Regulations on academic qualifications and awarding of academic titles

UNAK and SAk have concluded an agreement in relation to HHA which gives SAk employees an opportunity to receive recognition of academic qualifications or be awarded an academic title.

Regulations on UNAK’s recognition of academic qualifications of SAk employees and the awarding of academic titles at HHA no. 287/2018 

Regulations on the Institute of Health Science Research

Article 1. General information 

The Institute of Health Science Research (HHA) is a scientific research institution that was established with a framework agreement on collaboration between the District General Hospital in Akureyri (FSA), now Akureyri Hospital (SAk), and the University of Akureyri (UNAK) dated 7 October 2002.

With this agreement, SAk and UNAK wish to enhance teaching and research in health sciences by increasing cooperation and making these aspects in the work of the institutions more visible. In Icelandic the title of the Institute is “Heilbrigðisvísindastofnun Háskólans á Akureyri”.

Article 2. Role 

The primary roles of HHA are the following:

a. to be a joint forum for research for the employees of SAk and UNAK, as well as other health institutions according to a more detailed agreement with them 
b. to strengthen ties between research and teaching and coordinate research in health sciences that are carried out at UNAK, SAk or other health institutions 
c. to support teaching and training in scientific work methods and provide students in graduate studies in health sciences with assistance in their research work as far as possible 
d. to contribute to cooperation with domestic and foreign research parties in the field of health sciences and strong ties to industry and society 
e. to attend to service projects in research in the health sector 
f. to publish and present results of research in health sciences 
g. to provide instruction and consultation concerning issues relating to health services 
h. to organise and contribute to the holding of symposiums and conventions in the field of health sciences 
i. to organise or contribute to courses and lectures being held

In other respects, the Board of HHA develops its operations.

Article 3. Board 

The Policy Committee of UNAK/Akureyri Hospital (cf. framework agreement) is also the Board of HHA and the Chair of the Policy Committee is also the Chair of HHA’s Board.

The Policy Committee/Board selects HHA’s Director for a period of three years at a time. The Director of HHA shall attend meetings of the Policy Committee when HHA’s matters are discussed and when special Board meetings of HHA are held.

The Director handles the daily operations of HHA and implements the strategy and decisions of the Board at each time. The Board forms the strategy of HHA and sets rules on aspects of its operations as needed at each time. Furthermore, the Board settles debatable questions which may arise and that relate to the internal operations of HHA.

Article 4. Board meetings 

The Board of HHA shall regularly hold special Board meetings for the Institute where matters relating to it shall be discussed. Board meetings shall generally be held at least once each semester.

It is obligatory to call Board meetings if two or more members of the Policy Committee request this. In case of a tie vote at such a meeting, the vote of the Chair or the person acting as Chair decides the outcome.

The Board maintains minutes of meetings where its decisions shall be registered. The minutes shall be confirmed at the end of a meeting but no later than at the next meeting held. It is permissible to hold Board meetings together with meetings of the Policy Committee or directly following them, but in such instances agenda items shall be separate and those aspects relating to the operations of HHA shall be specially registered as minutes of HHA’s Board.

Article 5. Facilities 

UNAK and SAk provide HHA with work facilities, such as housing and equipment, in accordance with provisions in a collaborative agreement concluded between the institutions.

Article 6. Hiring of employees 

Employees of health institutions that have concluded an agreement with HHA and SAk and who fulfil the necessary qualifications for the position of university teachers, cf. the Act on Public Higher Education Institutions no. 85/2008, within academic fields that are either taught in the School of Health Sciences or relate to its subjects, can apply for positions at HHA.

The positions involve a minimum of 20% work obligation at the UNAK School of Health Sciences which is generally divided so that ¼ goes towards teaching and ¾ towards research. A different division between teaching and research may be negotiated. Concerning remuneration for this work contribution, the applicant negotiates specially with the institution that is the applicant’s principal employer.

The Policy Committee makes a decision on how many positions are permissible at HHA at each time. The positions are awarded for three years at a time. The Rector hires for positions at HHA subject to an opinion from the UNAK Evaluation Committee, School of Health Sciences and Policy Committee. The positions are advertised on the intranet of the respective institutions.

The UNAK Evaluation Committee assesses the qualifications of applicants for positions at HHA according to the rules that apply to appointment to positions at UNAK. The Evaluation Committee determines the qualifications of applicants to serve in the position of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor.

Persons deemed qualified shall have comparable rights and carry out comparable duties as Assistant Professors, Associate Professors and Professors as appropriate, even if their principal employer is another institution, on the condition that this is consistent with laws, regulations and wage agreements according to the rules that apply to the hiring. 

Concerning advancement, the same rules apply to these positions as apply to teachers at UNAK. In other respects, rights and obligations are based on the current wage agreement of the respective employee and regulations of the University of Akureyri.

Article 7. Rules on academic titles 

Employees of Akureyri Hospital with the Hospital as their principal employer and who attend to teaching and research have a right to apply for an evaluation of qualifications to be granted an academic title at HHA in accordance with the current regulations of UNAK.

Recognition of academic qualifications gives the respective employee permission to use the academic title that he/she is deemed qualified for in the position of Clinical Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor. This furthermore entails that the employee publishes his/her works jointly in the name of SAk and the UNAK School of Health Sciences.

To formalise this role, the title holder and HHA conclude a formal agreement concerning participation in the work of the School and the academic position (rights and obligations) that the title provides. The Rector awards titles subject to an opinion from the Evaluation Committee; a title is awarded for a period of 5 years but is waived if the employee leaves his/her position at SAk.

Article 8. Research at the Institute of Health Science Research 

Research projects at HHA are housed in the UNAK School of Health Sciences. Publication of scientific articles or other research output, such as presentations of research projects and extracts at conventions or in the media, shall, in addition to being in the name of the respective scientist, also be in the name of the University of Akureyri and Akureyri Hospital.

Every year, HHA holds a presentation of research projects carried out at the Institute. At the beginning of each year, those who are employed at HHA shall inform UNAK’s Research Administration of their plans concerning research and give a written report on research conducted in the past year.

Article 9. Finances, financial plan, fiscal year, annual financial statement, etc. 

The revenue of HHA can be composed of the following:

a. grants for individual projects 
b. payments for service operations  
c. revenue from publishing  
d. other revenue, for example, gifts

It is permissible to operate a research fund at HHA. Rules that the Board of the Institute (Policy Committee) sets apply to the fund.

The accounting for HHA shall be part of the accounting of UNAK. The Board holds financial responsibility for HHA and approves the operating and financial plan of each year before the start of a new operating year.

Agreements on commissioned research require the approval of the Board. In the case of sold services, which are provided in competition with private parties, such operations shall be financially demarcated from the other operations of HHA in accordance with provisions of the Competition Act.

Article 10. Entry into force 

These regulations set by the Policy Committee of UNAK enter into force with the approval of the University Council on the basis of authorisation in Article 11 of the Act on Public Higher Education Institutions no. 85/2008. Upon entry into force of these Regulations, Regulations no. 876/2003 on the Institute of Health Science Research become void. Thus approved by the University Council on 23 February 2017.

University of Akureyri, 23 February 2017.

Eyjólfur Guðmundsson, Rector 
Eydís Kr. Sveinbjarnardóttir, Vice Chair of University Council

Framework agreement on the cooperation of Akureyri Hospital (SAk) and the University of Akureyri (UNAK)

The parties to this framework agreement are Akureyri Hospital, ID no. 580269-2229, Eyrarlandsvegur, 600 Akureyri, referred to in this agreement as SAk and the University of Akureyri, ID no. 520687-1229, Sólborg, 600 Akureyri, referred to in this agreement as UNAK.

1.0 PURPOSE 

With this agreement, SAk and UNAK wish to strengthen the cooperation of the institutions by enhancing collaboration on research, continuing education and teaching of health care workers.

2.0 MANAGEMENT 

2.1 Supervision 

Supervision of the cooperation is in the hands of the Policy Committee which is composed of three representatives from each contracting party. The SAk representatives on the Committee are the CEO or the CEO’s representative, Chief Nursing Executive and Chief Medical Executive. The UNAK representatives on the Committee are the Rector or the Rector’s representative, Dean of the School of Health Sciences and a representative appointed by a Faculty Meeting in the School of Health Sciences. The institutions take turns chairing the Policy Committee for one year at a time and the change in Chair shall take place on 1 September of each year.

The Policy Committee holds the power of decision in all matters covered by this agreement and supervises the progress and development of individual projects. If ideas for new collaborative projects and/or increased cooperation arise, the Policy Committee shall first be contacted and representatives of the contracting parties on the Committee will then relay such matters within their institution. The Policy Committee works according to the current operating rules of the Policy Committee of SAk and UNAK.

2.2 Management of individual projects 

The Policy Committee can assign the management of individual projects or aspects of the cooperation to parties within the institutions.

3.0 COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS 

Projects already being worked on by the contracting parties and where they intend to increase cooperation are the following:

• Reinforce SAk as a research and teaching hospital
• Contribute to increased collaboration on research
• Collaborate on information and library services
• Strengthen cooperation in IT and computer services
• Organise joint symposiums and/or conventions

3.1 Akureyri Hospital as a teaching hospital 

SAk is a teaching hospital according to the Health Service Act no. 40/2007. The prerequisites for and implementation of individual aspects of cooperation in this area are covered in further detail in individual articles of the agreement.

3.1.1 Clinical/field studies for health care personnel 

SAk provides facilities for clinical/field studies in the fields of health sciences taught at each time at UNAK according to a more detailed agreement.

3.1.2 Retraining and continuing education 

The aim shall be to strengthen the cooperation of the institutions in the areas of retraining and continuing education.

3.1.3 Development of studies in health sciences 

An effort shall be made to develop new lines of study at the graduate level in health sciences at UNAK. The education of health care personnel in the fields most needed in regional Iceland has priority in accordance with the strategy of the University. SAk will support UNAK in building up graduate studies in the School of Health Sciences as regards teaching and research and UNAK will seek to use as a point of reference the needs of the service area of SAk for specialist knowledge at each time. The institutions work together on developing specialised education within the field of health sciences.

3.2 Research 

3.2.1 Institute of Health Science Research at UNAK 
The Institute of Health Science Research (HHA) is a joint forum for the employees of SAk and UNAK to strengthen research in health sciences. Furthermore, HHA has the role of improving the environment for research-based studies (Master’s and Doctoral studies) in the School of Health Sciences at UNAK. HHA can be a forum for the research of scientists who work outside SAk and UNAK, on the condition that their research is housed at HHA and carried out in collaboration with parties within the Institute. The management of HHA is in the hands of the Policy Committee which appoints its Director. Special rules apply to HHA which are approved by the University Council of UNAK.

3.2.1.1 Academic titles 
Employees at SAk whose principal employer is the Hospital and who attend to teaching and research have a right to apply for an evaluation of qualifications to be awarded an academic title at HHA in accordance with current rules of UNAK. Recognition of academic qualifications gives the respective employee permission to use the academic title that he/she is deemed qualified for in the position of Clinical Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor. This furthermore entails that the employee publishes his/her works jointly in the name of SAk and the UNAK School of Health Sciences. To formalise this role, the title holder and HHA conclude a formal agreement concerning participation in the work of the School and the academic position (rights and obligations) that the title provides. The Rector awards titles subject to an opinion from the Evaluation Committee; a title is awarded for a period of 5 years but is waived if the employee leaves his/her position at SAk.

3.2.1.2 Three-year positions 
Certain positions at SAk may be accompanied by a position at HHA, on the condition that the awarding of the position is preceded by an assessment of qualifications according to current regulations. SAk employees who fulfil the necessary qualifications for the position of university teachers, cf. the Act on Public Higher Education Institutions no. 85/2008, within academic fields that are either taught in the School of Health Sciences or relate to its subjects, can apply for positions at HHA. The positions involve a minimum of 20% work obligation at the UNAK School of Health Sciences. The School of Health Sciences is permitted to negotiate with the respective individual concerning division between teaching and research. The Policy Committee decides on how many positions are permitted at each time, but generally the aim shall be for anyone who is interested and fulfils the prerequisites to have an opportunity to be awarded a position according to this agreement. The positions are awarded for three years at a time. The Rector appoints individuals to positions at HHA subject to an opinion from the Evaluation Committee, the UNAK School of Health Sciences and the Policy Committee.

3.2.2 Research output at the Institute of Health Science Research 
Research projects at HHA are considered housed in the UNAK School of Health Sciences. Publication of scientific articles or other research output, such as presentations of research projects and extracts at conventions or in the media, shall be in the name of UNAK and SAk. Every year, HHA holds a presentation of research projects worked on at the Institute.

3.2.3 Financial contributions and grants 
Employees at HHA in a position awarded for a period of three years are permitted to apply for grants to the UNAK Research Fund according to the regulations that apply to the Fund. For grants that may be awarded for research at HHA, the Policy Committee is permitted to decide on a service fee (10% maximum) which is divided between UNAK and SAk, according to a more detailed agreement in the Policy Committee. An academic title does not come with the right to apply for financial contributions from UNAK’s research funds.

3.3 Information and library services 

Research and specialist libraries are operated at SAk and UNAK. They consult and cooperate with each other to ensure that optimal use is made of the financial contributions, facilities and collections of both. The libraries shall seek to consult on the purchasing of journals, both printed and electronic, and on access to databases in the field of health sciences and shall negotiate in advance on division of cost. The aim shall be for the registration and circulation system of the libraries to be the same and that employees of both institutions are ensured mutual rights to services. The libraries cooperate on user instruction and holding of courses. Payment of cost for such courses shall be negotiated in advance.

3.4 Computer and information technology 

The computer and IT departments of SAk and UNAK cooperate on projects relating to distance meetings, distance studies and distance services within the health sector.

3.5 Symposiums and conventions 

The contracting parties shall seek to hold joint symposiums and conventions where, for example, the matters/projects covered in this agreement shall be discussed, as well as professional matters related to health services.

4.0 RANGE OF RESPONSIBILITIES 

Each contracting party holds independent responsibility for implementing the agreement. To the extent that joint projects are negotiated, the responsibility shall be mutual.

5.0 HIRING OF EMPLOYEES 

It is assumed that as a general principle each contracting party hires employees in a conventional manner. Still, it is assumed that the hiring of an employee can become mutual on the basis of this agreement and individual projects that the parties undertake, in which case a special agreement will be concluded in this regard.

6.0 HOUSING 

Both contracting parties supply their premises for mutual projects without special payment, unless this is specially negotiated owing to the nature of individual projects.

7.0 INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT 

Both contracting parties supply instruments and equipment for joint projects without special payment unless such an arrangement is negotiated in advance. Thus, there is mutual will to share instruments and equipment owned by SAk and UNAK. If equipment is purchased for individual projects, it shall be assumed that the party which houses the instruments and uses them in its daily operations will own and pay for them. In the case of mutual use, the parties shall negotiate financing, ownership and responsibility for operation of the instruments before the project is undertaken.

8.0 COST 

To the extent that another arrangement is not negotiated, each party will pay their cost of implementing the agreement or implementing individual projects. Negotiated in advance shall be division of cost for purchased services or other special cost that the contracting parties must incur and is not considered part of the general daily operations of the contracting parties.

The contracting parties agree to evaluate the normal cost of SAk for clinical teaching in health sciences at UNAK or other academic operations, for example, through comparison with other university and teaching hospitals.

9.0 VARIOUS MATTERS

9.1 Duration - Termination 

This agreement is concluded for an indefinite period but each contracting party has authority to terminate the agreement with a six-month notice based on the turn of the year.

9.2 Matters of dispute 

If dispute arises concerning the interpretation of this agreement or individual articles of the agreement or concerning the implementation of individual aspects or projects, the parties shall seek to reach a reconciliation. If this is unsuccessful and if for this reason the terms of the agreement are considered significantly broken, the contracting parties are permitted to terminate the agreement. If it becomes necessary to pursue legal action concerning the agreement, such a case shall be pursued before the District Court of Northeast Iceland.

9.3 Review 

Each contracting party can at any time during the agreement period request a review of this agreement or individual provisions of the agreement. The Policy Committee shall go over the agreement every three years and, depending on circumstances, make suggestions for review if considered necessary.

9.4 Reference to legal provisions, signing, etc. 

This agreement is based on authorisation in Article 11 of the Act on Public Higher Education Institutions no. 85/2008 and Article 21 of the Health Service Act no. 40/2007. The former framework agreement on cooperation between the institutions from December 2012 becomes void upon the signing of this agreement. This agreement, which is prepared in four identical copies, is signed by representatives of the contracting parties in the presence of two witnesses.

Akureyri, 10 May 2017

On behalf of the University of Akureyri:

Eyjólfur Guðmundsson, Rector 
Eydís Kristín Sveinbjarnardóttir, Dean of the School of Health Sciences

On behalf of Akureyri Hospital:

Bjarni S. Jónasson, CEO 
Hildigunnur Svavarsdóttir, Chief Nursing Executive 
Sigurður E. Sigurðsson, Chief Medical Executive

History of the Institute of Health Science Research

On Monday the 7th of October 2002, an agreement on cooperation was signed with the District General Hospital in Akureyri (FSA) where FSA is defined as a university hospital. Today, referred to as Akureyri Hospital (SAk). Halldór Jónsson, Hospital Director, signed the agreement on behalf of FSA, and Þorsteinn Gunnarsson, Rector, on behalf of the University of Akureyri.

The agreement on cooperation discloses, among other things, that the parties to it agree on the establishment of a research institute within the Faculty of Health Sciences at UNAK. The institute is to be known as the Institute of Health Science Research (HHA), University of Akureyri.

The University Council of UNAK agreed on the regulations applicable to HHA on 20 June 2003, published as regulation no. 876 on 20 November in 2003. New regulations on HHA were set on 23 February 2017. At the same time, the former regulations became void, in addition to a framework agreement on the cooperation being signed.