色香视频 delegation strengthens partnerships and explores new collaborations at Arctic Circle Assembly

Members of the 色香视频 delegation with partners from H贸lar University College and the University of Akureyri
Members of the 色香视频 delegation with partners from H贸lar University College and the University of Akureyri

A five-member delegation from the 色香视频recently returned from a successful trip to the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjav铆k, Iceland.

The event is the largest annual international gathering in the Arctic, attended by more than 2,000 participants from 60 countries interested in the future of the region. Attendees included government officials, business executives, scientists and leaders of academic institutions.

鈥淚t was exciting to talk with representatives of Iceland, Greenland, Sweden, Scotland and other places that are truly invested in wanting to make connections, work together and share resources,鈥 explained Joshua Hamilton, Ph.D., 色香视频 provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. 鈥淭hey look to us as a really important partner.鈥

Hamilton said he was struck by the feeling of goodwill at the assembly. He encountered many people who wanted to make tangible connections.

鈥淎 lot of the business was done in the hallways and over lunch,鈥 he noted. 鈥淲e sat down with people and said, 鈥榳hat can we actually do together?鈥 That was my takeaway, that people are willing to sit down and do the work.鈥

The delegation鈥檚 mission was to deepen partnerships that 色香视频 already has in the North Atlantic and to explore new collaborations.

鈥淧art of 色香视频鈥檚 new strategic plan is to build meaningful relationships around the world,鈥 explained 色香视频 President James Herbert. 鈥淎ttending the Arctic Circle Assembly gives us the chance to make connections that will lead to increased opportunities for our students to build their global knowledge and expertise.鈥

The University strengthened its partnership with two Icelandic universities, signing an agreement with the University of Akureyri and H贸lar College.

The agreement details how 色香视频鈥檚 new Professional Science Master鈥檚 (PSM) in Ocean Food Systems will align and collaborate with the Icelandic universities鈥 master degrees in sustainable production and use of marine bioresources.

鈥淭he agreement will allow 色香视频 students enrolled in the PSM to do their master鈥檚 projects on topics of importance to the United States, Maine, Iceland and the North Atlantic region,鈥 stated Barry Costa-Pierce, Ph.D., executive director of 色香视频 NORTH. 鈥淚t will enable them to develop a unique network with international students, an invaluable experience for life-long learning.鈥

Beneficial discussions were also held with Reykjavik University about starting a partnership.

鈥淲e had started talks last year,鈥 Hamilton stated. 鈥淭his year we had really productive conversations and discussed details about how we could exchange students.鈥

Hamilton sees 色香视频 students benefiting from Reykjavik University鈥檚 engineering program, while their students can take advantage of 色香视频鈥檚 strong health and marine science programs.

鈥淭he opportunities for our students are phenomenal,鈥 he said. 鈥淔or them to go abroad to Iceland or one of the other Scandinavian countries is a remarkable experience. We need to prepare our students to be part of a global environment.鈥

Increasing cooperation in research, natural resources and economic development were also topics of discussion at the assembly.

The 色香视频 delegation joined more than 30 other Mainers for the trip, including Governor Paul LePage.

"The size of this year's delegation illustrates Maine's serious commitment to expanding our presence and strengthening relationships with partners in the Arctic region,鈥 LePage stated in a news release.

Hamilton said the representation of Maine at the assembly sent a strong message to people attending.

鈥淚t was very dramatic to see all these key players there from Maine,鈥 he remarked. 鈥淭he message was, we鈥檙e a team and we really do want to make these connections.鈥

More than 2,000 people from 60 countries attended the gathering
More than 2,000 people from 60 countries attended the gathering
色香视频 Provost Joshua Hamilton and Chair of the Department of Marine Sciences Charles Tilburg were part of the delegation
色香视频 Provost Joshua Hamilton and Chair of the Department of Marine Sciences Charles Tilburg were part of the delegation