The largest transformation in the history of the university

The change consists of four overall dimensions, all of which are intended to strengthen the university’s academic development and quality: interdisciplinary centres and forums, organisation, management, and finance and administration.

Interdisciplinary centres and forums: cross-cutting collaboration right from the start

To ensure that Tomorrow’s Aarhus University gets off to the right start in terms of cross-cutting collaboration, we are setting up specific interdisciplinary initiatives in the form of a number of new, academically strong interdisciplinary centres and several interdisciplinary research and management forums.

Organisation: one unified Aarhus University

Every organisational unit has its own limitations.
By establishing one unified Aarhus University, we are reducing internal barriers by greatly cutting down on the number of organisational units. Aarhus University previously consisted of nine independent faculties and schools, but we have now reduced this to four close-knit main academic areas:

• Arts
• Science and Technology
• Health
• Business and Social Sciences

Where there used to be fifty-five departments at the university, there will be twenty-six in future. We are making efforts to consolidate all the departments physically. As far as possible, academically related departments will be geographically located close to each other in strong academic environments – also cutting across the main academic areas.

Management: one unified senior management group

Every leader focuses on his or her own particular area of responsibility. We will ensure a shared focus on academic excellence by creating a unified senior management group with responsibility for the entire university. From now on, this group will consist of the rector, the pro-rector, the university director and the four deans. Each dean is responsible for the academic and financial management of one main academic area and – on behalf of the senior management group – one of the university’s four core activities: research, talent development, knowledge exchange and education.

Finance and administration: greater coherence

Barriers to interdisciplinary collaboration arise when different financial and administrative systems are used. We are therefore breaking down the existing barriers by implementing a common financial model and a more uniform and efficient administration. In combination, these will provide better conditions for the academic development of the university.

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