– No. 57 of 19 March 1999

Entered into force 1 July 1999. Amended by Act No. 71/2004 (entered into force 1

January 2005)

Section I. Scope, Task and Administrative Authority

Article 1. [This Act applies to the following agricultural educational institutions: the Agricultural University of Iceland and the Hólar University at Hólar, Hjaltadalur.]1)

1) Act No. 71/2004, Article 1

Article 2. By this Act, the Minister of Agriculture represents the chief administrative authority regarding agricultural education. According to the Act, the Minister of Agriculture bears the responsibility for the quality of education provided by the agricultural educational institutions, meeting the conditions for quality as set forth in Act No. 63/2006 on Universities and Act No. 80/1996 on Secondary Schools.

Article 3. Agricultural education means organized studies and teaching, research, education and other instruction bearing upon the custody, treatment, cultivation and use of land and other enrichment of the soil. Agricultural education also encompasses livestock for the production of food, and raw materials for industrial production or other value creation — and for the marketing of such products, as well as for the protection of the land and replenishment of the fertility of the soil.

Agricultural education covers scientific work and distribution of knowledge concerning special areas of agriculture and diversification in the use of land, such as agricultural production, agriculture, soil reclamation, horticulture, forestry, benefits attached to land, fishing in rivers and lakes, fish farming and tourism as well as technology issues, marketing issues, ecology and environmental issues in connection with these fields.

The purpose of agricultural education is:

a. To provide instruction, practical occupational education and university education supported by scientific research to a competitive and diversified agricultural sector built upon the sustainable use of Iceland’s natural resources.

b. To provide opportunities for continuous education in the fields of study covered by this Act.

Article 4. [Deleted]

Article 5. The Minister of Agriculture shall adopt [regulations]1) concerning the following issues in the operation of the agricultural educational institutions:

1. The methods that are to be applied when fulfilling agricultural educational institution obligations concerning control of the quality of the education, the qualifications of teachers and the organization of the external quality control system.

2. How the institutions fulfil their research role, their duties with regard to controlling the quality of research and the use of the funds allocated for that purpose.

3. Complaints and/or the right of students to appeal in cases where they are of the opinion that their rights have been violated. Such rules may contain provisions to the effect that appeals by students shall be referred to a special appeals committee that has final ruling powers.

[4. Division of duties between individual educational institutions]1)

1) Act No. 71/2004, Article 3

Article 6. Agricultural educational institutions must cooperate in their work with other educational and scientific institutions both in Iceland and abroad regarding education and research. Special agreements may be drawn up for this purpose.

Section II. Studies and Teaching

Article 7. The management of each institution makes decisions regarding the organization of studies and teaching, education, learning evaluation, research and other issues concerning the affairs of the institution in question, on the condition that such decisions are in conformance with the purposes of this Act as stated in Article 3.

Article 8. The agricultural educational institutes provide for agronomic study programmes that culminate with specified degrees in agronomics, such as technical degrees or a journeyman’s examination — and academic studies that finish with specific degrees, such as a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree or a doctoral degree, in addition to continuous education programmes in the fields of study covered by this Act. Studies at these institutions shall be adapted to the step-by-step and unit study programmes of secondary schools and universities.

Article 9. Students who enter the agronomic study programmes in these agricultural educational institutions must have completed primary education or have obtained an equally valid basic education. The management of each of these institutions may place special additional conditions for admission.

Article 10. Students who begin agricultural studies at the agricultural educational institutions must have completed matriculation examinations or other comparable studies, or, in the opinion of the university’s administration, possess equivalent maturity and knowledge. The university’s administration board may decide to impose special additional conditions for admission in each specified academic study programme.

Admission conditions and course requirements for studies at the agricultural educational institutions should correspond to the requirements made by accredited universities in comparable fields abroad.

Article 11. General agronomic studies in these institutions should be organized as one- to three-year study programmes. Teaching in these institutions must be conducted through courses evaluated by number of units. The agronomic studies shall conclude with degrees in agronomic study programmes — or with a journeyman’s examination that is awarded when the student has passed examinations in all study courses and successfully delivered assignments pertaining to studies for the degree in question according to the curriculum guide.

Article 12. General academic studies shall be based on three or four years of study. Specialized shorter study programmes may be offered. Teaching shall take place through courses evaluated by the number of units. Full-time studies are evaluated as 30 units (60 ECTS) for each university year. The university studies shall conclude

with a degree, which shall be awarded when the student has passed examinations in all study courses and successfully delivered assignments pertaining to studies for the degree in question.

Article 13. A curriculum guide shall be prepared for each specified study programme that stipulates the purpose, contents and general subjects of the studies, including vocational field training when applicable. A syllabus shall be published every year, based on this curriculum guide, wherein the study arrangements, teaching methods

and study evaluation are explained. The syllabus or other work plans shall, furthermore, stipulate the division of the teaching period into semesters, terms, class hours, examination periods, leave and other factors connected with the organization of studies. The Minister of Agriculture shall issue a schedule1) of university degrees.

1) Official Notices No. 530/2001, 707/2004.

Article 14. If a secondary school sets up an agricultural study programme, the curriculum guide for such studies and arrangements for vocational training as well as study evaluation must be approved by the Minister of Education following the comments of the Minister of Agriculture.

Article 15. The governing body of each institution shall ratify rules for the registration of students in individual study programmes, including further details regarding the conditions for admission.

The governing body of each institution determines the amount of registration and tuition fees that each student must pay at the beginning of each school year. Registration and tuition fees must be based on demonstrable costs for matriculation, stationery and teaching materials that the school provides its students, and which are

regarded as necessary for its operations.

The agricultural educational institutions may impose charges for services other than those services that they are required to provide by law. Furthermore the agricultural educational institutions may impose charges for continuous education programmes and for courses for the public. The University Council of both universities shall issue

rules that detail the charging of fees and the distribution of the fees discussed in this clause. Only those students who are enrolled in the study programmes at any one time will be counted among the students of the agricultural educational institutes.

Section III. Research

Article 16. The agricultural educational institutes shall conduct scientific research. This research shall be organized in combination with other research in the field of agriculture and land use.

Special emphasis shall be placed on basic research to obtain scientific knowledge and to put the results into practical use, such as marketing and product development. These institutions may also undertake research services for the benefit of agriculture and other industries.

In order to perform their research role, the institutions must have necessary farming operations at their disposal along with access to land, livestock, buildings and equipment for research and testing.

Article 17. [The Agricultural University of Iceland shall operate a special research department, cf. Section 5 of Act No. 64/1965 on Industrial Research, as amended.]1)

The agricultural educational institutes may hire specialists (especially for research purposes) who may have teaching duties in the particular institute and/or field. When specialists are hired for research and other scientific work for an institute, rules shall conform to comparable rules for those applying to the hiring of teachers, cf. Article 26

and Article 33.

1) Act 71/2004, Article 4

Article 18. Special research funds may be established to strengthen the institutes’ research work. These funds are subject to charters ratified by the Minister of Justice and must be published in Stjórnartíðindi (the government gazette).

Section IV. Continuing Education and Instruction

Article 19. The agricultural educational institutes may operate departments for continuous education in the fields of study discussed in this Act. The governing body of each institution shall adopt more detailed rules regarding working procedures of the departments for continuous education.

Article 20. The agricultural educational institutions may undertake instruction and consultancy for the agricultural sector and related industries. To this effect, agreements shall be entered into with the respective industrial associations and organized interest groups, as and when applicable.

Section V. [The Agricultural University of Iceland. Administration and

Staff]1)

1) Act No. 71/2004, Article 12

Article 21. [The Agricultural University of Iceland is a scientific educational university-level institute in the field of agriculture and horticulture, providing its students with education and scientific practice so that the students are able to undertake specialized work and research work for the benefit of Icelandic agriculture and horticulture.]1)

1) Act No. 71/2004, Article 5

Article 22. [The administration of the Agricultural University of Iceland is entrusted to the University Council and the Rector. The University Council formulates policy for teaching and research, and forms the organization of the university.

The Rector is the administrative director of the university and is responsible for its operations. S/he is responsible for the preparation of work plans and operational budgets, and for ascertaining their approval by the University Council.

On the initiative of the Rector, the University Council forms the Agricultural University of Iceland policy towards individuals and institutions within the university and outside of it. S/he directs the operations of the university and, on his/her initiative, the University Council forms general policy in the university’s affairs. The Rector has the power to hire any university employee. The work of the Rector shall be further specified in his/her commission.]1)

1) Act No. 71/2004, Article 6

Article 23. [The following have a seat on the University Council:

1. The Rector, who is also the Chair of the Council.

2. One Representative appointed by the Minister of Agriculture.

3. One Representative nominated by the Minister of Education.

4. One Representative nominated by the Farmers’ Association of Iceland.

5. One Representative nominated by SA – the Confederation of Icelandic

Employers.

6. One Representative nominated by the governing Council of the University of

Iceland.

7. One Representative nominated by the employees of the Agricultural University

of Iceland.

8. One Representative nominated by the student body.

Both Full and Alternate Members shall be nominated and appointed to the governing

Council of the University. The Minister of Agriculture appoints the members of the Governing Council of the University for three-year periods.]1)

1) Act No. 71/2004, Article 7

Article 24. The Rector convenes the meetings of the Agricultural University of Iceland’s Governing Council. If three representative Members of the University Governing Council request a meeting, it is the duty of the Rector to convene a meeting. The Rector chairs the meetings of the Governing Council. A meeting of the University Governing Council constitutes a quorum if a minimum of 75 percent of the Members with voting rights attend. The number of votes decides the issue at hand. In the event of a tie, the vote of the [Chair]1) decides the outcome. Alternates attend the

meetings of the University Governing Council when Full Members are unable to attend.

1) Act No. 71/2004, Article 8

Article 25. The Minister of Agriculture appoints the Rector for a period of five years [after the Minister of Agriculture has received the recommendations of the University Governing Council.]1) The position of Rector shall be advertised as open to receive applications. Only those who have passed a post-graduate degree at a university and who have

acquired management experience may be appointed to the position of Rector.

1) Act No. 71/2004, Article 9

Article 26. The faculty of the [Agricultural University of Iceland]1) consists of Professors, Associate Professors, Lecturers and part-time teachers. Professors, Associate Professors and Lecturers are the only faculty members whose main jobs are teaching and research. The University Governing Council sets further rules regarding job requirements of tenured teachers.

1) Act No. 71/2004, Article 10

Article 27. The Rector hires Professors, Associate Professors, Lecturers and parttime teachers. An applicant for the position of Professor, Reader or Lecturer must provide information regarding his/her university education, scientific work and other jobs, as well as their publications and research.

A Faculty Member of [the Agricultural University of Iceland]1) must have a master’s degree as a minimum or have the equivalent knowledge and experience, in the opinion of the Selection Committee. A Faculty Member must also have demonstrated success by having acquired recognition in their field of work. A three-person selection committee shall be appointed to evaluate the qualifications of the applicants for the position of Professor, Reader or Lecturer. The Rector appoints a Selection Committee, one Member nominated by the Minister of Agriculture and two Members by the University Governing Council, one of whom shall be appointed by the Rector as the Chair of the Committee. As Members of the Committee, only those who have completed at least a master’s degree from a university may be appointed, and at least two of the Committee Members must work outside the university.

To ascertain that an applicant is qualified for the job, the Selection Committee must provide a reasoned opinion as to whether that applicant may be hired on the basis of the scientific value of his/her work and research, as well as upon his/her academic record and jobs. No one shall be hired as Professor, Reader, or Lecturer unless a majority of the Selection Committee has issued an opinion that the applicant is qualified.

1) Act No. 71/2004, Article 10

Article 28. [The Agricultural University of Iceland shall offer special agricultural study programmes and special vocational training courses in the field of horticulture. Teachers who do not fulfil conditions as university instructors according to Article 27 may be hired for agricultural study programmes and for vocational training courses. The administrative authority of agricultural study programmes and vocational training programmes at the Agricultural University of Iceland is subject to the provisions of Articles 22 and 23, and the Rector of the University is furthermore its head.]1)

1) Act No. 71/2004, Article 11

Section VI. [Hólar University. Administration and Staff]1)

1) Act No. 71/2004, Article 13

Article 29.

Hólar University is a university-level scientific educational and research institute that provides its students with education and scientific training so that its students may undertake specialist and research jobs in the University’s fields of speciality.

Hólar University is a centre for teaching and research in the fields of horse farming and horsemanship, fish farming and rural tourism. The University may operate an international department in the field of horse farming and horsemanship where tuition fees can be collected.

The top administration of Hólar University according to Article 30 may establish teaching programmes or research programmes in other fields of learning, on condition that such operations meet the conditions for accreditation in accordance with Act No. 63/2006 on Universities.

Article 30. The top administration of Hólar University is entrusted to the University Council and the Rector. The University Council shall formulate the policy with regards to teaching and research and masterminds the organization of the University.

The Rector is the head of the University’s administration and is responsible for it. The Rector is responsible for the preparation of work schedules and operating budgets, and for their approval by the University Council.

The Rector is the highest representative of Hólar University in relation to people and institutions inside as well as outside the University. S/he manages the operations of the University and shall provide the initiative for the University Council on formulating general policy in the University’s affairs. The Rector has the authority to hire any University employee. The tasks of the Rector shall be defined in his/her commission.

Article 31.

The University Council consists of:

1. The Rector, who is also the Chair of the Council.

2. One Representative nominated by the Minister of Agriculture.

3. One Representative nominated by the Minister of Education.

4. One Representative nominated by the University Council of the University

of Iceland.

5. One Representative nominated by the Minister of Fisheries.

6. One Representative nominated by the Minister for Transport.

7. One Representative nominated by the Horsetrainers’ Association.

8. One Representative nominated by the institutions’ employees.

9. One Representative nominated by the student body.

Full Members and Alternates shall be nominated and appointed to the University

Council. The Minister of Agriculture appoints the University Council for a three-year

term.

Article 31.a

The Rector convenes the meetings of the University Council. If three University Council Members request a meeting, it is the duty of the Rector to convene a meeting. The Rector chairs the meetings of the University Council. A meeting of the University Council constitutes a quorum if a minimum of two-thirds of the Members with voting rights attend. The number of votes decides the issue at hand. In the event of a tie, the vote of the Chair decides the outcome. Alternates attend the meetings of the University Council when Full Members are unable to attend.

Article 32.

The Minister of Agriculture appoints the Rector for Hólar University for a period of five years after the University Council has received the recommendations of the University Council. The position of Rector shall be advertised as open to receive applications. Only those who have who have passed a post-graduate degree at a university and who have acquired management experience may be appointed to the position of Rector.

Article 33.

The faculty of Hólar University consists of Professors, Associate Professors, Lecturers, tenured part-time teachers and part-time teachers. Professors, Associate Professors and Lecturers are the only faculty members whose

main jobs are teaching and research. Requirements for the education of teachers who teach at colleges are stipulated in the Act on Colleges No. 80/1996. The University Council sets further rules regarding job requirements of tenured

teachers.

Article 34.

The Rector hires Professors, Associate Professors, Lecturers, tenured part-time teachers and part-time teachers. An applicant for the position of Professor, Reader or Lecturer must provide information regarding his/her university education, scientific work and other jobs, as well as his/her publications and research. A Faculty Member of [Hólar University]1) must have a master’s degree as a minimum or have equivalent knowledge and experience, in the opinion of the Selection Committee. A Faculty Member must also have demonstrated success by having acquired recognition in his/her field of work. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 33, a teacher of

vocational subjects may be hired who, in the opinion of the Rector and University Council, has acquired sufficient knowledge and job training in the area of studies in question.

A three-person selection committee shall be appointed to evaluate the qualifications of the applicants for the positions of Professor, Reader or Lecturer. The Rector appoints a Selection Committee, one Member nominated by the Minister of Agriculture and two Members by the University Board, one of whom shall be appointed by the Rector as the Chair of the Committee. The Chair shall have the same or higher qualifications as stated previously, if feasible. As Members of the Selection Committee, only those who have completed at least a master’s degree from a university may be appointed, and at least two of the Committee Members must work outside the university.

To ascertain that an applicant is qualified for the job, the Selection Committee must provide a reasoned opinion as to whether that applicant may be hired on the basis of the scientific value of his/her work and research, as well as upon his/her academic record and jobs. No one shall be hired as Professor, Reader, or Lecturer unless a majority of the Selection Committee has issued an opinion that the applicant is qualified.

Section VII. Finances

Article 35. The cost of the work of the agricultural educational institutes is paid from national government funds in accordance with the National Budget. Each institute independently receives appropriations from the National Budget. The Minister of Agriculture makes recommendations on appropriations for each institute. The Minister of Agriculture is allowed to decide when setting fees that the operational cost of an institution is met.

Article 36. The agricultural educational institutes may obtain special financing

through:

a. Fees, cf. Article 15

b. Services providing operations in connection with university sites.

c. Farming.

d. Tuition fees, cf. paragraph 3 of Article 29.

e. Consulting services.

f. And/or other methods compatible with the schools’ basic duties.

The agricultural educational institutes may both establish and be part of independent operational units for the strengthening and development of their principle objectives.

Section VIII. Miscellaneous Provisions

Article 37. The Minister of Agriculture sets further rules regarding the implementation of this Act by regulations,1) working procedures and resolutions.

[The Minister of Agriculture sets regulations with further provisions regarding the organization and work of the research department of the Agricultural University of Iceland.]2)

1) Reg. 244/2003, Reg. 320/2003 2) Act No. 71/2004, Article 14

Article 38. This Act entered into force on 1 July 1999.

Article 39.1)

1) Act No. 71/2004, Article 14

Article 40. The landed estates of Hólar, Hvanneyri and Reykir are registered farms and with their appurtenant produce and revenue are assigned to the educational institutes in question. The operations of these farms shall serve the general objectives for each individual institute and the role they play in their surrounding environment as well as their role on a national scale.

Interim Provisions

- I. Students who, at the time of this Act’s entering into force, are pursuing studies at the above-mentioned universities are entitled to finish their examinations according to existing arrangements for studies applicable for these institutions. The students may, however, if they so choose, finish their exams according to the new arrangements for

studies that apply to these universities.

- Appointed and non-term limited employees of the Farmer’s School at Hvanneyri, the Farmer’s School at Hólar and the State Horticultural School at Reykir shall keep their positions. Only those who meet the requirements of Act No. 136/1997, Article 7 on Universities may become Professors, Associate Professors and Lecturers at the Agricultural University at Hvanneyri.

- The Principal of the Farmer’s School at Hvanneyri will become the Rector of the

Agricultural University at Hvanneyri.

- The Principal of the Farmer’s School at Hólar becomes the University Principal at Hólar University. And the Principal of the State Horticultural School at Reykir becomes the School Principal of the State Horticultural School.

- [II.1) Positions with the Agricultural University at Hvanneyri, the State Horticultural School at Reykir, Ölfus, and the Agricultural Research Institute are abolished when this Act enters into force. The employees of the above institutions shall be offered positions with the Agricultural University of Iceland.

- Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 16 of this present Act, a new University Governing Board shall be appointed as of 1 July 2004 in accordance with Article 7 of this Act, with the reservation that, in lieu of Rector, the Minister of Agriculture appoints the Chair of the University Governing Board for a set term until a Rector of the Agricultural University of Iceland has been appointed.

- Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 16 of this present Act, a Rector of the Agricultural University of Iceland shall be appointed from 1 August 2004 and s/he shall, in cooperation with the University Governing Board, prepare the

implementation of this Act.

- At the time of the entering into force of this Act, the Agricultural University of Iceland shall take over all the assets and commitments of the Agricultural University at Hvanneyri, the State Horticultural School and the Agricultural Research Institute.

- Students who, at the time of entering into force of this Act, pursue studies at the Agricultural University at Hvanneyri and at the State Horticultural School, are entitled to finish their studies according to the current arrangements for studies applicable for these institutions. The students may, however, finish their examinations according to the new arrangements for studies if they so choose]2)

1) The provision accompanies Act No. 71/2004

2) Act No. 71/2004, amended

- III. Positions at Hólar University at Hólar, Hjaltadalur, are to be cancelled when this Act enters into force. The Institute's employees are to be offered positions at Hólar University.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 13 of this present Act, the Rector of Hólar University and the University Board shall be appointed as of 1 January 2007 and the Rector and the University Board shall from that time prepare the implementation of this Act.

At the entering into force of this Act, Hólar University shall take over all the assets and obligations of Hólar University at Hólar in Hjaltadalur. The provisions of Article 2 shall be implemented when the agricultural educational institutions have been accredited, cf. Article 1 and Article 3 of the Act on Universities No. 63/2006. Students, who are pursuing studies at Hólar University at Hólar in Hjaltadalur when this Act enters into force, are entitled to complete their studies

according to the existing arrangements. Students may, however, finish their examinations according to the new arrangements for studies if they so choose.

This Act shall be revised prior to 1 June 2008 in order to harmonize and increase cooperation concerning university-level quality control and the selection of study courses offered, cf. interim provisions of Act No. 63/2006 on Universities.

Passed at the Icelandic Parliament (the Alþingi) on 9 December 2006.