The academic development process

Aarhus University has initiated an exploration of possible measures to develop and strengthen the university in the areas of teaching and research. One issue under consideration is how to draw greater benefits from the enormous scholarly and scientific resources brought together by the mergers of 2007. Analyses of possible synergies are being carried out in collaboration with two experts on university development, Sachi Hatakenaka og Quentin Thompson.

The academic development process is intended to strengthen Aarhus University's already considerable capabilities in the areas of research, teaching and knowledge exchange, in order to enable the university to help our society meet the major challenges it faces, both present and future. In order to achieve the necessary critical mass, research, education and knowledge dissemination activities must be concentrated in strong, internationally recognised academic environments. For this reason the university is working towards developing a structure with as few organisational units as possible. Aarhus University will consist of a main campus in Århus centred on the University Park along with another major campus in Copenhagen/Emdrup, which will be expanded to include additional fields of research and activities, in addition to strategically located research stations and research facilities.

The university's senior administrative and academic management team (consisting of the Rector’s Office and deans) is actively engaging in the process, most recently at a Sandbjerg seminar on 3-4 March 2010. In addition, department heads and centre directors have participated in workshops on 11-12 February 2010. Additional workshops on the academic development process for selected department heads and centre directors are planned for 18 March. In addition, a Main Liaison Committee (HSU) meeting is planned for April.

The final recommendation to the Board will be completed at a two-day seminar for the senior administrative and academic management team and department heads at Sandbjerg Gods on 25-26 May 2010, and the final decision will be made by the Aarhus University Board at a meeting on 17 June 2010.

Read the presentation of the planned academic development issued by the Rector’s Office (in Danish only)

A choice between research and teaching

In order to compensate for underfinanced study programmes, Danish universities currently spend approximately five per cent of research funding received from the government to finance teaching. Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen draws attention to this problem in an article in the newspaper Politiken, where his analysis is seconded by the Rector of the University of Copenhagen and the Chair of Universities Denmark, the Danish rectors’ conference.

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Minister to visit Aarhus University

On Wednesday 10 March, Ms Lykke Friis, the Danish Minister for Climate and Energy and Minister for Gender Equality, will visit Aarhus University in order to discuss how research and education might contribute to Denmark's efforts to remain a world leader in the areas of climate and energy.

Aarhus University’s Pro-Rector elected representative in regional growth forum

Pro-Rector Søren E. Frandsen has been elected as chairman of the Central Denmark Region Forum for Growth. In coming years, Mr Frandsen will work with representatives from regional business organisations, municipalities and educational institutions to develop strategies to ensure continuing growth in the Central Denmark Region.

Calendar

• 8-9 March: China’s Ambassador Xie visits Aarhus University
• 10 March: The Danish Minister for Climate and Energy and Minister for Gender Equality Ms Lykke Friis to visit Aarhus University.
• 18 March: Next phase of academic development process – theme workshops
• 22-24 April: Festival of Research

Kind regards

The Rector's Office

8 March 2010

The Rector’s Office publishes a newsletter every week. This newsletter includes a brief description of current activities and discussions. You can sign up for the Danish version of the newsletter at http://info.au.dk/medarbbreve, after which you will receive an e-mail whenever the newsletter is issued.