Statutes of the
Nordic University
Association
1. Statutes and members
The Nordic University Association (NUS) is a joint body for Nordic higher education institutions.
The NUS was established on 19 May 1995 as an organisation for cooperation among the Nordic university rectors’ conferences.
The members are Universities Denmark, Universities Finland (UNIFI), The National Rectors’ Conference in Iceland, Universities Norway and The Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (SUHF).
2. Purpose
The NUS will:
provide for mutually aligned development of higher education andresearch in the Nordic countries
promote cooperation among the national university rectors’conferences in the Nordic countries
promote cooperation among universities in the Nordic countries (all higher education institutions affiliated to the respective country’s university rectors’ conference are referred to as ‘universities’ in this context)
hold Nordic university conferences, primarily for rectors and as a rule biennially
act as a joint contact organisation for the Nordic universities and, vis- à-vis the Nordic Council of Ministers and other Nordic institutions such as NordForsk, represent the university perspective on issues with a bearing on university policy
coordinate the work of the Nordic university rectors’ conferences in international contexts when this is deemed appropriate
monitor the activities undertaken in the Nordic Association of University Administrators (NUAS).
3. Board
The Association’s Board comprises two members, normally the Chair and Secretary-General, from each country’s national university rectors’ conference.
The Board decides on the NUS’s organisation and activities and appoints members of the Board of NordForsk.
The Board constitutes a quorum when more than half of the members are present, including the Chair or, if s(he) is absent, when the Secretary-General from the Chair’s country is present. Decisions are taken by a simple majority. In the event of equal voting, the person chairing the meeting has the deciding vote.
The Rectors of the University of the Faroe Islands, the University of Greenland and Åland University of Applied Sciences are entitled to attend the Board meetings as observers. NUAS is also entitled to attend as an observer. Other observers are invited by the Board.
Notice of a Board meeting must be given one month before the meeting. Documentation for the meeting will be sent not later than one week before the meeting. Board meetings are held at least twice a year.
4. Office of Chair
The office of NUS Chair has a two-year term, commencing on 1 January every even calendar year.
The Chair organisation provides a secretariat and is responsible for the meetings.
The rota for the office of Chair has the following order: Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland.
5. Annual report and accounts
The Board issues an annual report at the end of the Chair’s term of office.
There are no financial dealings in the NUS. Each Chair organisation or meeting host bears the costs, if any, of the meetings concerned. For implementation of the university rectors’ conferences, participation fees covering all costs are charged. Retiring Chairs report the costs incurred during their term of office.
6. Secretariat
The Chair’s country provides a secretariat. The secretariat prepares documentation for the Board’s agenda and is responsible for the conduct of meetings and conferences.
At the secretariat, a Secretary-General serves as executive officer, who is the same person who has a seat on the Board. The Secretary-General is responsible for day-to-day management of the NUS. The Secretary-General must keep the Board informed of NUS’s activities.
7. Dissolving and leaving the NUS
A decision to dissolve the NUS can be made only through decisions to the same effect at two consecutive Board meetings.
A decision to leave the NUS must be notified in writing to the secretariat of the Chair’s country.
Decisions on amendments to the Statutes are made by agreement among the members.
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These new Statutes apply from 11 April 2018. They are also available in Swedish. The master copy of the Statutes is held by the Association of Swedish Higher Education (SUHF).