Bifröst University promotes stronger businesses and better society
Bifröst’s modular system, introduced in 2013, distributes the students’ workloads evenly throughout a given period
Country Business Reports interviews and articles by Discovery Reports www.discoveryreports.com
Located in rural Iceland, Bifröst University emphasises personal development, social participation and a strong sense of community.
Tracing its roots in 1918 as a cooperative college, the university offers bachelor’s and master’s programmes in business, law and social sciences. Its teaching policies are based on its basic values of initiative, cooperation and responsibility.
“We aim to produce graduates who can strengthen the business entities they work for and contribute towards improving society,” says Dr Vilhjálmur Egilsson, rector.
Bifröst’s modular system, introduced in 2013, distributes the students’ workloads evenly throughout a given period. By having shorter terms and
taking fewer courses, students are able to focus more on their studies. The modular system also transfers all lectures into an online video format, which students can access any time, anywhere.
International students benefit from the university’s buddy system, which helps them integrate into the campus community and adapt easily to life at Bifröst. While its full-degree programmes are taught in Icelandic, the university teaches various courses in English in every department.
“Whether individually or in group settings, we train students to apply theories and concepts in resolving practical challenges,” Egilsson says.
To attract more exchange students, the university conducts a three-week intensive summer school programme annually. This year’s summer school covers topics such as creative leadership, sustainability and social responsibility. It also includes site visits to sustainable companies in Iceland. The majority of its summer school participants come from partner universities in Europe and Asia, including academic institutions in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. “Exchange students looking for new destinations enrol in our summer school to enrich their experience, or use it as an elective course,” Egilsson says.
Beginning next year, the university will be offering a one-year diploma course on entrepreneurship to be taught in English. The course will train students on enhancing creativity and realising new ideas.
Bifröst seeks to increase partnerships with Asian universities and is open to academic research and collaboration with visiting professors to offer students a more diversified learning experience.