No. 24, 5 August 2008

Welcome back from your holidays

The rectorate hopes that all members of staff have had a good summer and have gathered your energy for work in the coming term.

Science researchers from the University of Aarhus among the European elite

The European Research Council (ERC) has just published the list of its first award of the extremely prestigious Advanced Grants for research. Professor Flemming Besenbacher, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO) and Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Professor Ib Madsen, Department of Mathematical Sciences, are the only Danish scientists to be awarded these research grants. The rectorate would like to convey our heartiest congratulations. Read the media release

Quality conference

On 21 August, the University of Aarhus is holding an in-house quality conference at which discussions include a presentation of a policy for quality work in the area of education. This subject will be discussed at the meeting of the deans on 11 August and the Board seminar on 1–2 September. Read more about the conference (in Danish only) at http://www.au.dk/uddkvalitet/strategi/konference

KOT (Coordinated Enrolment System)

As usual, enrolment figures for higher education – especially the universities – have been a topical issue in the media during the crazy summer season. The University of Aarhus also has vacancies, and an urgent request to potential students to apply for these vacant places is available (in Danish only) at http://www.au.dk/da/optag

The rectorate has initiated an analysis of the figures compared with previous years and other universities, etc. Many of the degree programmes at the University of Aarhus traditionally ask new students why they selected their particular degree at this university. In the months ahead, all this information will hopefully provide an overview of the pattern of application, etc., which can be useful in our future-oriented efforts.

Agreement with Central Denmark EU Office

Since 2005, the University of Aarhus has had an agreement about being able to draw on the Brussels office of the Municipality of Aarhus. Following the structural reform of the Danish counties, this office is now run by an association and covers the entire Mid Jutland Region. Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen is a member of the Board. The rectorate has decided to continue this agreement, even expanding the form. Collaboration between the Central Denmark EU Office and the University of Aarhus takes place with the Research Support Office at Aarhus Hospital as the contact point. Read more about the Central Denmark EU Office at http://www.centraldenmark.eu

Rectorate’s office at the Danish School of Education (DPU)

As of 1 September, the rectorate will have an office at DPU in Emdrup, which will be used in connection with the rectorate’s meetings and other activities in the capital area.

Kind regards
The rectorate
5 August 2008

The rectorate publishes Rectorate News every Tuesday – apart from holidays and public holidays. This newsletter includes a brief description of current activities and discussions. You can sign up for the newsletter at http://info.au.dk/medarbbreve, after which you will receive an e-mail whenever Rectorate News is issued.

The English version of Rectorate News is available every Wednesday at http://www.au.dk/en/uni/rectorate/newsletter.