Bifröst University in West Iceland will offer 69 rooms and 17 apartments as housing for Ukrainian refugees arriving to the country, RÚV reports. University President Margrét Jónsdóttir Njarðvík says the most important thing is to create a safe and peaceful environment for the new arrivals. While the university provides housing in its facilities, the municipality of Borgarbyggð and the Icelandic Red Cross will manage the reception of the refugees.
Studies at Bifröst have changed in recent years, with the university emphasising online learning. This means that many of its residences are unoccupied. “The apartments are free because Bifröst has defined itself as a leader in distance education and as a result, there are fewer people living on campus than before,” Margrét explains. That gives the university an opportunity to support those who have been impacted by the war in Ukraine.
“It’s incredibly important to get some opportunity to help out and we have sent out a notice to both students and teachers that everyone will have an opportunity to contribute and we will definitely ask businesses for help when the time comes,” Margrét stated. The first refugees are expected to arrive within two weeks.
