Continuing Professional Development for Academic Staff Working in Higher Education

Teachers in higher educational institutions usually go abroad for further training. The associations of teachers of a particular subject also come into various in-service projects such as the Vocational Training Fund of the Association of Academics. Similar systems are in place at other higher education institutions in Iceland. 

Organisational Aspects

Lecturers, senior lecturers and professors may apply for a one-year sabbatical, every six years. Alternatively, they may apply to a six-month sabbatical, every three years. They also receive a yearly travel grant to travel abroad for research or continuing education. The contents and the structure of further education for teachers at the higher education level are mainly decided by the faculty councils and meetings of the faculties in question. 

Incentives for Participation in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Activities

Lecturers, senior lecturers and professors receive a one-year sabbatical every six years or a six month sabbatical every three years. They also receive a yearly travel grant to travel abroad for research or continuing education. Rules for incentives for academic staff were passed in reg. Nr.862/2001 which encourage academic staff to an active professional development and research work with the possibility of salary increases and credits for promotion. Evaluation of such is in the hands of the universities administrators.