In June in Arkhangelsk, the Council of UArctic accepted the establishment of three regional offices supported by the distance delivery of UArctic’s Circumpolar Studies Program within the regions of North America, Russia, and the Nordic-Barents Region. One institution will host the UArctic Dean and Office of Undergraduate Studies; the two other institutions will host the UArctic Associate Deans of Undergraduate Studies.
Institutions who might be interested in filling the role as regional office for distance delivery of UArctic’s Circumpolar Studies Program should consider their capacity to take the lead of this very important activity in UArctic. The institutions should demonstrate adherence to UArctic values and goals, preparedness to demonstrate relevant competency and experience in international cooperation and the ability to deliver distance education at the bachelor's level, as well as be prepared to work with UArctic to secure funding for the activity.
UArctic will encourage all those who have contributed valuable time and resources to the Circumpolar Studies Program to consider serving in this new role. The call, however, will be fully open for institutions that have not participated in the program so far. Such institutions are especially encouraged to look into the study materials of the Circumpolar Studies and contact the Dean of Undergraduate Studies and others to make sure they are well prepared for the role and will be able to prepare a good proposal.
The function for Russia and the Nordic-Barents Region will be sought to be filled as soon as possible, while a North American lead will only be considered at the end of the term of the current lead (2009).
The final deadline to submit a proposal is expected to be at the end of August 2007.