17 Sep 2025
Join us for an engaging conference centered on Student-Centered Quality Assurance in Higher Education, where we will explore the unique characteristics of the Icelandic student body. Icelandic students are notably mature, balancing studies with work, family, and childcare, and many enter higher education through non-traditional routes. Despite challenges such as disabilities and mental health concerns, they demonstrate resilience and well-being.
This event aims to foster shared learning and peer exchange, providing a platform to discuss how institutions can adapt and enhance their support systems to meet diverse student needs. Through keynote sessions, panel discussions, and collaborative workshops, participants will explore ideas and approaches together, with a focus on ensuring inclusive, flexible, and effective learning environments.
We invite university students, academic leadership and support staff to learn from each other and discover how we can collectively create a more supportive and responsive higher education landscape for all students.
Time: 17 September, 9:00-16:00
Location: Iceland University of the Arts, Stakkahlíð 1, 105 Reykjavik
Programme
9:00-9:10 Welcome and introduction to the conference topic, by Crichton Lang, IAQA Board Chair
9:10-9:30 Key characteristics of the Icelandic student profile, by Þorgerður Edda Hall, IAQA Senior Advisor
9:30-10:15 Beyond the classroom: from study to success in Scottish universities by Jill Stevenson, Director of Student Life, Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen
Scottish universities are facing unprecedented challenges in their pursuit of the delivery of an exceptional, world class student experience. Student diversity and needs are more complex than ever before, and the external environment is challenging and uncertain. Yet one common goal endures: the desire to create skilled, employable, resilient and happy graduates who are ready and able to seize opportunities, overcome challenges and play their part in making the world a better place. Discover more about the ways that Scottish universities are responding to the challenge whilst positioning themselves appropriately in the wider education and support ecosystem, and hear about the vital role of integrated, whole institution support models that put students at the centre.
10:15-10:35 Break
10:35-11:20 Enhancement initiatives from the Icelandic sector
I: Using Data and AI to proactively support academic staff and students and facilitate quality assurance for learning and teaching, by María Ásdís Stefánsdóttir Berndsen, Project manager, Bifröst University
II: Student Voice at the Centre: Empowering Student Engagement by Silja Rún Friðriksdóttir, Project Manager of Learning Community, and Vaka Óttarsdóttir, Director of Quality and Human Resources, University of Akureyri
III: Fostering Resilience and Well-Being: Reykjavik University's Approach to Student Mental Health by Gréta Matthíasdóttir, Head of Student Services, Reykjavik University
11:30-12:15 Student presentations and panel discussion with students, hosted by Gaga Gvenetadze, IAQA Board Member
12:15-13:15 Break
13:15-14:15 Workshop I: The responsibility of universities in supporting students in crisis: where does our role start and stop?
Faciliated by: Jill Stevenson, Director of Student Life, Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen
14:15-14:30 Break
14:30-15:30 Workshop II: Supporting postgraduate students and early-career researchers
Facilitated by: Andrea Nolan, REAC Chair and IAQA Board Member
Short presentations by: Anamarija Veic, Post-doctoral researcher in Speech Pathology, University of Iceland; Kristján Kristjánsson, Director of Research Services, Reykjavík University; Freysteinn Sigmundsson, Chair of the Science and Innovation Council and Research Professor in Geophysics, University of Iceland
15:30-15:40 Break
15:40-16:00 Summary reflections by Gaga Gvenetadze, IAQA Board Member
16:00-17:00 Reception and light refreshments