University of Aarhus 2005
The University of Aarhus – in brief
The University of Aarhus was founded in 1928 and was a self-governing institution until 1970. After about thirty years as a government institution, the university once more became a self-governing institution as a result of the transition to the new University Act, which was adopted in 2003.
The university is divided into five faculties: the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Theology and the Faculty of Science, as well as a common area. In 2005, the university employed about 7,000 people. Converted to full-time positions – expressed in years of work – this equals 3,600 positions. There are approximately 20,000 students enrolled at the university. The University of Aarhus is Denmark’s second-largest university, a large regional workplace and an important international, national, regional and local business partner and supplier of knowledge and education.
With effect from 1 February 2004, the University Board is the supreme authority at the university. The University Board safeguards the university’s interests in its capacity as an education and research institution, and determines the guidelines for its organisation, long-term activities and development. The rector deals with the daily management of the university within the framework defined by the University Board. The remainder of the senior management (the pro-rector and the director of administration), deans, heads of institutes and directors of studies act in accordance with the authorisation granted by the rector.
Tasks
The university’s task is to conduct research and provide research-based education to the highest international standard within its subject areas. The university must ensure equal interaction between research and education, undertake ongoing strategic selection, prioritisation and development of its fields of research and education, and disseminate knowledge of academic methods and results.
It is the university’s task to collaborate with the community at large and to contribute to developing international collaboration. The university’s research and education results must help promote growth, welfare and development in Danish society. As a major provider of knowledge and culture, the university must exchange knowledge and skills with the community at large and encourage staff to participate in the public debate.
It is the task of the university to ensure that the latest knowledge in relevant subjects is made available to other institutions of higher education that do not carry out research.
The University Park with its two lakes stretches out for about 1 kilometre in a wedge-shaped green patch towards the city.