Professors announce candidacies for rector position at University of Iceland

Professors from the University of Iceland’s Political Science and Pharmaceutical Sciences departments have expressed their interest in the position of rector. The application for the post will be advertised by the end of this year, with elections expected to occur next spring.

Magnús Karl Magnússon, a professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences, has formally announced his candidacy. In a statement on his Substack page, he emphasized that one of the fundamental roles of the rector in the next five years will be to secure and enhance the leadership role of the University of Iceland, ensuring its full potential benefits for Icelandic society.

Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir, a professor in International Relations, has also indicated her interest in the position. She stated that she plans to clarify her candidacy more thoroughly when the job posting is made public.

Current rector Jón Atli Benediktsson has confirmed that he will not seek re-election.

According to the regulations of the University of Iceland, the university council will announce the vacancy for the rector position by mid-December in the year the current rector’s term ends. The posting will be made in the coming weeks, with Election Day likely set around March 5.

Voting rights will be granted to appointed and employed staff and students of the university with staff votes counting for 70% and student votes for 30%. Following the elections, the university council will appoint a new rector who will then be confirmed by the Minister of Higher Education, Industry and Innovation, serving a term of five years.