Major reform of Aarhus University initiated

On Thursday 17 June, the University Board voted unanimously to adopt the recommendation on the academic development process submitted by the Rector's Office.

As a consequence of this decision, the process of readying Aarhus University to meet future challenges will continue until 1 January 2012, when all changes have come into effect and the process is formally concluded.

As of 1 January 2011, Aarhus University will be organised into four new main academic areas:

• Aarhus Faculty of Arts
• Aarhus Faculty of Science and Technology
• Aarhus Faculty of Health Sciences
• Aarhus School of Business and Social Sciences

The university has thus taken the first steps towards a simpler and more flexible structure which will provide an appropriate framework for realising the academic synergies made possible by the mergers of 2006 and 2007.

A comprehensive analysis aimed at developing the internal structure of the new main academic areas is the next stage of the process will begin in August. The analyses will be performed by a number of broad-based working groups charged with ensuring that the academic and administrative organisation of the new main academic areas provide optimal support for the university's continued development in the areas of research, education and knowledge transfer.

• Read a summary of the recommendation to the University Board
• Read Rector Holm-Nielsen’s summer speech slides
• Read press release

Reactions to the rector's summer speech

The English staff webpage Atrium is an important source of insight into the new vision for Aarhus University's development.

You'll find both a full-length recording of Rector Holm-Nielsen's speech and reactions to the decision of the University Board on the webpage.

The Danish version of Atrium also includes debate contributions, and all staff members are encouraged to share their perspectives and visions for the university's future development by participating in the online discussion forum.

More material will be added to the English page as the development process continues.

• Read more at http://medarbejdere.au.dk/en/

The Danish University sector in figures

Universities Denmark has just published the key figures for the Danish university sector in 2009.  The statistics reveal that Danish universities have become better at attracting private funding.

• Read more at http://dkuni.dk/english/

Calendar

• 30 June: University management meeting
• 12 August: University management meeting
• 30 August: University management meeting

Kind regards
The Rector's Office
18 June 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.