No. 8, 4 March 2008

  Bachelor of Education

The rectorate is pleased that from 2009, the universities will be able to offer degree programmes for teachers. The rectorate is looking forward to continued work on putting these plans into action, and would like to thank all members of staff who have made such great efforts in the preparatory work.

Read the media release (in Danish only).

Elite degree programmes

In a previous newsletter, it was stated that the University of Aarhus has submitted proposals for creating 12 elite degree programmes. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has received a total of 57 proposals, and expects to approve 10 of these before the end of March.

Read the media release from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (in Danish only).

Accreditation

At the meeting of the deans held on 3 March, Pro-rector Nina Smith explained the forthcoming, very extensive work involved in accrediting all university degree programmes. In future, these must be accredited on an ongoing basis every five years. To facilitate and coordinate this work in the individual main academic areas, the Board of Studies is currently working with the main academic areas on drawing up a model for the accreditation process. This will help ensure the quality and efficiency of the work.

Research infrastructure

As a link in the political agreement from November 2006, a national pool was set aside for a research infrastructure. In 2008, the universities can apply for DKK 200 million (about EUR 26.8 million). The deadline for application is 15 May. Proposals regarding the internal application procedure will be discussed at the next meeting of the Research Committee on 12 March.

Read the media release from the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation.

Dialogue forum

The rectorate and a number of deans will take part in the Dialogue Forum on 13–14 March. This is the annual, all-day meeting at which Mr Helge Sander, the Danish Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, discusses with the universities ways in which the political aims are put into practice. The Dialogue Forum corresponds to the annual meeting held in Sorø by the Minister for Education, and is a platform for dialogue between the different participants in the university field.

Kind regards

The Rectorate

4 March 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.