Two new University Board members

Ms Mariann Fischer Boel, who recently stepped down from a position as Denmark's European Commissioner, and the University of Gothenburg's Pro-Rector Margareta Wallin Peterson were appointed to the Aarhus University Board on Wednesday 28 April by a unanimous vote of the Board.

"We wish to ensure that the University Board is composed of members who contribute a broad spectrum of skills, perspectives and ideas. Being able to draw on an experienced profile in European politics such as Marianne Fischer Boel and a respected Nordic university official such as Dr Margareta Wallin Peterson will definitely benefit the Aarhus University Board", states Chairman of the Board Jens Bigum.

In January, Chairman Bigum invited Aarhus University staff and students to propose possible new external board members, which resulted in a number of interesting suggestions. This has made the process very inspiring and interesting, says Chairman Bigum.

On 1 July, Ms Boel and Dr Peterson will replace Ms Sys Koch and Mr Arne Rolighed, who have been board members since the Aarhus University Board with its external members replaced the konsistorium as the university's governing body. In November 2009, the Board voted to begin gradually replacing its external members, after which Ms Koch and Mr Rolighed tendered their resignations as of spring 2010.

Read more at www.au.dk (in Danish only)

AU annual report approved

The Aarhus University Board has just approved the university's 2009 annual report. The budget is in balance, and Aarhus University has a strong position in the competition for external research funding, which the Board found very satisfactory. The turnover for 2009 was DKK 5.27 billion, an increase of DKK 500 million over 2008. The results for the year show a surplus of DKK 27.4 million.

Staff meeting at the Danish School of Education

Over 200 staff members attended a staff meeting on the academic development process at the Danish School of Education.

After an introduction to the development process, Rector Holm-Nielsen and Pro-Rector Frandsen took questions from the floor. The consultancy report by Sachi Hatakenaka and Quentin Thompson was a central issue in the ensuing debate.

A number of participants expressed concern about the future of the School of Education; in response, Rector Holm-Nielsen stated unequivocally that Aarhus University will continue to include a school of education. The issue at hand is how to strengthen the school and integrate it into the rest of the university more successfully.

Read the Rector's introductory presentation and questions and answers from the debate (in Danish only) 

Minister for the Environment Ms Karen Ellemann visits the National Environmental Research Institute in Silkeborg

Minister for the Environment Karen Ellemann was introduced to some aspects of the research performed at the NERI research facility in Silkeborg on 26 April.

Research directors Dr Nikolai Friberg and Dr Bo Reimann demonstrated some of the institute's models and presented a proposal for meeting future challenges in the area of freshwater and marine ecology. The issue of NERI's role in the government's Green Growth agreement, a long-term plan defining environment and nature policies and the agriculture industry’s growth conditions, was also discussed. Read the Green Growth agreement here

Academy Councils to participate in May meetings

The annual May meetings between the Rector's Office and the main academic areas are being expanded this year. After the meeting between the Rector's Office and the dean of the main academic area, the Rector's Office will now meet with the Academy Council for the same academic area. The theme for the meetings with the Academy Councils will be a discussion of the Rector's Office's recommendation to the Board regarding the academic development process.

The meetings will take place at the end of May and the beginning of June out of consideration for the schedule for the academic development process.

Large audience drawn by the Festival of Research

The Festival of Research, held on 23 and 24 April at a range of AU locations, attracted many visitors. Despite the cold weather, visitors attended NERI's outdoor events in large numbers, and over 1500 visitors attended events in the Lakeside Lecture Theatres, an increase over last year. Several presentations were so popular that some visitors had to be turned away.

A range of presentations was videotaped, and these will be made available on the AU website next week. More primary and secondary school classes attended the Festival of Research than previously, perhaps thanks to the event's 'Body and culture' theme.

Calendar

• 10 May: University management meeting
• 12 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
• 31 May, 1 and 2 June: May meetings with main academic areas (including Academy Councils)
• 7 June: University management meeting
• 10 June: Main Liaison Committee meeting
• 17 June: University Board meeting
• 17 June: The Vice-Chancellor's summer speech
• 30 June: University management meeting

Kind regards

The Rector's Office

29 April 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.