NUSCT Conference 2025

NUSCT Conference 2025: The Role of Universities in Small Scale Societies

The University of the Faroe Islands is pleased to invite you to the NUSCT History Conference 2025, taking place on June 2-3 at the Faculty of History and Social Sciences, J. Broncksgøta 25, Tórshavn.

Universities in small-scale societies play unique and essential roles in their communities—whether at the local or national level.

Unlike their counterparts in larger countries, many of these universities were founded with distinct purposes, such as mitigating out-migration, preserving local culture and language, or modernizing society. Their close connections to political institutions often shape their research priorities and educational focus, sometimes leading to an emphasis on applied science over fundamental research.

This conference will explore the diverse and evolving roles of universities in small-scale societies.

Programme:

Sunday 1. June

19.00 – 20.00 Hotel Hilton, Ice-breaker in bar

Monday 2. June

08.30 Welcome and registration

09.00 Introduction

09:15 Sigri M. Gaini, Føroyar: The Role of Universities in Small Scale Societies

09.45 Runa Preeti Ísfeld, Føroyar: Demographic challenges – societal role of universities in terms of migration and gender

10.15 Erling Isholm, Føroyar: Comparing different origins of universities from small countries and territories.

10.45 Coffee

11.15 Sigurður Kristinsson and Anna Ólafsdóttir, Iceland: The democratic value of universities in small-scale societies

11.45 Jens Christian Svabo Justinussen, Føroyar: Small universities in small scale societies and the trade-off between specialisation and diversification

12.15 Roberto Paci Dalò and Alessandro Renzi, San Marino: The Power of Radio

12.45 – 13.45 Lunch

13.45 Key-Note speaker: Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson, The last bastions of nationalism in academic circles

14.30 Dewan Ahsen, Denmark: Why Collaboration Between Universities, Industry, and Communities is Critical for Achieving Sustainability

15.00 Coffee

15.30 Karen Venturini, San Marino: Developing innovative educational approaches to gender-based violence: the case of the University of San Marino

16.00 Nebojša B. Vučinić and Sanja Grbović, Montenegro: The Role of Universities in Montenegro in Preserving and Promoting Montenegrin Culture and Language in the Digital Age

16.30 END

17.30 – 18.45 Optional sightseeing tour in the oldest part of Tórshavn. Walking distance from venue to no-host dinner at Katrina Christiansen

Tuesday 3. June

09.00 Montserrat Casalprim Ramonet og Cristina Yáñez de Aldecoa: The University of Andorra as a driver of social mobility and employability

09.30 Bárður Larsen, Føroyar: Universities and the problem of academic authority in small societies

10.00 Matthias Kokorsch, Iceland: The University Centre og the Westfjords turns 20 – A success story in regional transformation and community development?

10.30 Coffee

11.00 Erland Viberg Joensen, Føroyar: The evolution of the Faroese University and other cultural and scientific institutions and the Faroese society in the 1950s and 1960s

11.30 Marco Greggi, San Marino: Small Societies and Special Needs: The Case for a Coherent Tax Policy

12.15 – 13.00 Lunch

13.00 – 18.00 Excursion to the island of Vágar, visiting Múlafoss, coffee & cake in the small village Bø and guided tour to WW2 museum

19.00 Arrival from hotel to Conference dinner in the historical village, Kirkjubø