The annual gala meeting of the South Iceland Science and Research Fund was held on Wednesday, the 12th. February in the hall of Fjölbrautarskóli Suðurlands. The Árnesingi Music School began the ceremony with a performance of the work O Salutaris by F. Schubert, with Karolina Koniczna, Auður Garðarsdóttir and Jónína Eirný Sigurðardóttir singing with piano accompaniment by music teacher Ester Ólafsdóttir.
Two students received a grant from the South Iceland Science and Research Fund this time. Anna Guðrún Þórðardóttir, a doctoral student at the Agricultural University of Iceland, received a grant for the project “Genetic adaptation of barley to demanding environmental conditions”. The main goal of the project is to promote the development of barley varieties that are adapted to cold-temperate environmental conditions, such as those in Iceland. The project is therefore an important link in strengthening grain cultivation and in creating food security here in Iceland. Clémence Daigre, a doctoral candidate at the University of Iceland, received a grant for her project on glacial hydrology and predictions of how glacial hydrology will respond to a warming climate. The research area covers four glaciers of Vatnajökull, and a computational model will be developed that connects subglacial water flow and a groundwater model that will be based on geological assumptions. Since Clémence was absent, her mentor, Guðfinna Th. Aðalgeirsdóttir received the grant on her behalf.
The President of Iceland, Mrs. Halla Tómasdóttir, presented the grants and delivered an address, but the presidency has participated in the celebration from the beginning. GA speech by Mrs. Halla was made, emphasizing the value of research and innovation for a small nation like ours.
Also present was former grantee of the fund, Anna Selbmann, who spoke about her interesting research on the interactions between pilot whales and killer whales in the waters south of Iceland, and the talk was very informative and entertaining.
The South Iceland Education Awards were also presented at the Festival, which are awarded by the Association of Southern Local Authorities. This time they were the responsibility of the Árborg family department, which has been responsible forPractical Icelandic courses for parents of primary school children from multicultural backgrounds . The aim of the project is to offer parents of primary school students from multicultural backgrounds free Icelandic courses where they will learn key concepts and develop vocabulary related to school work, as research shows that language difficulties can hinder parental participation in school work.
The University Association of South Iceland sincerely congratulates the grantees and award winners and thanks everyone who attended the celebration in one way or another for their contributions.
