FINANCIAL- AND OCCUPATIONAL AFFAIRS
Röskva wants to prevent students’ financial situation from stopping/hindering equal access to education. Around a third of Icelandic university students either seriously or very seriously evaluate their financial situation, which is far more than the average university student in Europe (Eurostudent link). Financial concerns is one of the main reasons why Icelandic students take a break from education. The connection to university education to the economy should not be controlled by the short-term demand of the economy, but rather the aim should be to prepare students for the anticipated changes in the job market, such as the fourth industrial revolution.
Recovery of students’ rights to unemployment benefits
Röskva demands that students are guaranteed the right to unemployment benefits so when students need to apply for financial aid after job loss they have the same opportunity as other working people. Students had this right prior to an amendment which took effect at the beginning of 2010. It is a matter of equality that the legal environment is corrected with students in mind.
INTERDISCIPLINARY DAY
Röskva believes that all divisions at the University of Iceland should take the School of Health Sciences as an example when it comes to interdisciplinary collaboration. An interdisciplinary day should be held in all divisions in which students from various faculties come and work together, as it happens often when people are in the economy.
ENTREPRENEUR CENTER
It is a good thing that the University of Iceland is closely connected to Gulleggið and other entrepreneurial projects. However we believe that UI can do even better. We propose to make facilities available for entrepreneurs to work and further develop their ideas. SHÍ’s entrepreneur- and innovation committee could, for example, manage leasing and registrations for the area.
INFORMATIONAL EVENTS - KEEP US INFORMED
Recordings of educational events related to finance and economy in the school could be increased. Recordings of useful events could be made available to students after events. Teachers could be encouraged to use the opportunity to increase the connection of the economy in their teaching.
INTERNSHIPS SHOULD BE PAID
Röskva believes that the aim should be to increase the availability of internships and that in each case it should be clear from the beginning how the internship is evaluated for credits. In addition, in any respect, internships at for-profit companies should be paid.
STATUS OF FOREIGN STUDENTS IN FINANCIAL- AND OCCUPATIONAL AFFAIRS
Röskva believes the status of foreign students in financial- and occupational affairs can be significantly improved. Presentations and information should be accessible in English. Moreover, financial support for foreign students who are frequently in a difficult financial situation. Röskva demands that foreign students with a student permit, who are not from the Schengen Area , have the right to work at least a 50% work week. Röskva also demands that the application process for a work permit be improved to make it easier for foreign students to start working as soon as possible.
STUDENTS RIGHTS IN UNIONS
Röskva believes that students' rights in unions should be more visible. Students tend to earn rights through summer jobs but are not sufficiently informed about what those rights entail. Moreover, Röskva wants to increase students' access to union funds. In most cases, students are only in the job market for a few months of the year. During that time they pay union fees, but do not gain a right to grants from union funds. Röskva has begun their work on improving this.
FINAL PROJECTS SHOULD BE OFFERED IN COLLABORATION WITH COMPANIES
Röskva believes that the University of Iceland needs to strengthen its ties to the job market. One of the possibilities would be to increase further collaboration between students and companies when it comes to research and final projects.
PRESENTATION ON JOB/EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Röskva wants the job opportunities after graduation to be presented to each School within the University, in order to prepare students for the job market.
NETWORKING SQUARE
Röskva wants the Networking Square to be improved substantially. Its role is to connect students with the job sector, but, in order to guarantee the intended results, the jobs advertised must have people pursuing education in mind. Opportunities to work on-site can greatly improve a student’s experience in the field and networking potential. As an example, it is possible to provide easier access by filtering job advertisements by Schools, faculties or job requirements. Moreover, the Networking Square should be accessible in more languages.
PREPARATION FOR THE FUTURE
In the coming years, the job market will radically change in the aftermath of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Röskva wants the University to be aware of the fact that present and future students will graduate and enter a job market that will change throughout their working life, and, therefore, it is important that students acquire a wide array of skills in their studies. It is crucial to consider those factors when working to strengthen the ties to the job market.
FINANCING INNOVATION IN ALL AREAS
Röskva wants all students from every School of the University to receive increased access to funding for innovation projects.
WORKING TOGETHER TO INNOVATE
Röskva believes it important that students have the option to choose an interdisciplinary elective course in innovation with the University of Iceland.