Sensible budget proposal

It is still too early to draw any conclusions from the Danish budget proposal for 2010, but the Government is maintaining its focus on research in spite of the negative GDP growth. The aim is to stick to the investment rate of approximately DKK 2 billion in 2010, DKK 1 billion of which is proposed to be used for a technological boost to the laboratory area. A total of DKK 6 billion has been put aside for renovating the universities’ laboratories over the next three years. DKK 3 billion comes from the universities’ rent contributions and DKK 3 billion from the globalisation pool. The allocation among the six universities with educational laboratories (University of Copenhagen, Technical University of Denmark, Aalborg University, University of Southern Denmark, Roskilde University and Aarhus University) is based on a report drawn up by the Danish University and Property Agency and the COWI consulting group. Aarhus University’s share for renovating the laboratories is expected to amount to DKK 1.4 billion.

The remaining DKK 1 billion comes from the globalisation pool plus DKK 184 million from the so-called UMTS reserve, and this DKK 1 billion has not yet been allocated. The organisation known as Universities Denmark is making efforts to have these funds used for increasing the percentage of basic research funds for the universities.

Finally, the Government is preparing the ground for an increase in the low taximeter subsidies for the humanities and social sciences.

Read more about the budget proposal (in Danish only) at http://www.fm.dk/Temaer/Finanslovforslag%202010.aspx

Annual celebration – room for all

The deadline for signing up for the university’s annual celebration on 11 September has now expired, and enrolments this year have once more been overwhelming. It is therefore very pleasing that we have managed to accommodate all of the approximately 2,200 members of staff and guests who have signed up for the evening event at the Concert Hall Aarhus. 1,000 staff members including escorts have enrolled and they will receive their admission tickets for the evening event no later than the week beginning Monday 31 August. The remaining approximately 1,200 people are external guests, jubilarians, the management, union representatives and employees connected with the event in one way or another.

The Main Hall is also fully booked for the afternoon ceremony, which will be attended by 450 people.

The Vice-Chancellor’s Office would like to wish everyone a happy celebration.

Aarhus University in the Aarhus Festival

For the first time ever, Aarhus University and the Danish University Extension in Aarhus are presenting lectures and panel discussions during the Aarhus Festival this year. The event will take place in the attractive Aarhus City Hall, where special lighting has been arranged to mark the occasion, and coffee tables will be set up to add to the festive atmosphere.

You can hear lectures entitled Our restless planet and its sounds and The birth, life and death of the stars, or take part in the University Extension’s three panel discussions called Ask the University Extension about love, Ask the University Extension about women and Ask the University Extension about happiness.

These events start at 19.00 and the admission tickets cost DKK 50 and DKK 100, respectively, per event including coffee and biscuits during the intermission, and coffee and snacks after the lectures.

Read more (in Danish only) at http://science.au.dk/foredrag

Kind regards
The Vice-Chancellor’s Office
25 August 2009

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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 .