The meeting saw more than thirty university leaders from across the circumpolar world and beyond convene to discuss issues including national Arctic research strategies and how northern universities can ensure that science is more responsive to the needs of northern communities.
Umeå University's Vice-Chancellor Lena Gustafsson is enthusiastic about the strong influx to the meeting. “It is important that we strengthen our networks for research and education in the North, not least now, seeing how the Arctic area increasingly comes into focus,” she says.
Arcum, the new Arctic centre of Umeå University hosted the meetings.
Parallel to the Rectors’ Forum there was a corresponding program for students and doctoral students. Concluding the event, the rectors held a business meeting including a review of the UArctic Charter and plans for future meetings. The Rectors' Forum Declaration outlines the recommendations arising from these discussions.
The next Rectors’ Forum will be held as part of the joint UArctic Congress in Saint Petersburg, Russia in 2016, where the university leaders will come together with UArctic's Board, Council and Thematic Networks. University of Aberdeen was chosen as the location of the 2017 Rectors’ Forum.
The UArctic Rectors’ Forum is held annually, and is an opportunity for senior university leaders in UArctic to openly discuss common issues and challenges.