News from the Vice-Chancellor’s Office
No. 36, 22 October

Distinguished Einstein Professorship to Flemming Besenbacher

Professor Flemming Besenbacher, Aarhus University, is the first Dane to be appointed Einstein Professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing. Professor Besenbacher is Director of the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Centre (iNANO), and has previously received a number of major distinctions for his ground-breaking research.

Since 2005, this Chinese distinction has been awarded to 10–15 international researchers annually, including many former Nobel Laureates. The award aims to strengthen collaboration between Chinese research institutions and top international researchers.

This a very impressive recognition of Professor Besenbacher and his research, and a strategically important appointment as regards the close collaboration Professor Besenbacher and his group are currently establishing in China.

Expansion process launched

At its meeting on 22 September, the University Board approved a process plan for extending the total building stock at Aarhus University. The plan means that the Board is to discuss the strategy for building expansion at its meeting in December 2009, and to approve an implementation plan for the forthcoming construction at its meeting in June 2010.

The main academic areas and the joint university functions have now informed the Vice-Chancellor’s Office of their overall requests and plans regarding the laboratory renewal, and will submit a more detailed account by 25 November. This includes their expectations regarding area requirements based on projections of the number of students, grants and planned placement of activities in the years ahead.

See also the publication Visionsplan 2008-2028 for den fysiske udbygning i Århus (in Danish only) at www.au.dk/da/visionsplan

Calendar

• 21–22 October: Management seminar at Sandbjerg
• 9 November: Board meeting
• 16 November: University management meeting
• 7 December: University management meeting
• 17 December: Board meeting
• 18 December: Vice-Chancellor’s Christmas speech in the Lakeside Lecture Theatres

Kind regards
The Vice-Chancellor’s Office
22 October 2009

The Vice-Chancellor’s Office publishes News from the Vice-Chancellor’s Office every week – 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.
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You can read previous editions of News from the Vice-Chancellor’s Office at http://www.au.dk/en/uni/rectorate/newsletter/2009 .