No. 13, 31 March

Reassessment of proposal regarding research indicators

The rectorate is pleased to note that the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has decided to rethink the proposal regarding bibliometric research indicators. The aim of the ranking list covering approximately 20,000 scientific journals was to measure the universities’ publication activity and use the results as a parameter for distributing some of the basic funds. Last week, the rectorate and Universities Denmark informed the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation that there is a lack of credibility regarding the choice and distribution of the bibliometric research indicators, and that there is therefore a need to carry out a new process with a view to building up reliable research publication indicators.

Your experience with the new design

Aarhus University’s new design line has now been in use for a few months, so it is natural to evaluate the way it works in practice. The aesthetics of the new visual identity, for which 1508 – the strategic design agency – won a Creative Circle Silver Award, should go hand in hand with functionality. However, if the functionality is not up to scratch in certain instances, something must be done about it.

AU staff members are therefore encouraged to tell us about their experience with problems, and suggest ways of improving the situation. You can do this until 15 August by sending an e-mail to design@au.dk.
We will subsequently assess what changes are required.

frAU gets good ideas and experience from abroad

In May, the frAU network (Female Researchers at AU) is responsible for a conference that will gather international experience by attracting women to research positions and retaining them in research careers. The balance between day-to-day life and work, networking, and coaching and mentor schemes are some of the topics that will be discussed at the conference.

The good ideas and experience will be published in a catalogue that politicians and university managements can refer to for inspiration.

WOMEN IN ACADEMIA – BARRIERS AND GOOD PRACTICE takes place at Aarhus University on 18 and 19 May.

Read more and enrol at www.wia.au.dk

University venture in China taking shape

The collaboration between Aarhus University and China regarding the major international university in Beijing is making rapid progress.

On Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 March 2009, Professor Ole Fejerskov from AU met a Chinese delegation to plan more details in areas including biomedical research, nanoscience, sustainable energy and water resources.

From integration to inclusion

Young people with a non-Danish ethnic background must be just as involved in education as young Danes. This was one of the main messages when Aarhus University – in collaboration with the Municipality of Aarhus – held a conference last week on integration in the education system. The aim is to make room for accommodating the young people with a non-Danish ethnic background – to go from integration to inclusion. The conclusions and presentations from the conference are available (in Danish only) at www.95-50.dk, where you can also enrol in working groups that now cut across the educational institutions in Aarhus and are continuing work on this topic.

Conference on types of examination

The Study Committee at Aarhus University is behind a conference that focuses on the development of new types of examination. The aim is to provide the individual boards of studies with an opportunity to take a critical look at whether the types of examination currently used are up to date. The target group for the conference includes heads of departments, directors of studies, boards of studies, administrative staff for degree programmes, student organisations and others interested in the quality assurance of the types of examination. The conference takes place on Tuesday 14 April.

See the coverage (in Danish only) here

Reception for new Director of Administration

On 1 April, Jørgen Jørgensen takes up his appointment as Director of Administration at Aarhus University. A reception will be held on 27 April at 12.00–13.30 in the Museum of Ancient Art. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Kind regards
The Rectorate
24 March 2009

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 Danish version of the newsletter at http://info.au.dk/medarbbreve, after which you will receive an e-mail whenever the newsletter is issued.

If you would like to subscribe to the English version of Rectorate News, please go to http://info.au.dk/medarbbreve/index.asp?sprog=en. The English version of Rectorate News is published every Wednesday and is available at http://www.au.dk/en/uni/rectorate/newsletter.

You can read previous editions of Rectorate News at http://www.au.dk/en/uni/rectorate/newsletter/2009 .