News from the senior management team no. 26/2015

Schedule ready for Aarhus University WPA

Aarhus University will be conducting a physical workplace assessment (WPA) this autumn. It will be followed by a psychological WPA at the beginning of 2016.

During the week beginning 14 September (week 38), all employees will receive an email with an electronic questionnaire with questions about their physical work environment, the so-called physical workplace assessment (WPA). The assessment will be conducted simultaneously at all locations to ensure that all significant issues relating to the work environment at Aarhus University are identified – allowing for both local and joint follow-ups on the results.

Just before the summer holidays, the Main Occupational Health and Safety Committee and the Main Liaison Committee held a meeting about the psychological WPA, which will be conducted a few months later in early 2016. At the meeting, it was decided that the employees themselves will be involved in deciding the questions for the psychological WPA. Consultations about the questionnaire will be held at all faculties and in the administration in the week beginning 26 October (week 44).

Read more about the physical and psychological WPAs in the announcement from AU HR or on the following websites:


Doubling of quota 2 admissions to medical programme from 2016

The faculty management team at Health has decided to improve the chances of quota 2 applicants being admitted to the degree programme in medicine. The reason is that quota 2 applicants do extremely well on the programme, and so top marks in the qualifying examinations are not necessarily the best and only predictor of success on the programme and in the profession..


Excellent chance to highlight AU’s activities and contribution to society

AU will be represented at Denmark’s Political Festival on Bornholm again next year. The senior management team is keen to capitalise on the positive experience from participating in this year’s event, which was a great success characterised by constructive and varied debates, a large number of network meetings and almost 6,000 visitors.

“Denmark’s Political Festival is, above all, a strong platform that effectively combines politics with broad public appeal. For a university like AU, it is not only a chance to strengthen our ties with our Danish partners and gain a voice in the political debate – it is also an opportunity to showcase how the university contributes to developing our society. We should make the most of opportunities like this,” says Pro-rector Berit Eika.

A recently established steering committee chaired by Berit Eika will soon start planning for next year’s festival, and will contact the faculty management teams with a view to coordinating efforts in 2016. The idea is that the faculties will be given an even greater say in determining the academic content of the programme and activities in collaboration with external partners, for example the City of Aarhus. Other potential partners are the Danish University Extension and Universities Denmark.

Again in 2016, the research vessel AURORA will combine a research expedition with participation at the festival on Bornholm, providing a backdrop for AU’s activities.

Denmark's Political Festival 2016 will take place on 16-19 June.


Annual celebration – registration deadline

In connection with the annual celebration, all employees were invited to register for the ceremony in the Main Hall in the afternoon and also at the evening event at Concert Hall Aarhus. The registration deadline was Friday 21 August.

The allocation of seats in the Main Hall in the afternoon and in the main auditorium at Concert Hall Aarhus in the evening will be decided by a draw conducted by KongresKompagniet.

Everyone who has registered will be informed of the results of the draw during the week beginning 31 August (week 36). Seats for both events will be allocated according to the number of employees at the four faculties and in the administration, so everyone has an equal chance of a getting a ticket.

The ceremony in the Main Hall takes place at 13:30-16:00, and the entertainment at Concert Hall Aarhus starts at 20:00 (doors open at 19:15). Afterwards, all guests are invited to snacks and wine in the foyer.


Reduced prices at Sandbjerg

To make it more attractive for Aarhus University staff to use the Sandbjerg Estate course centre, prices for 24-hour stays have been reduced by 25 per cent. However, to ensure the financial health of the Sandbjerg Estate, Aarhus University is increasing its annual funding for the establishment by DKK 1.5 million. The new prices took effect on 1 June.

The Sandbjerg Estate was originally bequeathed to Aarhus University by Ellen Dahl, the sister of Karen Blixen. She had owned the estate with her husband, the Copenhagen-based barrister Knud Dahl. Following his death, Ellen Dahl opened Sandbjerg Estate to cultural personalities and scientists. When she died in 1959, the university assumed full control of the property.


Calendar

 

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/2015.