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Portland

UNE welcomes Icelandic Ambassador Bergdís Ellertsdóttir to campus

Icelandic Ambassador Bergdís Ellertsdóttir and UNE President James D. Herbert
Icelandic Ambassador Bergdís Ellertsdóttir speaks at a reception and planning meeting for the Arctic Circle Assembly at UNE North.

The University of New England hosted Icelandic Ambassador Bergdís Ellertsdóttir for a reception at UNE North: The Institute for North Atlantic Studies on Friday, Aug. 20.

It was Ellertsdóttir’s first time visiting Portland, a trip she made to assist the Maine delegation in preparing for its upcoming trip to the Arctic Circle Assembly in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavík this October. It will be the first meeting of the Arctic Circle Assembly since 2019, which was well attended by representatives from UNE.

UNE President James D. Herbert, Ph.D., gave remarks at Friday’s reception, as did Holly Parker, Ph.D., director of UNE North.

“UNE North itself is the product of an Arctic Circle Assembly, and so we’re very excited to be going back this year,” Parker said. “UNE North is committed to help Maine and the region achieve its sustainability goals to create healthier environments and economies.”

Also in attendance were representatives from the Maine International Trade Center, the Maine North Atlantic Development Office, the University of Southern Maine, New England Ocean Cluster, and the office of Governor Janet Mills.

Ellertsdóttir took note of each organization’s expectations for the upcoming trip, and she provided an update on the COVID-19 situation in Iceland.

Ellertsdóttir also said she had enjoyed her time in Portland.

“This is the first time I’m here, and I’m not sure I’m going to leave,” Ellertsdóttir remarked.

Icelandic Ambassador Bergdís Ellertsdóttir
Bergdís Ellertsdóttir
Holly Parker, Ph.D., speaking to crowd
Holly Parker, Ph.D., director of UNE North

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.