Cornell University and RU aim for sustainability collaboration
Representatives of Reykjavík University and Cornell University have signed a letter of intent (LOI) on co-operation in education and research related to sustainability, with an emphasis on sustainable energy. The LOI is based on Cornell's framework agreement with GRP Iceland on extensive co-operation in the field of sustainability, energy, innovation and climate, which has been in place since 2016, and was renewed on the same occasion.
Ragnhildur Helgadóttir RU President; Michal C. Moore, visiting professor from Cornell, and Hlynur Stefánsson, associate professor at the Faculty of Engineering and director of the Sustainability Institute and Forum (SIF) at Reykjavik University. On display are Joel M. Malina, Cornell University's Director of Communications, and Lynden Archer, President of the Faculty of Engineering, who participated in the ceremony at Zoom).
According to the letter of intent, RU and Cornell aim to create opportunities for teaching, research, and study for teachers, researchers and students alike at both universities, as visiting teachers, visiting professors and exchange students. Furthermore, the goal is to increase collaboration on various research projects related to sustainability, e.g. through the RU Sustainability Institute and Forum (SIF). Dr. Michal C. Moore, visiting professor from Cornell, is teaching at RU this autumn.
President of RU, Dr. Ragnhildur Helgadóttir, says the emphasis on sustainability is central to the University‘s policy, stating RU‘s role as creating and disseminating knowledge to increase competitiveness and quality of life for individuals and society with ethics, sustainability and responsibility as guiding principles.
The Science and technology policy for Iceland also states that in this country, technological innovation strengthens the foundations of a society based on the fundamental values of democracy, equality and sustainability. We have therefore pledged, both as a university and as a community, to work for greater sustainability in the broadest sense of the word, and we are therefore extremely pleased with this positive step towards increased collaboration with Cornell University, which has also set itself a very specific policy for greater sustainability.
(Pictured from left): Ríkharður Ibsen, CEO of GRP ehf, Michal C. Moore, visiting professor from Cornell, Ragnhildur Helgadóttir, rector, Ari K. Jónsson, outgoing rector and Hlynur Stefánsson, associate professor at the Faculty of Engineering and director of RU's research center on sustainable development (SIF). On display are Joel M. Malina, Cornell University's Director of Communications, and Lynden Archer, President of the Faculty of Engineering, who participated in the ceremony at Zoom
Reykjavík University, GRP Iceland, the Icelandic Energy Cluster, together with the Icelandic government have in recent years collaborated with Cornell University on knowledge transfer in energy and sustainability, as well as in research and education. The goal is to increase innovation, the development of green energy solutions, and add value for Icelandic society. A number of Cornell delegations have visited the country and worked on projects and identified opportunities in green technology, in the energy and fisheries sectors, for instance. On the basis of this and in collaboration with an international research fund, Cornell has begun assessing Iceland's sustainability in these sectors. The energy systems of Cornell University in Ithaca in New York are to be heated with geothermal energy heating the campus instead of gas, based partly on the Icelandic model. According to the agreement a sustainability center in Iceland in collaboration with Cornell and related parties will be established.
For more information see the project‘s new website.
