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The University - founded in 1965 - is an independent institution whose purpose is to carry out scholarly research and to provide advanced education. The costs of the University are paid out of public funds, after their approval in the Faroese Government budget.
The University is governed by the Rector together with the University Council and the main departmental councils. A liaison committee maintains contact with the Faroese Government. The University Office is responsible for the day to day management. There are three departments: the Department of Faroese, the Department of History and Social Sciences, and the Department of Natural Sciences, all of which carry out research and give advanced instruction. The University also arranges courses, lectures etc. for the general public. The Faroese Language Advisory Office (Málstovan) is housed at the University. This office gives institutions and the general public advice and information concerning the Faroese language.
The University has cooperation agreements with other universities, which also cover the continuation of studies, and "Nordplus" makes it possible for the universities to exchange teachers and students.
The University also arranges research projects financed by outside sources and it administers the annual budget grants for study tours to the Faroe Islands for 5-7 foreign students, or young researchers, whose studies are connected with the Faroe Islands.
The three departments employ 19 academic staff and 15 technical/administrative staff. In addition to these there are visiting lecturers and external examiners.
There are 90 students and four ph.d. students enrolled at the University (January 1999).
The Department carries out research and conducts degree courses in Nordic Studies, particularly Faroese language and literature, and poetry in the oral tradition.
The Department houses the collection of words for the Faroese dictionary, the collection of place names, lists, maps, pictures, a collection of examples of Faroese usage, and a collection of folklore. There is a large collection of tape recordings of poetry in the oral tradition, Faroese dialects, place names, and of people's recollections in general. The Department has a collection of manuscripts and a library with a reading room and a small reference library. Much of the work of the Department the past 5 years has been devoted to the production of a dictionary of the Faroese language. It was published on July 24 1998.
The Department of Faroese conducts a 2-year degree course (exam. art.) and a 4-year degree course (cand. phil.) in Nordic Studies, particularly Faroese language and literature. There is not enrolment for these courses every year.
The Department employs 6 academic staff and 4 (full- and part-time) administrative staff.
Both in matters of research and teaching the Department cooperates closely with research institutions and scholars in other countries, particularly in the Nordic countries.
The Department carries out research and conducts degree courses in History, Cultural History and Social Sciences. Particular emphasis is placed on research into Faroese history, cultural history and Faroese society.
The research is important for the establishment of Faroese identity in the present and the past and for the understanding of Faroese society.
The History and Cultural History courses are: 2-year basic course (exam. art.), 3-year degree course (B.A.), 4-year degree course/major subject (cand. phil.).
There are two 1-year courses in Social Sciences: a 1-year basic course in Social Studies and a 1-year basic course in Economics, Trade and Language.
The Department has its own library of historical literature and Nordic and international periodicals. The Department co-operates with Nordic universities and other universities abroad; for example, the Department is in charge of two Nordic projects.
The Department employs 4 permanent academic staff and 1 part-time administrative member of staff. Two holders of research scholarships are attached to the Department.
The Department of Natural Sciences carries out scientific research and conducts degree courses. The Department employs 9 academic staff and 3 technical and administrative staff, some part time.
The Department of Natural Sciences provides complete degree courses (B.S.). Emphasis is placed on the study of matters relevant to Faroese society. The following courses are available: Computer Studies (3 years), Physics/Geophysics (3 years), Electrical Engineering (3˝ years), and Biology (3 years). The courses are recognized by universities abroad, where it is possible to take post graduate degrees. Credit is also given at universities abroad for the initial 2-year basic course.
The projects, tasks, and subjects for research which the Department deals with are: radioactive pollution, weather and climatic changes, mathematical models of ocean currents, modern telecommunication, the inherited characteristics of fish, and dictionary systems. The research is carried out in cooperation with scientists from other institutions, both in the Faroe Islands and abroad.
The teaching and research carried out at the Department of Natural Sciences have contributed to raising the level of knowledge of science and technology in the Faroe Islands.