No. 16, 28 April

Budget better than expected

Overall, the university ended 2008 with a deficit of DKK 16 million. The results are DKK 80 million better than the budgeted deficit, corresponding to a deviation of 1.7% of the total earnings. This positive deviation compared with the budget figures for 2008 is mainly due to our reorganisation of the financial system, changes to the system of overheads, alterations to contract obligations regarding both DJF and ASB, and finally, the fact that it is very difficult to predict earnings based on the student productivity systems (STÅ earnings).

Although Aarhus University ended 2008 better than expected in terms of the accounts, both the Board and the management agree that the deviation is too large in relation to the announced budget. Aarhus University must therefore have a coherent and improved budget system, at the same time as strengthening dialogue between the central and decentral units.

The Festival of Research attracted many families and young people

On Friday 24 April, the Festival of Research was held at the Danish universities for the fifth time. At Aarhus University, arrangements had been made for lectures, experiments, exhibitions and different activities at a number of our locations throughout Denmark. On a lovely sunny afternoon, the event in the University Park in Aarhus attracted approximately 1,000 visitors. These included many families and young people. Aarhus University deliberately focused on making the Festival of Research interesting for the younger generations as well – and we succeeded.

The researchers found that the audiences really got involved, particularly towards the end of the event when there was a discussion of the meaning of life. This led to numerous questions from the audience.

DJF and NERI also reported good attendance by an enthusiastic public, where many of their activities were held outdoors in Viborg, Silkeborg, Roskilde and the Svanninge Bakker hills in Southern Fyn. The Institute of Business and Technology in Herning found it more difficult to attract visitors to their indoors event because of the fine weather.

Two deputy directors commence duties

On Friday 1 May, Søren Trangbæk and Mads Hvitved Grand commence duties in their new positions as Deputy Director for Finances and Buildings, and Deputy Director for Communication, respectively. A period of introduction has been planned for the two deputy directors, including visits to the main academic areas. Louise Gade, the new Deputy Director for Human Resources, begins on 1 June.

University evaluation in English

Aarhus University’s contribution to the university evaluation is now available in both Danish at http://www.au.dk/da/uni/universitetsevaluering2009 and English at http://www.au.dk/en/uni/university_evaluation . Please note that all the hearing responses from the main academic areas are available at the same place. Work is now under way regarding “Degrees of freedom” – the last section of the evaluation. This will be submitted to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation on 25 May, at the same time as being incorporated in the Aarhus University report.

New university school in the field of engineering

The Engineering College of Aarhus and Aarhus University are strengthening their collaboration and now establishing a joint school for graduate engineer degree programmes, the Aarhus School of Engineering (ASE). The background for this initiative is the strong interest for graduate engineer degree programmes in Aarhus and the Danish business community, which requests more and better graduate engineers.

“The school is the provisional culmination of the collaboration gradually built up between the Engineering College and Aarhus University. It represents a full range of graduate engineer degree programmes and an ambition to build up engineering science in Aarhus on an equal footing with the other science strengths,” says Dean Erik Meineche Schmidt, Faculty of Science, Aarhus University.

Read more about this collaboration here

Meeting about forthcoming challenges

The university management is holding a one-day meeting on 29 April at NERI in Kalø. Discussions will be held regarding the aims and challenges for the main academic areas and the Vice-Chancellor’s Office up to the end of 2010, as well as continuing discussions about the administrative change process. The meeting should be regarded in the context of the so-called May meetings, where the Vice-Chancellor’s Office meets with the individual main academic areas to discuss the status of the strategy and development contract.

Kind regards
The Vice-Chancellor’s Office
28 April 2009

The Vice-Chancellor’s Office 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.