NEWS At the Arctic Six Extended meeting in Tromsø on 28 April, The Arctic Six formally switched leaderships from Luleå University of Technology to UiT – the Arctic University of Norway. For the next two years, UiT will have leadership responsibility for fostering closer collaboration between six Arctic universities in Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
The connections between the northern regions of the three Nordic countries are becoming increasingly close due to societal challenges such as climate change and geopolitical tensions. In the years to come, this could provide an important framework for close university collaboration between the universities in the neighbouring regions.
On 28 April, UiT assumed responsibility for strengthening this type of integration by taking over the leadership of the university alliance The Arctic Six from Luleå University of Technology. The leadership involves coordinating joint programmes in research, education and innovation among six Arctic universities in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Together, these universities comprise 10,000 academic staff and 100,000 students.
The overarching strategic decisions for the alliance's collaboration are made by a steering committee and a council consisting of the rectors of the six member universities (the Rector’s Council), with a Chair, a rotating position lasting two years. The university holding the leadership also appoints a director for the secretariat of The Arctic Six, who is responsible for the organisation's operations.
UiT assumed the leadership of The Arctic Six during the conference Arctic Six Extended: Forum on Arctic Security. The event was held at UiT in Tromsø, bringing together leading researchers and stakeholders from politics, governance, defense, technology, and industry sectors. During the debates, different solutions were highlighted for building better and more secure infrastructure in the Arctic regions of Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
"This forum is a testament to the tremendous development we have seen in the alliance over recent years. I am proud and impressed by how it has evolved," says former Director of The Arctic Six, Dag Avango. He passed the baton to Johanne Raade, Director of the University Library at UiT.
UiT's Rector, Dag Rune Olsen, believes that the university collaboration can bring many positive ripple effects to the northern regions and that UiT can help strengthen the integration process between the three countries.
"The Arctic Six as an alliance is much more than the sum of its parts. We share ideas and insights and face the same challenges. Research-based knowledge is crucial for societal development. We will ensure that we thrive in the next period," states Olsen.