Last week, a majority in the Danish parliament agreed on six adjustments to the study progress reform. Pro-rector Berit Eika says that some of the changes are positive, but that challenges still exist as the overall financial framework remains the same. Consequently, she proposes that a cross-university discussion now be initiated at Aarhus University on how to respond to the changes when the new rules take effect, which will probably be in autumn 2016.
From Monday 23 November, staff and students can cast their votes in the 2015 university elections. The election will take place online, and the digital ballot boxes will be closed after four days on 26 November at 16:00.
This year, all staff and students are eligible to vote for members of the University Board. Two academic staff representatives, one technical and administrative staff representative and two student representatives will be elected to the board.
In addition, employees at the faculties must elect new members to the academic councils. PhD students will elect new members to the PhD committees, and in addition to electing two representatives to the University Board, students can also vote for the members of the boards of studies and the academic councils.
How to vote:
Questions about the elections:
On Tuesday 24 November, the new Centre for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) officially opens at Aarhus BSS with an all-day conference in the Main Hall for 250 participants. The centre conducts research into the development and growth of SMEs, as well as the their legal and financial framework conditions.
In connection with the conference, the ‘Growth model’ will be presented, which is the result of close cooperation between, among others, a number of SMEs and researchers at AU. The centre’s activities also include a course for board members which focuses on SMEs.
On the recommendation of a unanimous appointment committee, Peter Munk Christiansen has been appointed head of the Department of Political Science. He is currently a professor and PhD programme committee chairman at the department and chair of the Danish Council for Independent Research. Moreover, he has been acting head of the department since 1 July 2015.
Peter Munk Christiansen takes over as department head from Thomas Pallesen, who is now dean at Aarhus BSS.
One hundred years ago, the first engineering degree programme opened its doors in Aarhus. To mark the centenary, celebrations at the Navitas building at the Port of Aarhus on 20 November recognised the significant contributions made by engineers in the past 100 years. The celebrations also honoured the important role payed by three generations of graduates from the engineering college in driving the technological advances which have come to shape our daily lives today.
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/2015.