Nivi Olsen, Greenland’s Minister for Education, Culture, Sport and Church Affairs, with Dr Ólína Kjerúlf Þorvarðardóttir, Rector of Bifröst University.
June 9. 2026Greenland’s Minister for Education Visits Bifröst University
Nivi Olsen, Greenland’s Minister for Education, Culture, Sports and Church Affairs, visited Bifröst University today to learn more about the university’s operations, with particular emphasis on distance learning and flexible study programmes.
During the visit, the Minister met with Dr Ólína Kjerúlf Þorvarðardóttir, Rector of Bifröst University, along with other representatives of the university.
The primary purpose of the visit was to gain insight into the experience and expertise that Bifröst University has developed in the field of distance education. For many years, the university has been a leader in this area in Iceland, offering a learning environment that enables students to pursue higher education regardless of where they live.
“We are delighted to share our experience and expertise with our good neighbours in Greenland. Greenland’s geographical circumstances make it particularly important to bring educational opportunities to people living in more remote communities. In that respect, we have valuable experience to offer here at Bifröst University,” said Ólína. She also expressed her hope that the visit would contribute to continued cooperation between the two countries in the field of education, with a particular focus on developing solutions for dispersed communities.
The meeting also addressed shared challenges facing Iceland and Greenland in higher education, the importance of ensuring access to education throughout both countries, and opportunities for increased knowledge exchange and cooperation across the Arctic region.
Nivi Olsen holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences from Ilisimatusarfik, the University of Greenland in Nuuk, and has been involved in educational policy development in Greenland for many years. Ilisimatusarfik is Greenland’s only university and plays a key role in the development of higher education and research in the country.
Bifröst University thanks the Minister for her visit and welcomes the opportunity to strengthen ties and further cooperation between Iceland and Greenland in the fields of education, research and community development.