New, joint web system
The central IT department has launched a project with a view to acquiring a new, joint CMS system to create the basis for the development of the content of the Aarhus University homepage. CMS systems are the systems that lie behind homepages, and they are used to edit the content of homepages, among other things. The project has a technical side and a content-related side, the aim being to develop the Aarhus University homepage so it matches the best in the business.

New joint design programme for all of AU
Aarhus University decided as part of its strategy to strengthen profiling activities. As a link in achieving this goal, a new design program has now been developed. The new design program creates a joint visual identity cutting across the nine main academic areas. At the same time, it provides an opportunity for the many faculties, centres and departments to create individual profiles within a joint framework. The new design covers everything from websites and publications to stationery and PowerPoint templates, etc.
Read more about the new design (in Danish only)

New position being advertised: administration manager for international activities
Internationalisation is a central priority in the university’s strategy, the objective being to integrate internationalisation in all the university’s activities. As a result, the position of administration manager for the university’s international activities is now being advertised.
Among other things, the administration manager will be responsible for building up a new, central inter-departmental organisation, a task which will include gathering a number of the existing internationalisation units under a joint management. The international manager will refer to a deputy director in the administration, and will carry out the necessary tasks in close interaction with the rectorate. The position is expected to be filled with effect from 1 February 2009 or as soon as possible thereafter.

New committee for research-based advice to the authorities
At their meeting on 14 November, the circle of deans gave their support to setting up a committee at the university for research-based advice to the authorities. The chair will be the pro-rector for knowledge transfer, and the committee will consist of at least one member from each main academic area. The committee will undertake tasks such as quality assurance and evaluation, freedom of research and freedom of speech, as well as developing the existing research-based advice to the authorities, and building up new areas of business.

New IT organisation at the university
The future IT organisation at Aarhus University will be based on a group IT model. In principle, the rectorate, deans and heads of administration have given their support to this. A process is currently under way to clarify issues such as the appearance of the interface between the central group IT organisation and the main academic areas. The aim is to present a basis for a decision and a more detailed description of the future IT organisation, which the rectorate and circle of deans can use in their decision-making before Christmas.
Read more about the future IT organisation (in Danish only)

September meetings between the main academic areas and the rectorate evaluated
The so-called September meetings – where the rectorate visited the nine main academic areas and discussed strategy and other academic subjects – were evaluated at the meeting of the deans on 3 November 2008. Minutes of each meeting have been drawn up and distributed to the main academic areas. An overview of the interdisciplinary topics has also been prepared, and the rectorate and the circle of deans will focus on this in the forthcoming period.
See the overview (in Danish only)

New strategy for the Faculty of Health Sciences
The strategy for the Faculty of Health Sciences is now available in an updated and more detailed version. This is the faculty’s contribution to complying with the university’s strategy for 2008–2012.
The strategy for the Faculty of Health Sciences is built up around the four core activities in the university’s strategy: research, education, focused talent development, and consultancy and knowledge transfer. A particular point as regards health sciences is that the strategy is also linked to the strategy and aims and objectives for collaboration with the Aarhus University Hospital. A fifth column in the strategy thus describes and gives priority to the interaction within the university hospital and with the rest of the health care system.Read the strategy for the Faculty of Health Sciences f
Read the Strategy for the Faculty og health Sciences (in Danish only) 

First reporting of the strategy and the Development Contract

At the Board seminar held on den 1–2 September, the AU Board discussed the rectorate’s first reporting of the work with following up on the university’s strategy and the Development Contract. On the first day, the rector presented an introductory report of the status, after which there were a number of presentations with examples of implementing the strategy. At its subsequent meeting, the Board discussed the reporting itself and made a note of it. Read the rectorate’s report to the Board (Danish only) and the special presentations (Danish only) from the meeting.

Strategy meetings between the rectorate and the main academic areas

In the course of the coming months, the rectorate will visit the university’s main academic areas. These meetings will include discussions of the strategy work carried out by the main academic areas.The discussions in this round of visits will be based on a brief status report prepared by the main academic areas regarding the strategy work.The first meeting takes place with the Faculty of Social Sciences on 20 August 2008.

Support for Sandbjerg meetings

It is now possible to apply for support to attend meetings held at the Sandbjerg Estate.This support covers accommodation expenses for groups of staff members attending Sandbjerg meetings that are aimed at developing interdisciplinary collaboration regarding the implementation of parts of the university’s strategy.The Sandbjerg meetings must include members of staff from at least two main academic areas, one or more of which are the new main academic areas.

Applications must be endorsed by the applicant’s dean and submitted to the Rector’s Office at fla@adm.au.dk.

New joint library system

A key part of the strategy is developing and implementing joint systems.A specific example of this is the planning of a new joint library system.As early as autumn 2007, the State and University Library and the University of Aarhus agreed that a joint library system should be set up for the university’s libraries and the State and University Library, Aarhus.A decision was made in the strategy to draw up a development plan for the university’s library facilities, and this is where a joint system plays a key role.It will consist of significant strengthening of library collaboration between the two institutions, and facilitate user access to information resources.Up to mid August 2008, the project is in a so-called dialogue-based tender with Fujitsu – the company that supplies the Aleph ^® integrated library system.

Read more about the project here (Danish only).

Survey of study environment at the University of Aarhus

The study environment is one of the high-priority areas in the university’s strategy.In the years ahead, the university wants to further develop an attractive study environment that consistently attracts and maintains the best students.The university recently conducted a study environment survey among 30,000 students. The results show that 84% of the students are satisfied or very satisfied.

Read more about the study environment survey here (in Danish only).

The first dialogue meeting has been held regarding follow-up on the university’s strategy and development contract

On Tuesday 20 May 2008, the Rector’s Office invited members of staff from the main academic areas and departments involved in the joint administration to a dialogue meeting regarding follow-up on the university’s strategy for 2008–2012 and the development contract (UK4). The aim of this follow-up is that the University Board and the Rectorate would like an annual report of how the main academic areas and the joint administration are working towards achieving the goals set out in the university’s strategy and development contract.At this meeting, the Rector’s Office presented the questionnaire that the main academic areas are requested to answer regarding which initiatives have been implemented. There was also a discussion about how the network can be used in future for mutual inspiration regarding the strategy work.

New web site for the change process

Plans are proceeding regarding the administrative change process, and progress can be regularly followed on a new web site (in Danish only). General news regarding the process will be available here, and there will also be news about activities in the individual tracks.In addition to publishing news items, the web site will provide information about organising the process in the individual tracks, as well as background material.

The web site is an implementation of the communication plan for the change process.The first newsletter about the change process will be issued at the end of May.

Plan for follow-up on the university’s strategy and development contract

A plan for the year has now been drawn up for follow-up on the strategy and development contract (UK4). This will ensure that the follow-up is as easy as possible for the main academic areas and the other contributors, and that the result of the follow-up is effectively included as an integrated part of the remaining follow-up work at the university.

The follow-up will take place at two points in time, partly in the form of a midway status with a deadline immediately before the summer holidays, and partly as a follow-up of the year’s activities at the beginning of next year.

Read more about the plan for the year (in Danish only)  here.

Discussion of strategies in the main academic areas

Partial strategies for the main academic areas are currently being presented at the university’s meetings of the deans.At the meeting of the deans held on 31 March 2008, Dean Bodil Due presented the strategy work of the Faculty of Humanities, and on 14 April 2008, both Dean Just Jensen from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Dean Carsten Riis from the Faculty of Theology presented the work on the strategies of these main academic areas.Posters from the deans’ presentations are available (in Danish only)  here.

Steering group for the administrative change process

The rectorate has appointed Director of Administration Niels Højberg (chairman), Dean Bodil Due (Humanities), Head of Finances Kirsten Skjødt, Head of Department Eva Teilmann, Director Per Lindblad Johansen (DPU) and Administration Manager Niels Damgaard (Science) to the group.Also included in the group is Flemming Larsen, Head of the Administrative Change Secretariat.The administrative change process denotes a number of administrative change processes intended to ensure that the different administrative bodies can live up to the strategy’s aim regarding efficient support and service for the university’s core activities.

The steering group’s activities include approving the programme for the individual parts of the process (lines), as well as ensuring coordination between these lines.The steering group must also decide on the overall management and distribution of the resources in the programme.Read more about the administrative change process (in Danish only) here.

New task force for research-based advice to the authorities

In accordance with the aims and objectives of the overall strategy, the University of Aarhus has decided to set up a task force to promote development of its research-based advice to the authorities. Assignments to be undertaken by the task force include drawing up a policy and action plans for contacting relevant specific ministries and making proposals regarding the structure and organisation of future joint efforts in the field of research-based advice to the authorities.

The task force will be appointed by the rector, and each of the university’s main academic areas must recommend suitable participants by 14 April 2008.

Work carried out by the task force is expected to be completed by mid-October 2008.

Hearing of draft: new University of Aarhus strategies for developing countries and China

The rectorate has discussed two presentations for the University of Aarhus strategies for developing countries and China, respectively.These strategy presentations were prepared by two working groups spanning the main academic areas.The rectorate decided to submit both proposals to the main academic areas for hearing. Along with any outcome of the hearings, the strategy presentations will subsequently be included in the work managed by the newly established task force for internationalisation.

Staff meeting about organising 8000C building operations

On Monday 10 March 2008, a meeting for technical staff at the 8000C building area was well attended.The reason for this meeting was a consultant’s report recommending a number of significant changes based on an analysis of the current organisation of the building area and the strategic challenges involved.This analysis was also based on the reorganisation of the budget regarding certain building expenses already carried out for 2008, the change of the faculty secretariats’ reference from the director of administration to the deans as of 1 January 2008, and finally the management decision to completely or partially decentralise the building area financially from 2009.

With a deadline just prior to the summer holidays, a process has now been initiated to clarify the coming changes in more detail.This process includes initiatives such as the appointment of 3 project groups.

New research-based degree programme for teachers at the University of Aarhus by autumn 2009

The research-based degree programme for teachers begins with a three-year Bachelor of Education. Initially, it will be offered in the science subjects as well as languages.The degree programme will be based at the Danish School of Education, University of Aarhus, in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Science, respectively.

Advanced studies will be subsequently developed in two parallel classes – one aimed at primary school and another aimed at upper secondary school.These will lead to a multidisciplinary degree programme for teachers or an upper secondary school degree programme.The effect is greater flexibility and an appeal to new groups of students.

New task force for internationalisation at the University of Aarhus

The University of Aarhus is implementing work on a strategic analysis with a view to being able to launch an ambitious internationalisation strategy and corresponding organisation of the international work by August 2008.

Part of the work involved in the analysis is being done by a task force for the university’s internationalisation strategy, with Rector Lauritz B.Holm-Nielsen as chairman. It also includes an internationalisation working group chaired by Arne Carlsen, Director for International Affairs at the Danish School of Education (DPU).The purpose of the working group is to provide the task force with secretariat assistance on issues such as mapping the strategy and organising work at selected Danish and international universities.

New Climate Secretariat at the University of Aarhus

The new Climate Secretariat will be the pivotal point for coordinating the massive initiative launched by the University of Aarhus regarding climate-related research and teaching – initially up until the Climate Summit in Copenhagen in 2009.

Professor Ellen Margrethe Basse is the day-to-day manager of the secretariat, which also consists of Lise Andreasen, Marianne Vonsild and Jakob Bek-Thomsen. Go to our provisional web site to read more (in Danish only) about the secretariat and the activities that have already been planned: http://www.au.dk/da/klima (Danish version only).

Development Contract signed

The University of Aarhus Development Contract 2008–2010 has now been signed by the Chairman of the Board and the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation.The Development Contract is based on 40 indicators and describes the level of ambition for the University of Aarhus in the coming years. It includes a number of selected fields within research, education, dissemination of knowledge and research-based advice to the authorities.

The first degree programmes in agricultural sciences

A BSc in Agriculture, Food and Environment and an MSc in Agrobiology are among the first two agricultural degree programmes to be offered in September 2008 at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences – which until 1 January 2007 was the sector research institution known as the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences.The new faculty thus accomplishes a major, interesting task when the teaching aspect is now also included in its agricultural research.

Read more about the new degree programmes here.