Governance

The President represents the University, is in charge of its day-to-day activities and is responsible for its operations to the Board of Directors. The President is responsible for the quality of RU's operations and the execution of internal assessment. The President appoints School Deans, Executive Directors and other University personnel who report directly to the President, but the President consults with the Board as regards their selection and primary tasks.

The Executive Committee of Reykjavik University is composed of the President, who is also the chair, School Deans, Department Chairs, Executive Directors, chairs of the Curriculum Council and Research Council and other key personnel as decided by the President. The Executive Council approves rules of the University and other strategic documents. The Executive Council also discusses the annual operating plan of the University, operating results and internal and external assessment results.

The Dean of a School is appointed by the President in consultation with the Board, following an evaluation committee report. Schools Deans and the President initiate strategic planning for the University and supervise strategy implementation. Schools Deans, in consultation with the President, represent the University internally and externally to parties outside RU. The Schools Deans acts as a substitute for the President.

A Department Chairs are hired by School Deans, following an evaluation committee report.

Department Chairs are responsible for academic management and shall initiate strategic planning for their Department. Department Chairs carry an operational and financial responsibility for their Department towards the School Dean.

The Executive Directors of RU are appointed by the President. Executive Directors are responsible for the organisation and operations of RU's support services and serve in defined roles according to a decision by the President. The President defines the roles and tasks of support services in accordance with the needs of the University at any given time 

Organization Chart of Reykjavik University 2021 

Organisation chart - HR 2021

Board of Directors

Reykjavik University's Board of Directors is made up of five full members and one alternate member, each elected at RU's annual general meeting. The Board of Directors is responsible for planning, administration, finance, determining tuition fees, and general operations. The President of RU attends meetings of the Board of Directors.

Members:

  • Hjörleifur Pálsson, Chairman of the RU Board of Directors, Business Administrator

  • Halldór Benjamín Þorbergsson, Managing Director, SA-Business Iceland

  • Tanya Zharov, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Alvotech

  • Sigurður Hannesson, Managing Director, SI - the Federation of Icelandic Industries

  • Svanhildur Hólm, Managing Director, Icelandic Chamber of Commerce

University Council

The University Council of Reykjavik University operates as a forum for discussions regarding academic policy, teaching and research, and collaboration with industry. The Council has ten members representing industry, academia and government.

The President of RU arranges and attends the meetings of the Council. Deans of RU Schools and the President of the Student Union also attend.

Members:

  • Hjörleifur Pálsson, Chairman of RU University Council, Business Administrator
  • Árni Sigurjónsson, chairman of SI - The Federation of Icelandic Industries and Marel's chief lawyer
  • Ari Fenger, Chairman of the Iceland Chamber of Commerce and CEO 1912
  • Arndís Kristjánsdóttir, Lawyer, representative of Ministry of Education, Science and Culture
  • Brynja Baldursdóttir, CEO of Creditinfo
  • Eyjólfur Árni Rafnsson, Chairman of SA-Business Iceland, President
  • Hjálmar Gíslason, founder and CEO of GRID
  • Katrín Olga Jóhannesdóttir, former chairman of the Iceland Chamber of Commerce
  • Margrét Ormslev Ásgeirsdóttir, Brunnur Ventures
  • Stefanía Guðrún Halldórsdóttir, Eyri Venture Managment

 

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