U Renews Partnership with University of Iceland

SPH Dean John Finnegan was part of a University of Minnesota delegation led by President Robert Bruininks to the University of Iceland this past spring.

The visit marked the 25th anniversary of a cooperative agreement between the two universities. In renewing the agreement, there was emphasis placed on increased collaboration in the health sciences, particularly public health and nursing.

The U of M delegation included Senior Vice President for Health Sciences Frank Cerra and School of Nursing Dean Connie Delaney.

A highlight of the visit came when the University awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree to Iceland Prime Minister Geir Haarde, a Minnesota alumnus who took a master's degree in economics in the late 1970s.

With a population of about 300,000 on an island the size of Ohio, Iceland has a robust economy, culture, and influence on the world that reaches far beyond a small place. The University of Iceland sees its own future as importantly linked to health sciences research and education. It has made important investments in health informatics, for example, and seeks to develop public health research and training.

To accomplish its goals, the University of Iceland regards collaborative relationships such as its agreement with Minnesota as key. This agreement will provide SPH faculty and students with additional opportunities in research and education in a global setting. One of the first collaborative efforts will be for the SPH to assist the University of Iceland in establishing a center for public health.

A return visit in early September by SPH faculty will help move that effort forward.