High research impact at Aarhus University

Aarhus University has just received an analysis from the Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) – the renowned bibliometric centre in Leiden, the Netherlands. The analysis shows that the impact of scientific articles written by authors at Aarhus University is very high. The university publishes a considerable amount, and our publications are cited significantly more than the world average. Assessed in relation to both the volume and citation frequency of its research, Aarhus University has reached the position of number 90 among the 400 most research-heavy universities in the world.

The Leiden report only includes scientific articles and has the greatest degree of general coverage in science and health science fields, while the survey is less comprehensive within the fields of social science and the humanities. The report is based on information from the period 2002–2007 and is an extremely good tool for benchmarking Aarhus University’s publication activity. The Leiden report has now been distributed to the main academic areas, which are responsible for the further processing and communication of its contents.

NERI gives notice of dismissing six members of staff

Unfortunately, the National Environmental Research Institute (NERI) has had to give notice of laying off six members of staff in Silkeborg and Kalø. The employees concerned have been given notice by their manager, and the departmental staff have been informed. The lay-offs are the result of changes to the development of NERI’s income profile, after which there was a noticeable reduction in the extent of consultancy tasks, and thereby the finances of the areas concerned.

Prior to announcing the lay-offs, options for relocating the employees within the institution were investigated. NERI will naturally now provide the six affected employees with support in making progress and finding new jobs. This applies to both assistance from the HR department and offers of external consultancy.

In connection with the process, NERI has made the following available on its intranet (in Danish only) here

Globalisation Council superseded by new Growth Forum

Along with 26 others from different sectors, Vice-Chancellor Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen has accepted the challenge of being included in a new Growth Forum, which will advise the Government, analyse and respond to the challenging tasks of tomorrow, and prepare the Danish economy for renewed growth. At the same time, the Government is closing down the Globalisation Council, which was appointed in 2005 by Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Prime Minister at that time.

The Government’s Growth Forum is composed of individuals who personally represent that which the Prime Minister calls the thoughts of tomorrow, and – in addition to the 27 representatives – consists of Minister for Economic and Business Affairs Lene Espersen, Minister of Finance Claus Hjort Frederiksen, Minister for Foreign Affairs Per Stig Møller and Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen as Chair.

Presentation of Erik A. Frandsen’s artworks on 25 September

Everyone who would like to see the new artworks by the Danish artist Erik A. Frandsen at Aarhus University, building 1430, Nordre Ringgade 1, 8000 Aarhus C, is welcome to attend on Friday 25 September at 14.00–15.30. The official opening takes place earlier the same day.

The Vice-Chancellor’s Office would like to offer refreshments and hopes that many members of staff will take this opportunity to see the interesting works specially produced for building 1430. The modes of expression cover a wide scope, including paintings, mosaics, a relief and a wall in mirror-polished steel with engraved floral motifs. Erik A. Frandsen has also completed a portrait of Nobel Laureate Jens Christian Skou, supported by the Aarhus University Anniversary Foundation. The portrait makes up part of the overall decoration as an integrated element. Erik A. Frandsen’s decoration of building 1430 was made possible by a donation from the New Carlsberg Foundation.

Read a previous media release (in Danish only) about Erik A. Frandsen’s works at Aarhus University here

Student Fair takes off

The traditional Student Fair opened in the Main Hall and the Ambulatory on Monday, and will continue until Wednesday with a wide range of offers for new students. The event was opened by Mayor Nicolai Wammen and Vice-Chancellor Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen, who were both pleased that – with a record intake of more than 6,000 new students enrolled in Bachelor’s degrees – Aarhus University makes a significant contribution to the city’s aim of being Denmark’s leading university city. This year, the fair can offer exhibitions, samples, competitions, memberships and much more, with the participation of more than 50 companies, associations, organisations and institutions. The fair is organised by the Student Council, which thus contributes to giving both new and “old” students the best possible start to the new term.

Calendar

• 21–22 September: Board seminar for the University Board and the university management at Sandbjerg
• 23–24 September: Seminar for administration managers and joint administration circle of leaders at Sandbjerg
• 25 September at 14.00–15.30: Presentation of Erik A. Frandsen’s artworks. Building 1430, Nordre Ringgade 1, 8000 Aarhus C
• 21–22 October: Management seminar for university management, administration managers and joint administration circle of leaders at Sandbjerg

Kind regards
The Vice-Chancellor’s Office
9 September 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 .