UArctic okay until 2009

SIKU CIRCUMPOLAR NEWS

Finland’s ministry of education has confirmed that it will continue supporting the International Secretariat of the University of the Arctic until 2009.

“Long-term security on core funding makes it easier for us to plan our activities,” said Outi Snellman, UArctic’s deputy director and head of the International Secretariat in Rovaniemi, Finland. “We hope that all Arctic countries will be able to follow suit with long-term funding to UArctic.”

Earlier this month, six students and three instructors from Nunavut Arctic College visited the Saami University College in Kautokeino, Norway. They were on a 10-day exchange through a UArctic program called Verdde, which means “a mutual beneficial exchange” in Saami. The program allows small colleges from across the circumpolar world, which are affiliated with UArctic, to visit and learn from each other.

During the group’s stay in Kautokeino, they visited the Saami parliament, attended a local film festival, and learned about local traditions. The students also gave presentations about Inuit history and culture to local schools.

Nunavut Arctic College is sending an English language instructor to Kautokeino next September, while the Saami College is hoping to send instructors to Iqaluit to do research.