Invitation to Aarhus University's annual celebration

Invitations to the evening festivities held in connection with the Aarhus University annual celebration have been sent out. The theme for this year’s evening festivities is 'The Beatles'. Major contemporary musicians will perform their interpretations of Beatles numbers at the event.

The evening festivities are always popular; tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

In addition to the evening festivities for AU staff, there will be a ceremony in the Main Hall with speeches by the chair of the Aarhus University Board and the rector along with a plenary lecture and the presentation of prizes and honorary degrees. The ceremony in the Main Hall will be streamed on the internet.  Last but not least, the annual celebration will end with a big party for students in the University Park.

More information about the annual celebration (in Danish only) here

6,000 new BA students

On 30 July, Aarhus University had the great pleasure of offering admission to 6,300 applicants. This represents an increase of 13 per cent over 2009. Around 6,000 applicants have already decided to enrol, while a few hundred have either declined or have still not replied. With the second round of admissions, the university expects to admit more than 6,000 new BA students for the first time ever.

The marked increase in applicants is not least due to an increase in applications to degree programmes with the capacity to accommodate a greater number of students.

Aarhus University's position regarding further increases in student enrolment, an issue which has been debated in the press this summer, is clear: we will admit the greatest possible number of students, but we refuse to compromise on the quality of our study programmes and study environment, and we will continue to emphasise the societal relevance of the degree programmes on offer. Increasing capacity requires thorough preparation, not least with regard to teaching and classrooms. Aarhus University looks forward to discussing the possibilities for increasing capacity to accommodate the growing number of young people who want a university education with the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation.    

Building maintenance and heritage preservation 

Aarhus University does not accept the recent sharp critique of the maintenance and renovation being carried out on the 8000 C campus. 

After more than eighty years of daily use by thousands of students and staff members and the continual addition of new buildings in harmony with existing structures, Aarhus University is still considered a Danish architectural icon. This attests to the university's careful stewardship of its buildings and grounds, which has been exercised primarily in collaboration with the architectural firm of C.F. Møller A/S. All maintenance and new construction has been carried out in accordance with the district plan of 1993, which was designed to preserve existing structures and grounds, including the controversial replacement of windows in the Pressens Uddannelsescenter building in Vennelysparken which the university has taken over. 

Nonetheless, vocal proponents of a more restrictive form of preservation are working to have Aarhus University listed by the Heritage Agency of Denmark. The owners of listed buildings must obtain the permission of the Heritage Agency for any changes, including all repairs and restoration. Aarhus University opposes these ideas. We have nothing against the intentions behind listing buildings; our concern is the comprehensive, detailed and time-consuming application process involved in making changes to listed buildings.  

Aarhus University is a vital, competitive institution today not least because the university has had the freedom to develop as a living entity with the campus in central Aarhus at its heart. The 8000 C campus is world-renowned. But Aarhus University is not just an object worthy of preservation; it is an important institution of higher education and research responsible for helping to ensure the advance of knowledge in Denmark.

We are certainly willing to discuss the district plan of 1993; we respect and honour the interest in the university's buildings and grounds demonstrated by the participants in this debate.  Without a doubt, there is room for improvement and modernisation of the district plan. The university is willing to engage in an open and unprejudiced debate on these issues.

Press release 3 August 2010 Respektfuld udvikling af Universitetsparken (‘Respectful development of the University Park’, in Danish only)

Aarhus University ranked no. 55 in the world

Aarhus University is ranked at no. 55 on the University of Leiden's list of the world's leading universities. The University of Copenhagen is ranked no. 54. According to the Leiden Ranking, the two largest Danish universities are thus the leading universities in Scandinavia. A total of forty North American universities figure in the top 50, which is topped by MIT, Stanford and Caltech. The Leiden Ranking is based on objective bibliometric indicators. This method of analysis favours universities with strengths in the health sciences, technology and natural sciences, fields which tend to produce more international research results with a higher publication and citation rate.  

Calendar

• 16 - 20 August: Minister for Climate and Energy Lykke Friis to visit Zackenberg Research Station in Northeast Greenland
• 16 August: Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Henrik Høegh to visit the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
• 23 August: Application deadline for the four new dean positions
• 1 September: Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Charlotte Sahl-Madsen to visit AU
• 10 September: The Aarhus University annual celebration

Kind regards
The Rector's Office
13 August 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.