after the launch, UArctic’s core programmatic activities were established with the Circumpolar Studies undergraduate program and the north2north mobility program. Enrollments in Circumpolar Studies and north2north exchanges now number many hundred, and these first students are already making their mark in northern science and public leadership.
The UArctic International Secretariat was established at the University of Lapland, Finland, in 2001, and soon afterwards UArctic hired President Lars Kullerud to lead the activities and overall development of UArctic. UArctic’s administration was gradually distributed to offices in almost all Arctic countries. The establishment of Thematic Networks in 2005 marked a new direction in UArctic’s programmatic delivery, supporting new research and educational cooperation among smaller groups of members with common interests and expertise. This development was also supported by increased graduate-level programs including PhD networks and field schools.
The University of the Arctic’s importance as an international actor was demonstrated in the role it played in the 2007-2008 International Polar Year, helping to coordinate the education and outreach activities resulting from the IPY’s international scientific research projects. The UArctic Rectors’ Forum first met in 2007, which provided a new opportunity for the leadership of the circumpolar region’s higher education institutions to address areas of common interest. To better serve its members, UArctic developed the GoNorth program to promote student recruitment to northern higher education institutions and the UArctic Catalogue as joint listing of course and program information from all members.
UArctic has accomplished much to date in creating an empowered and sustainable North. It is telling that the organization’s original vision, goals and values remain valid today, while it has grown to meet additional needs and serve more areas of the Circumpolar North. The success of the organization can truly be seen, however, in the large numbers of students who have benefited from educational opportunities that would not have been possible without the University of the Arctic and the collective efforts of its members.
Key 2011 Dates
14th Council of the University of the Arctic Meeting
Lapland University Consortium
June 6-7, 2011 Kemi-Tornio
Pre-meetings, Kemi-Tornio University of Applied Sciences
June 8-9, 2011 Rovaniemi
University of Lapland & Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences
June 10-11, 2011 Inari
Ofelas meeting, Sami Education Institute