No. 9, 3 March

Take part in the debate

This week, Aarhus University has launched a digital brainstorm that will hopefully provide the rectorate with considerable input for the forthcoming work involved in writing the university’s evaluation. We have chosen to extend the discussion to include more than the usual management channels because it is very important to hear what staff and students have to say about subjects such as co-management, the free academic debate, freedom of research, and degrees of freedom. These are important and fundamental concepts for a university, and we must naturally uphold them. However, we also need to discuss and develop them in connection with the very great challenges imposed on the universities by society today.

The rectorate has a clear ambition to create an all-inclusive university, where students, staff, research and education all prosper, while expanding knowledge transfer with society at large. In this connection, both the study environment and the work environment are important factors in terms of attracting and holding on to students and staff from Denmark and abroad.

So take part in the debate, so that we get a good number of useful, constructive proposals for the further work involved in creating a good university environment. Along with focus group interviews with students and staff and the many local approaches from the main academic areas, your input will form the basis for our contribution to the university’s evaluation, as well as ongoing discussion at Aarhus University, which we would like to continue throughout the rest of the year.
www.digitalbrainstorm.au.dk (in Danish only)

Full house for Beyond Kyoto

More than 1,000 people have enrolled to attend the Beyond Kyoto climate conference. This means it will be full house when Gro Harlem Brundtland and others open the conference on Thursday. Research Professor Jørgen E. Olesen, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, will now be included among the key speakers at the opening in the Concert Hall Aarhus. US Secretary of Energy Steven Chu was forced to withdraw because of political commitments at home.

Beyond Kyoto will conclude by gathering the discussion between researchers, politicians, business leaders and environmentalists in seven recommendations to the future climate discussions and negotiations. These seven recommendations will be forwarded to the Danish Government as a presentation for COP15 Copenhagen 2009, the UN Climate Change Conference in December – and thereby target the debate regarding a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.

Read more about the conference here

First committee meeting about research-based advice to the authorities

As previously announced, Aarhus University has now appointed a broadly composed internal committee to draw up proposals regarding how the university should deal with research-based advice to the authorities. The committee held its first meeting on Monday 2 March and agreed on a framework for further work, including expectations. The committee will discuss contract terms and conditions, incentive structures, quality assurance, freedom of research and freedom of speech. The committee’s main discussions are expected to be summed up in a publication that can be used in future-oriented contexts in the work involved in further developing and strengthening research-based advice to the authorities at Aarhus University.

Many applications for the deputy director positions

The notices for the three new deputy director positions at Aarhus University have experienced a considerable number of applicants.

A total of 13 applications were received for the position of deputy director for finances and buildings, 39 for the position of deputy director for HR, and 41 for the position of deputy director for communication. Søren E. Frandsen, Pro-rector for Strategic Affairs, and Jørgen Jørgensen, the newly appointed Director of Administration, will now go through the applications in collaboration with Mercuri Urval.

In connection with the appointment of the three candidates, the rectorate has requested a number of staff to join the three discussion committees. These discussions are expected to be finalised by the end of March with recommendations regarding appointments by 1 May at the latest.

Kind regards
The Rectorate
3 March 2009

The rectorate publishes Rectorate News 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 Rectorate News, please go to http://info.au.dk/medarbbreve/index.asp?sprog=en. The English version of Rectorate News is published every Wednesday and is available at http://www.au.dk/en/uni/rectorate/newsletter.

You can read previous editions of Rectorate News at http://www.au.dk/en/uni/rectorate/newsletter/2009 .