Education is power – a statement which applies for individuals as well as for whole regions.  But precisely how does knowledge empower a peripheral region? And is it enough to ensure education or do we need more? During this seminar, Icelandic and Scottish scientists and practitioners will share their findings and opinions on this topic with each other.
 

Wednesday, 30.11.2011, 12:00-16:00, University Centre
Language: English
  
Schedule

People in the Westfjords have for many years campaigned for higher education in the Westfjords, not least for traditional face to face education in the region. With the establishment of the University Centre, the discussion has reached another level. Should higher education institutions in a peripheral region limit themselves to provide education for the locals? Should they focus on economic impacts? Is it enough to prevent the brain drain? Can they obtain brain gain? Can we learn from Scotland's experience?

In this seminar researchers as Robert Wright and Kristinn Hermannsson from Strathclyde University, Nicole Bourque from Universtiy of Glasgow, Vífill Karlsson, who has worked for both Bifröst University and University of Akureyri and Anna Guðrún Edvardsdóttir, who is working on her PhD on education in peripheral regions at University of Iceland and University of the Highlands and Islands, will present their findings on the economic and social impacts of education in pripheral regions. Practitioners as Aðalsteinn Óskarsson from the Westfjords municipalities' association, Shiran Þórisson from the Westfjords economic development agency as well as Peter Weiss from the University Centre of the Westfjords share their findings and experience.