Dean Brian Bech Nielsen named new rector of Aarhus University

The Aarhus University Board has decided to appoint Dr Brian Bech Nielsen as rector of Aarhus University as of August 2013 for a six-year term. Dr Bech Nielsen is currently dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Aarhus University.

2013.03.06 | Anders Correll

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The Board voted unanimously to appoint Dean Bech Nielsen to succeed the present rector, Dr Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen. The position of rector was advertised both in Denmark and internationally; eleven applications were submitted.

‘We have placed considerable emphasis on Dr Bech Nielsen’s extensive experience as a researcher, manager and teacher. The Board is putting the final touches on Aarhus University’s new strategy for the period 2013-2020, which among other things emphasises interdisciplinarity and internationalisation. We are convinced that Brian Bech Nielsen possesses the academic, leadership and personal qualifications and qualities necessary to head the university and realise the strategy,’ says Chairman of the Board Michael Christiansen.

Brian Bech Nielsen, who is 55 years old, grew up in Holstebro, a provincial town in West Jutland. Before becoming dean of Science and Technology, Dr Bech Nielsen was the head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, where he was appointed professor of experimental solid state physics in 2007. His research interests included semiconductor materials such as silicon, and he cooperated closely with iNANO, the university’s centre for nanotechnology research. Dr Bech Nielsen has been a member of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters for many years, in addition to serving on several boards of directors. However, he has already decided to resign from these seats when he takes up his position as rector in August.

‘I will continue to focus on managing Science and Technology until August, but I am looking forward to taking on the position of rector. Aarhus University has played an absolutely decisive role in my career and in my life, and I will approach the position of rector with great respect and humility in the face of the duties and responsibilities that lie ahead,’ says Dr Bech Nielsen.

Experience from the mergers

Aarhus University has undergone a range of mergers with other institutions of research and higher education in recent years. Most recently, the university merged with the Engineering College of Århus in 2012, which joined Science and Technology under Dean Bech Nielsen’s leadership. The university is also in the midst of an academic development process aimed at strengthening internal coherence and collaboration and thereby improving the university’s ability to contribute solutions to global challenges.

‘Turning Science and Technology into a unified faculty has been a large, complex task, and Brian Bech Nielsen has been doing an exemplary job as dean. As rector, we are convinced that he will continue to hold our present course and ensure that Aarhus University as a whole continues to develop positively,’ says Chairman of the Board Michael Christiansen.

One of the first major actions Dr Bech Nielsen intends to take as rector is a round of the entire university:

‘In the space of a short time, Aarhus University has undergone extremely fundamental changes that have necessitated this major reorganisation. We have to acknowledge that the implementation [of the reorganisation] has given us challenges that we need to do something about. Now it’s a matter of listening and making adjustments where this turns out to be necessary,’ says Dr Bech Nielsen, who is looking forward to open, direct dialogue with students and staff and to hearing about whatever problems people are facing.

‘Aarhus University’s hallmark has always been its high academic standards, and the only way for us to handle international competition is to continue to develop our strong core disciplines. At the same time, we must strengthen our ability to work together across our disciplines, so that we can provide society with the knowledge and solutions needed to address the large, complex challenges facing it,’ explains Dr Bech Nielsen.

About the Aarhus University Board

The Aarhus University board has eleven members: six external members in addition to student representatives and representatives of academic and technical/administrative staff. Read more on the Aarhus University Board homepage