UiT assumes leadership of the university alliance The Arctic Six, University of Oulu acts as co-director

For the next two years, UiT will have leadership responsibility for fostering closer collaboration between six Arctic universities in Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
UiT takes over the leadership of The Arctic Six: Dag Avango (left), Dag Rune Olsen, and Johanne Raade. Photo: Kaja Alexandra Halvei-Larsen / UiT The Arctic University of Norway

The connections between the northern regions of the three Nordic countries are becoming increasingly close due to societal challenges such as climate change and geopolitical tensions.

In the years to come, this could provide an important framework for close university collaboration between the universities in the neighbouring regions.

On 28 April, UiT assumed responsibility for strengthening this type of integration by taking over the leadership of the university alliance The Arctic Six from Luleå University of Technology. University of Oulu will act as co-director for next two years and will take charge of the leadership in 2027.

The leadership involves coordinating joint programmes in research, education and innovation among six Arctic universities in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Together, these universities comprise 10,000 academic staff and 100,000 students.

The overarching strategic decisions for the alliance's collaboration are made by a steering committee and a council consisting of the rectors of the six member universities (the Rector’s Council), with a Chair, a rotating position lasting two years. The university holding the leadership also appoints a director for the secretariat of The Arctic Six, who is responsible for the organisation's operations.

New forum on Arctic security

UiT assumed the leadership of The Arctic Six during the conference Arctic Six Extended: Forum on Arctic Security. The event was held at UiT in Tromsø, bringing together leading researchers and stakeholders from politics, governance, defence, technology, and industry sectors.

During the debates, different solutions were highlighted for building better and more secure infrastructure in the Arctic regions of Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

"This forum is a testament to the tremendous development we have seen in the alliance over recent years. I am proud and impressed by how it has evolved," said former director of The Arctic Six, Dag Avango. He passed the baton to Johanne Raade, Director of the University Library at UiT. The co-director, Kirsi Latola comes from University of Oulu's Thule Institute.

UiT's Rector, Dag Rune Olsen, believes that the university collaboration can bring many positive ripple effects to the northern regions and that UiT can help strengthen the integration process between the three countries.

"The Arctic Six as an alliance is much more than the sum of its parts. We share ideas and insights and face the same challenges. Research-based knowledge is crucial for societal development. We will ensure that we thrive in the next period," stated Olsen.


Facts about The Arctic Six

  • The alliance consists of UiT, Nord University, Luleå University of Technology, Umeå University, the University of Oulu, and the University of Lapland.
  • Together, the universities have 10,000 researchers and 100,000 students.
  • They collaborate on education, research and innovation to contribute to the development of the Arctic as a sustainable region.
  • Businesses and industries in the three countries work closely with The Arctic Six universities.
  • The Arctic Six also serves as a regional centre for the international UArctic network.

  • The main theme of the discussions during the conference was total defence, focusing on various sustainable solutions to strengthen security and resilience in the Arctic regions.

    Original article can be found here:

    https://en.uit.no/nyheter/artikkel/kortnytt?p_document_id=878670

Last updated: 2.5.2025