Rector answers student questions at public meeting

Last Tuesday, about one hundred students took the opportunity to ask Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen questions about the academic development process at a public meeting.

Rector Holm-Nielsen opened the meeting, which was held at the University Student House, by describing the general framework for the development process and the university's visions for the future. Rector Holm-Nielsen explained that the development process is aimed at breaking down the visible and invisible barriers that limit students' choice of study programme, thus creating a more flexible educational environment.

However, the students expressed more concern about the future of their current faculties and fields of study, in particular ASB and the Faculty of Theology. Rector Holm-Nielsen assured the students that the goal of the academic development process is neither to shut down the university's smaller fields of study nor to reduce the size of the student body. Rather, the process has been initiated in order to ensure a high standard of quality for all of the university's study programmes and study environments.

In addition, Rector Holm-Nielsen emphasised that the goal of strengthening study programmes and study environments makes involving students in the process natural and necessary. For this reason, the nine interdisciplinary working groups which have been tasked with submitting their recommendations to university management in May include several student representatives.

Read the students' questions and Rector Holm-Nielsen's answers here (in Danish only)

University management receives expert advisory support

As announced in the previous newsletter, nine interdisciplinary development groups have been appointed. Along with international experts in university development Sachi Hatakenaka and Quentin Thompson, these working groups have been tasked with advising university management on the development process. The recommendations submitted by the working groups and the external consultants will provide a basis for the discussions to take place at the joint seminar at Sandbjerg on May 25-26 and ultimately for the final recommendation from the Rectors' Office to the University Board, along with the results of the initial meetings in the four academic 'families' and input from such sources as Main Liaison Committee meetings, the Academy Councils and contributions to debates on the AU website.

The University Board will consider the issue of the overall structure of Aarhus University at a meeting on 17 June.

Read more about the academic development process or contribute to the debate via email

Road map for the research facilities of the future

The task of preparing a report identifying the most important requirements for the research facilities of the future has been assigned to a large research team which includes Aarhus University staff members.  The so-called 'road map for research infrastructure' has been commissioned by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation. The report will ensure that funding for the research facilities of the future is allocated on the basis of a thorough evaluation of Danish and international requirements.

In order to ensure the involvement of a broad range of researchers, research environments and research institutions, the team will be composed of six panels, representing different academic fields. The website for the road map contains information on the members and objectives of the six panels (in Danish only).

Calendar

• 12 April: Extraordinary meeting of Main Liaison Committee
• 13 April: Academic development process workshops
• 14 April: Staff meeting on the academic development process at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aarhus University, Foulum
• 19 April: University management meeting
• 20 April: Staff meeting on the academic development process at the National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University (NERI), Roskilde
• 22–24 April: Festival of Research
• 26 April: Minister for the Environment Ms Karen Ellemann to visit the National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University (NERI)
• 28 April: University Board meeting
• 29 April: Annual boat race in University Park
• 10 May: University management meeting
• 25-26 May: Two-day seminar on the academic development process for senior management team and department heads at Sandbjerg Gods
• 28 May: Rigmor og Carl Holst-Knudsens Videnskabspris award ceremony
• 10 June: Main Liaison Committee meeting
• 17 June: University Board meeting
• 17 June: Rector’s summer speech

Kind regards

The Rector’s Office

8 April 2010