No. 14, 7 April

Prospect of more taximeter subsidies

The Danish universities’ taximeter system is currently in focus – especially the educational consequences of the low subsidies for the humanities and social science degree programmes. For some considerable time, Aarhus University has been drawing attention to the problems associated with the very low taximeter subsidies, and the major study environment survey from 2007 clearly showed that there is a correlation between student satisfaction and the taximeter level for the degree programmes.

During the course of the last 10–15 years, the taximeter subsidies for university degree programmes have gradually been eroded to the extent that the amount allocated to the humanities and social sciences (DKK 41,600 per year of full-time study in 2009) represents some of the lowest education rates compared with the rest of the entire Danish education system. And at a time in which the universities are measured in terms of completed education and also have to intensify student counselling, the arguments regarding economics of scale at the university no longer apply.

It is positive that the Danish Government and the Opposition have already declared that increasing the taximeter subsidies for these degree programmes is necessary. This announcement is supported by both the Confederation of Danish Industry and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. However, it is crucial that raising the level of the low taximeter subsidies does not take place at the expense of the current grant to the universities. The rectorate therefore endorses the idea of acquiring more taximeter funds from the globalisation funds.

Read more (in Danish only) here

New deputy directors in place

The appointment of the three new deputy directors fell into place last week. Alderman Louise Gade has been appointed Deputy Director of Human Resources, corporate finance manager Søren Trangbæk is to be Deputy Director of Finance and Buildings, and journalist Mads Hvitved Grand is to be Deputy Director of Communication. Both Søren Trangbæk and Mads Hvitved Grand take up their appointments on 1 May, while Louise Gade begins on 1 June.

The three new deputy directors will report to the rectorate, whose members are looking forward to working with the new members of staff.

Read more here

Five new elite modules

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has just approved a new type of elite module for the Danish universities. Five of the 20 elite modules went to Aarhus University, one of which is in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen. This concerns flexible six-monthly elite programmes in which the students complete several high-level subjects in close contact with the university’s research environments. The aim is to be able to attract more numbers of skilled students from abroad.

Read more (in Danish only) here

Come to the Festival of Research

On Friday 24 April 2009, Aarhus University is holding the Festival of Research, and everyone is welcome to attend. The focus this year is on “life”, with a considerable number of lectures and events in the lecture theatres, including Charles Darwin – the man and the myths . In addition, you can go down to the microbiology laboratory and study microorganisms, hear about supernatural thoughts, and much more. The whole programme is available (in Danish only) at www.au.dk/forskningensdoegn, where you can also read about the events at Aarhus University’s other departments around Denmark in connection with the Festival of Research.

Modernised guesthouse and new canteen at Aarhus University
The guesthouse on the corner of Otto Rudsgade and Willemoesgade has been modernised, and the canteen renovated. The opening hours here are somewhat restricted compared with the large university canteens. The one at Trøjborg is open between 11.15 and 12.45. The rustic canteen venue can also be used for functions, meetings and parties. The canteen has its first opening day on Wednesday 15 April.

There will be no newsletter from the rectorate next week because of Easter.

Happy Easter!

Kind regards
The Rectorate
7 April 2009

The rectorate publishes News from the Vice-Chancellor's Office 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 News from the Vice-Chancellor's Office, please go to http://info.au.dk/medarbbreve/index.asp?sprog=en. The English version of News from the Vice-Chancellor's Office is published every Wednesday and is available at http://www.au.dk/en/uni/rectorate/newsletter.

You can read previous editions of News from the Vice-Chancellor's Office at http://www.au.dk/en/uni/rectorate/newsletter/2009.