VMA 9th of September 2008 - Comenius visit 09.09 2008 Verkmenntaskólinn á Akureyri The Comprehensive College in Akureyri www.vma.is

Welcome to VMA http://www.vma.is 9. september 2008

Akureyri – Eyjafjörður - Iceland

VMA 9th of September 2008 - Comenius visit 09.09 2008 Information Established 1984 Number of staff 150 Number of students 1350 Distance learning students 700 www.vma.is

General objectives The role of colleges in Iceland is to prepare students for further studies employment daily life

Our objectives in VMA: Good school for all students Variety and flexibility Opportunities for top students Support for students in need of extra supervision Cooperation with student’s homes

1st years students field trip

Departments Vocational studies 1-5 years Studies for matriculation examination 31/2 - 4 years Art department 4 years Preparation studies 1-2 years

Departments Art department Studies for matriculation examination Design and textiles Fine arts Studies for matriculation examination Business Sociology Natural science Matriculation examination after vocational studies

Departments Housing (painters, plumbers, carpenters, cabinetmaker) Vocational studies Housing (painters, plumbers, carpenters, cabinetmaker) Metalwork Electronics Auto mechanic Engineering Culinary Nurse assistants Sports Business

Service for students in VMA Students counseling (academic and personal tutoring) School nurse Project manager for kids at risk; drug- and drinking abuse prevention Dormitory in cooperation with Menntaskólinn á Akureyri (Akureyri Junior College)

ISO 9001 In May 2007 VMA got ISO 9001 licence for education in engineering. That means that our engineering students have international licenses.

Art department, painting

Computer lesson

Metalwork, welding

Culinary department, cooking

Culinary department, waiter

Electricity, calculation

Carpentry, sawing

Housing, industrial drawing

VMA 9th of September 2008 - Comenius visit 09.09 2008 Students social life Project manager for students social life Two teachers work with the students board Highlights of the year! Students annual celebration Students song contest “open days” Thursdays night events (boccia, coffie house, girls only party, boys only party, music night, etc.) Various competitions e.g. sport, quiz show, speech competition and competitions in students study (vocational studies). www.vma.is

Students song contest

The 1st year students invited to the school by the older students

Graduation

Iceland

Geology Size: 103 000 sq km (38 000 sq miles) Location: 63°24N-66°33N 13°30W-24°32W

Geology Rugged, abrupt, jagged Immense variety of scenery 200 volcanoes 30 active since settlement Eruption every fifth year Frequent earthquakes but rarely harmful

Geology Glaciers: 11.5% Vegetation: 25.0% Rocks, mountains, lava: 63.5% Weather: Reykjavík –0.4°C – 11.2°C Akureyri -1.5°C - 10.9°C

Mt. Hekla

Krísuvík

Þingvellir

Hraun í Öxnadal

Vatnajökull

Lake Mývatn

Population Population: 311 000 Language: Icelandic Ancestors: Scandinavian, Celtics Settlement: in year 874 More than half of the population lives in the greater Reykjavík area C.a. 10% live in rural area The rest lives in towns and villages scattered around the coast line

Down town Akureyri during summer Location: Eyjafjörður on the north coast Population:17 000 Trade: Fishing, farming, industry and education Down town Akureyri during summer

VMA 9th of September 2008 - Comenius visit 09.09 2008 Akureyri www.vma.is

VMA 9th of September 2008 - Comenius visit 09.09 2008 Akureyri in late autumn www.vma.is