Anne Husebekk has passed away
The former UiT rector passed away on December 5, 2025, after being diagnosed with a severe cancer illness earlier this year. She was 69 years old.
"With Anne's passing, UiT The Arctic University of Norway has lost one of our most central figures," says current UiT Rector, Dag Rune Olsen.
Anne Husebekk spent most of her professional life at UiT. She graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Tromsø in 1982 and later became a specialist and professor of immunology at the same institution.
In 2011, Husebekk became Vice Dean for Research at the Faculty of Health Sciences. Two years later, she ran as a candidate for rector and won with over 70 percent of the votes.
After serving two terms as rector, new leadership roles awaited her at UiT. From 2023 until she became ill, Anne Husebekk was the head of the Centre for the Ocean and the Arctic. Additionally, she led the work on "Project 181 in the North," the expansion of medical education at UiT.
Anne Husebekk was 69 years old. She is survived by her husband Lars and their children Mads, Camilla, and Oda.
The funeral will be held in Tromsø Cathedral at 2 PM on Monday, December 15th – Anne's 70th birthday.
UiT will hold a memorial service in Tromsø on Tuesday, December 9, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
A book of condolences will be available at Árdna at UiT in Tromsø, as well as at our campuses in Harstad, Narvik, and Alta. If you wish to send your condolences, you can do so at norges.arktiske.universitet@uit.no.
The family requests donations to Hansmarka Vel instead of flowers. The contributions will be used for youth and children's initiatives in the area. Donations can be made via Vipps to 834310, marked "Anne."
