Søren E. Frandsen, Director General of the Institute of Food and Resource Economics at the University of Copenhagen, has been appointed Pro-rector for Knowledge Transfer at the University of Aarhus. The University Board was unanimous in its decision on Monday 28 April to approve Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen’s recommendation. Søren E. Frandsen thus joins the rectorate at the university, along with Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen, Pro-rector for Academic Affairs Nina Smith and Director of Administration Niels Højberg.

Søren E. Frandsen returns to the University of Aarhus, where he completed a degree in Economics in 1988. Søren E. Frandsen’s career has led him to places such as the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development), the Danish Economic Council’s secretariat and, most recently, the Institute of Food and Resource Economics at the University of Copenhagen, where he is Director General. On several occasions, Søren E. Frandsen has been heavily involved in mergers between sector research and universities. He thus brings important experience with him to the University of Aarhus, which has merged with several major institutions in recent years. He has a background in research and research management in the field of food and resource economics, and has considerable knowledge in applying research to useful advice for Danish and international authorities.

“Søren E. Frandsen has a background that is strong and very relevant for the University of Aarhus, and we’re pleased that he’s now becoming part of the rectorate,” says Chairman of the Board Jens Bigum. “His experience in areas such as research-based advice to the authorities is important for the University of Aarhus because, since the mergers, it’s an even more central activity for the university,” continues Jens Bigum.

“Søren E. Frandsen has solid experience within all the areas we demanded of a new pro-rector,” says Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen. “He’s experienced in management and research management, is very firmly grounded in research-based advice to the authorities, and in all his tasks, relaying information has been an important and natural part of his work. He’s precisely the all-round pro-rector we dreamed of for a large university, where the tasks are diverse and always in a state of development.”

“I’m very much looking forward to being part of the rectorate at the University of Aarhus and to coming back to the university where I have my roots,” says Søren E. Frandsen. “The University of Aarhus has so much potential, and it’s really well on the way to exploiting it. I look forward to the interesting tasks and especially to contributing to fulfilling the aim of the University of Aarhus to be one of Europe’s leading universities.”

More information

Further details are available from Jens Bigum, Chairman of the Board, mobile +45 2014 4155, Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen, tel. +45 8942 1141, mobile +45 2338 2126 or Director General Søren E. Frandsen, mobile +45 2925 8690.

Søren E. Frandsen’s CV (in Danish only)

Press photo of Søren E. Frandsen

Facts about the University of Aarhus

The University of Aarhus has 35,000 students, 8,500 members of staff and a turnover of DKK 4.5 billion.

The university’s strategy and development contract are available at www.au.dk/en.

29. april 2008

Anders Frølund
af@adm.au.dk
Informationskontoret