A Doctor of Medicine and a Master of Sea Angling

Stefán B. Sigurðsson has long been involved in the affairs of the University of Akureyri (UNAK). “I’ve actually been connected to the university almost since the beginning. When Þorsteinn Gunnarsson was appointed Rector in 1994, I was on the selection committee, and during the first two years of the Faculty of Nursing, I flew between Akureyri and Reykjavík to teach physiology.”

A Strong Connection to UNAK

Stefán completed the preliminary medical examination at Lund University, Sweden, where he transitioned into a research path, earning his PhD in 1980. “I realized clinical work wasn’t for me, and I’ve never regretted choosing the research route. That decision eventually brought me back to Akureyri at the age of 61—60 years after my parents had moved away with me, then a one-year-old, to Reykjavík,” says Stefán, clearly content with his return to the North.

After completing his doctorate, Stefán was hired by the University of Iceland’s Faculty of Medicine, where he worked for 27 years—six of those as Dean. In 2009, in the midst of Iceland’s financial crisis, he was appointed Rector of UNAK. “It wasn’t an easy time. Much of our energy went into defending the university’s presence in Akureyri. The government was calling for cuts, and one option on the table was to merge or close down universities. I recall spending a great deal of time finding ways to show that we were responding responsibly, without compromising the quality of education or research,” he reflects. “Tough decisions were made, including shutting down two costly programs and asking staff to accept temporary pay cuts. We pulled through thanks to the collective efforts of everyone involved, and when I stepped down as Rector in 2014, I was able to do so with peace of mind.”

Laying the Groundwork for Doctoral Studies

Despite difficult circumstances, one of Stefán’s priorities—shared with others—was to establish doctoral studies at UNAK. Initially, departments applied individually for permission to offer PhD programs. “The Ministry rejected those applications, considering the departments too small. So we changed strategy and applied on behalf of the university as a whole, targeting specific academic fields. That move came to fruition after I stepped down,” he explains.

At the same time, a Centre for Doctoral Studies was established to support departments involved in doctoral education, and a Doctoral Council was formed to oversee the program university-wide.

After his term as Rector, Stefán became a professor in the Faculty of Nursing, where he worked until he turned 70. He then took on the role of Professor Emeritus. “That position is based on an annual agreement, often involving specific projects. Professors emeriti can engage in teaching and research, and I’ve done both,” he says. “One of my assigned projects was chairing the Doctoral Council.”

Leaving a Lasting Legacy

“I stepped down from that role this June, feeling truly satisfied. It’s been incredibly enjoyable and meaningful to be part of this chapter in the university’s story,” Stefán reflects modestly. In reality, his efforts have been pivotal. Thanks to the solid foundation he helped build, UNAK was formally authorized earlier this year to offer doctoral programs in education and psychology. The university now holds accreditation for PhD studies in eight academic fields.

Life Beyond Academia

Stefán has no plans to slow down. “I’ll continue as Professor Emeritus and will substitute for my successor this fall during a scheduled PhD defense at the university.”

But academia isn’t his only passion. Not many may know that Stefán holds numerous trophies in sea angling. “I started over 30 years ago and now have a decent fishing boat. There’s something about the sea that calls to me—I’ve even gone coastal fishing for the past three summers, and I plan to do the same this summer,” he says.

With that, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Stefán for his invaluable contributions to UNAK. We’re fortunate to know that he’ll remain active at the university in the coming year—and we wish him every success in all his future endeavors, academic or otherwise.