Sami University College celebrated its 20th anniversary in conjunction with the opening of the new science building, Diehtosiida, on November 2, 2009 in Kautokeino, Norway. Sami University College is one of the founding members of the UArctic network. The Diehtosiida will also be home to two other UArctic members, Gàldu and the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry. 
A seminar on Sami research was organized as a part of the celebrations. The panel discussion in the seminar, chaired by Ole Henrik Magga, professor at Sami University College and Friend of UArctic, focussed on the future of Sami and Indigenous Higher Education and Research. The panelists were Rector of the University of Bergen Sigmund Grønmo, President of UArctic Lars Kullerud, Chair of the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Concortium (WINHEC) Jan Henry Keskitalo (also member of UArctic Board since 2001), Prorector of Sami University College Marit Breie Henriksen and Chair of the Sami Parliamentary Council Lars Anders Baer.
from left Jan Henry Keskitalo, Lars Anders Baer, Sigmund Grønmo, Ole Henrik Magga, Marit-Breie Henriksen, and Lars Kullerud
Before the panel, rector Sigmund Grønmo launched the seminar with a keynote about the development of higher education in Norway, and the role of the Sami in this development.