In 2014, we had to tackle the organisational, financial and administrative problems at AU. This was a long and very taxing process, and it has made considerable demands on the entire organisation.
What is important now is that the new changes are introduced in the right way and properly implemented in close collaboration with the employees.
In our view, Aarhus University will be better geared for future challenges when the new organisational changes are fully implemented in the new year. A future without significant financial growth, but with a focus on quality in research, education and administration.
Thank you for your collaboration and your considerable efforts in 2014. We hope that you will all enjoy a well-deserved holiday together with your family and friends.
At its meeting on 16 December, the University Board approved forecast 3 for 2014 and the budget for 2015. Forecast 3 shows an expected budget deficit in 2014 of DKK 58 million, which is DKK 2 million better than budgeted.
The budget for the 2015-18 period shows a balanced result of operations. Thus, the university's finances are back on track – and the plan which was decided in connection with the cutbacks is being followed. The entire organisation is focusing intently on tight financial management, with managers throughout AU demonstrating a high degree of responsibility in the administration of their budgets.
Aarhus University is inviting staff and partners to a brunch to welcome Jane Kraglund as its new university director.
The reception is being held on 9 January at 8:30 -10:00 in the foyer of building 1441. The registration deadline is 6 January.
Jane Kraglund takes up her position as university director on 1 January 2015.
Arts will continue to be organised in the same three large departments, with sections being the organisational points of focus. The faculty management team's decision is aimed at ensuring greater decentralisation and more flexibility, and the freedom to find solutions to specific local problems.
The faculty management team's proposals for changes to the departmental structure were recently announced.
The recommendation for the future departmental structure at BSS is based on thorough analyses and the extensive involvement of students and employees, who hold very different views on how the current Department of Business Administration (BADM) and the Department of Economics and Business (ECON) should be organised. The faculty management team has therefore decided to conduct a ballot among BADM and ECON staff to find out which solution they prefer of the two different solutions presented by the faculty management team as part of its overall recommendation regarding the faculty's departmental structure in relation to the two departments.
Before Christmas, the Danish Council for Independent Research (DFF) awarded grants under the Sapere Aude programme, Step 1 for research talents. The recipients included seven researchers from AU:
With a total grant this year of almost DKK 19 million, the Danish Council for Independent Research (DFF) awarded the Sapere Aude: DFF-Research Talent grant to 40 young researchers from all over Denmark.
Assistant Professor in molecular biology Bjørn Panyella Pedersen is receiving one of the initial 11 ERC Starting Grants which the European Research Council granted last week to young Danish researchers.
An ERC Starting Grant totals up to EUR 1.5 million and is given for a period of up to five years. In mid-January, the ERC will announce more recipients of its Starting Grants.
This coming semester, current and retired employees as well as alumni are again eligible to take courses free of charge at the Danish University Extension. The free places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration opens on Wednesday 12 January. For more information, please see the newsletter, which will be published in the first week of 2015.
Aarhus University's former rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen has been appointed chairman of Den Danske Naturfond (the Danish nature foundation.)
On Friday 19 December, a broad majority in the Danish Parliament adopted the legal framework for the foundation, which has been allocated DKK 875 million kroner for initiatives to improve nature and the Danish countryside.
The foundation was established by the state in cooperation with the Villum Foundation and the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation.
The next newsletter from the senior management team will be published in Danish on Friday 9 January.
Kind regards The Senior Management Team
The Senior Management Team publishes a newsletter every week. 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 Senior Management Team, please go to http://info.au.dk/medarbbreve/index.asp?sprog=en. The English version of News from the Senior Management Team is available at http://www.au.dk/en/about/uni/seniormanagement/newsletter/. You can read previous editions of News from the Senior Management Team at
http://www.au.dk/en/about/uni/seniormanagement/newsletter/2014.