I’m only as good as my students

2012.12.18 — Research funding should focus on research projects that are unique to Denmark says professor Peter Ogilby. Meet the professor who some people think is even more Danish than the Danes themselves.

What I wish I knew before coming to Denmark

2012.12.18 — n January 2013 341 new international students will be arriving at Aarhus University. But the city, their degree programmes and the Danes will all be new to them. So to help them feel more at home here, UNIvers has asked a couple of international students to give the newcomers a few tips: what to do in the city, life at the university, and what the Danes are really like behind their occasionally reserved exterior.

New church door inspired by AU astronomers

2012.12.18 — The artist Dorte Dahlin has created a new door for the Klosterkirken church in Aalborg with an entirely original interpretation of the star over Bethlehem. And she was inspired by the AU astronomers Hans Kjeldsen and Jørgen Christensen-Dalsgaard during the process.“No fewer than three times in the year 7 BC, Jupiter and Saturn were so close to each other in the sky that people might easily have perceived them as an enormous new star,” explains Hans Kjeldsen.

Danish Christmas hearts: a pretty tricky business!

2012.12.06 — The University International Club gave lessons in one of the trickiest of all Danish Christmas traditions: how to weave a Christmas heart. On 5 December the hearts will be hung on the tree at the annual international Christmas tree party.

Exchange students promoting Aarhus

2012.12.06 — Aarhus is a fantastic place to study – a message that is worth passing on to new students as well as the students of the future. A group of international AU students have a great idea about how to brand the city – and their project has just won a competition.

Christmas Eve for students

2012.12.06 — Each year there are more and more international students in Aarhus, and many of them find it impossible to get home for Christmas.

Danish spiritual icon to inspire Chinese Christians

2012.11.20 — Wen Ge from China is fascinated by the Danish church reformer and educator N.F.S. Grundtvig, who he has been studying for almost two years at Aarhus University.

China and Denmark meet for dinner

2012.11.20 — Apple from China has established a strong friendship with the Sømod family. And the Danish family has learned a lot about China, as well as learning how to eat with chopsticks.

What do the Danes actually eat?

2012.11.20 — AU and Studenterhus Aarhus are repeating the successful "Internationalize with us" programme, which matches Danish families with international postdocs and PhD scholars.

New AU medium is now a reality

2012.10.30 — Aarhus University’s senior management team supports the working groups and has agreed to a new newspaper with extra resources and the appointment of an editorial committee. The successor to UNIvers now needs to find an editor-in-chief and a journalist.

Living cables explain enigmatic electric currents

2012.10.30 — The enigma of electric currents in the sea bed has been solved. Scientists at Aarhus University have sensationally discovered bacteria that function as living electric cables. Each one of the centimetre-long "cable bacteria" contains a bundle of insulated wires leading an electric current from one end to the other.

NO EXPLOSIVES FOUND AFTER BOMB THREAT AT CAMPUS FUGLESANGS ALLÉ

2012.10.30 — Aarhus University received a letter on friday morning containing a bomb threat against Campus Fuglesangs Allé. The area was searched by the police and nothing suspicious was found.

A successful Brazilian in Aarhus

2012.10.08 — Brazilian Studies is becoming a popular subject, and Aarhus University has increased its collaboration with Brazilian universities. One of the people behind the success story is Vinicius Mariano de Carvalho, who used literature and music to get closer to Denmark.

The lost graduation

2012.10.08 — David Vranicar from the USA is a former student of AU, and also used to be the international student writer for UNIvers. He has now written a book about what it’s like to be a graduate in a time of crisis and to travel half-way round the world in search of a steady job.

Life at sea and a guided tour of Skejby Hospital with the UIC

2012.10.08 — In the weeks ahead the University International Club is offering a range of events for international staff and their spouses.

We all need some knowledge of Darwin

2012.09.25 — Tobias Wang, the recipient of Aarhus University’s Research Communication Award for 2012, loves sharing his knowledge with other people – including everything from the blood pressure of giraffes to the digestive system of snakes.

A visit to the front line in the IT trenches

2012.09.25 — Who’s in the front line when the university has IT problems? The staff of the AU IT helpdesk, who offer service facilities to both staff and students. UNIvers has visited three students to see the faces behind the voices you hear on the phone when you call for help. It turned out to be what they regarded as a surprisingly quiet Friday afternoon.

A highly practical approach

2012.09.25 — Students of digital design at AU learn all about theory by carrying out practical assignments. Associate professor Lone Koefoed Hansen has been presented with the Aarhus University Anniversary Fund’s Pedagogical Award of Honour for 2012.

A joint AU communication channel in a new format and with journalistic edge

2012.07.06 — The working groups have now prepared their recommendation for what should replace UNIvers. Both the employees and the students still want a joint communication channel which reflects AU’s diversity and supports a sense of community across the organisation. At the same time, the groups suggest that the new media should focus on more in-depth journalism.

Debate on Nordic-African cooperation

2012.06.26 — How can universities in Southern Africa and the Nordic countries give each other more help? This was the topic under discussion when 80 researchers and university staff met at the SANORD symposium 2012 in Aarhus. Associate professor Jens Seeberg, who has been one of the driving forces behind the symposium, tells us more about the potential of this partnership.

Indignant Spanish fighting for democracy on Facebook

2012.06.26 — Facebook and Twitter can be used for much more than simply updating your status and keeping people informed of what you’re doing. In Spain, hundreds of thousands of indignant Spanish students and citizens are using the social media to strengthen their protests against the system.

Denmark needs to think more about brain gain

2012.06.05 — According to Professor Poul Nissen, Denmark makes life far too difficult for researchers who want to start their career at a Danish University. He believes the Danish taxation regulations are at loggerheads with the rationale for giving young researchers tax-free fellowships.

Lands of Opportunity

2012.06.05 — International students are leaving their home countries in search of better opportunities in Aarhus, Denmark and in Northern Europe.

End-of-Semester gathering

2012.06.05 — The International Centre at AU and the Student House invites all international AU students, mentors, tutors and international coordinators to an End-of-Semester gathering!

EU Presidency less prestigious than it used to be

2012.05.15 — The Presidency of the EU has lost some of its status since the Lisbon Treaty. It now tends to involve keeping good order at meetings rather than generating extra kudos for the country in the driving seat. This may affect the commitment of member states.

Spring excursions

2012.05.15 — Aarhus is one of the greenest cities in Denmark, a place where you only have to walk or cycle a few hundred metres to get to the nearest woods, beaches and cycle tracks. Here is a brief UNIvers guide to help you find the quickest way to get out into the spring countryside that surrounds Aarhus on all sides.

Departmental relocations at ARTS and BSS

2012.05.15 — Some of the libraries, institutes and administrative departments at ARTS and BSS have already been relocated, while others are still waiting to move or are busy packing.

Give researchers more money and greater freedom

2012.04.25 — Excellence 2012 sent a clear signal to the politicians of Europe: research and education are the way to solve the current crisis in Denmark.

Ready, set, sail … and drink!

2012.04.25 — The biggest event organised by students in Scandinavia takes place in the University Park on 3 May, and this is one that international students at AU should definitely

Student Music Awards: the final!

2012.04.25 — On 26 April the winners of this year’s Student Music Awards will be announced at a major competition to be held at Stakladen.