Keilir - Atlantic Center of Excellence

The institute was founded in the spring of 2007 and the name Keilir, Atlantic Center of Excellence, symbolizes Iceland's position in the globalized world; with the goals of the institute being to build up knowledge, teaching and research at a university level within the international academic community.

Keilir is building up an educational community on the site of the former US Military Air-Base in Keflavik now called Ásbrú Enterprise Park and is a leader in rewriting the possibilities for Icelandic education through innovative approaches in bringing together businesses and academia, knowledge and finance on international base.

The purpose of Keilir is to create and disseminate knowledge in an active partnership with domestic and international schools, companies and other economic partners. Values that guide Keilir, Atlantic Center of Excellence are: research and development, quality, results, knowledge and profits supported by the local community, Icelandic economy, Icelandic society, owners, students and staff. Keilir, Atlantic Center of Excellence is owned by: The University of Iceland, Glitnir Bank Ltd,. Keflavik Savings Bank, Icelandair Group, HS Geothermal Power, Reykjavik Energy, Icelandic Geosurvey, Geysir Green Energy and others.

Keilir consists of four different schools, besides a Preliminary Department where the main objective is to prepare students, who have a vocational training and/or sufficient practical experience in industry, with the knowledge and competency necessary for further studies at university level. The schools are Health and Education School, Energy and Technology School, Aviation Academy and School of Creative Industries. Each School has its own aims, in accordance with Keilir´s objectives, and builds on the importance of an International Airport and environmentally friendly resources besides collecting and using existing knowledge in the surrounding area.