RECTOR HOLM-NIELSEN'S CHRISTMAS SPEECH

1. RECTOR HOLM-NIELSEN'S CHRISTMAS SPEECH THE MAIN HALL - 15 DECEMBER 2011

2. RECTOR HOLM-NIELSEN'S CHRISTMAS SPEECH CURRENT STATUS, THE 2012 BUDGET AND AU'S FINANCES STATUS OF ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROCESS INITIATIVES OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN 2012

3. ASTRONG POSITION TO BUILD ON

4. AU IN KEY FIGURES STUDENTS STAFF Buildings FINANCES

5. BUDGET2012 • AU is affected by the general economic recession, and we anticipate weak short-term growth despite increases in student admissions, exams passed and external research funding. • However, AU predicts long-term growth as a result of the Barcelona target and Horizon 2020 (EU's 8th framework programme). Therefore, we will continue to develop our permanent research staff. • Aarhus University's finances are sound • Turnover for 2012 is DKK 6,005 million (excl. IHA) • Liquidity at the beginning of 2012: >DKK 1.5 billion • Confirmed external grants at the beginning of 2012: >DKK 3.7 billion • Projected equity at the beginning of 2012: DKK 591 million • Operating surplus: DKK 27 million in 2009, DKK 98 million in 2010, and DKK 51 million in 2011 (projected) • The implementation of the academic development process will take time. The operating surpluses of previous years will be invested in new initiatives in the period 2012-2017 - DKK 50 million in 2012 and DKK 20 million in subsequent years

6. SOLIDEQUITYPROVIDESSTABILITYINTIMES OF CHANGE

7. RECTOR HOLM-NIELSEN'S CHRISTMAS SPEECH CURRENT STATUS, THE 2012 BUDGET AND AU'S FINANCES STATUS OF ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROCESS INITIATIVES OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN 2012

8. SIGNIFICANTSTAFF INFLUENCE AND STRONG LEADERSHIP AU Board AU forums Advisory boards AU Management Employer panels Academic councils Departmental forums Advisory committees

9. IMPROVING THE STUDY ENVIRONMENT • Seventy projects have received funding as a consequence of the 2011 study environment survey • A total of DKK 8 million • Support for innovative project which will benefit all AU students in the long run

10. AU IDEAS: VISIONARY AND ORIGINAL IDEAS APPLICATION PROCESS COMPLETE • 254 applications • Evaluation process concluded • 45 applicants to receive a total of DKK 78.4 million (original grant: DKK 50 million) EVALUATION COMMITTEE Morten Kyndrup (chair) Helle Vandkilde (AR) Jørgen Frøkiær (HE) Flemming Besenbacher (ST) Karl Anker Jørgensen (ST) Torben M. Andersen (BSS)

11. AU IDEAS:EXAMPLES OF VISIONARY IDEAS

12. AUINTERDISCIPLINARYCENTRES CONTRIBUTION TO RESOLVING "GRAND CHALLENGES" • AU's strategy combines interdisciplinary research with strong core disciplines • The process is headed by Dean Brian Bech Nielsen and the vice-deans for research CENTRES UNDER INTERNATIONAL PEER REVIEW • Centre for iSequencing (Anders Børglum, HE) • Neurocampus (Anders Nykjær, HE) • Centre for Integrated Register-based Research (Preben Bo Mortensen, BSS) • Centre for Arctic Research (Søren Rysgaard, ST) OPEN PROCESS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL iCENTRES • Two of the original proposals (Centre for Food, Nutrition and Health and Centre for Global Change and Development) are still under consideration • Thirteen additional proposals received by 1 October deadline • Three of these have been selected to advance to the next round

13. AARHUS INSTITUTE OF ADVANCEDSTUDIES (AIAS) APPROVED CONCEPT • The institute will offer optimal conditions for interdisciplinary research across a wide range of fields • Fellowships of 1-3 years, primarily for younger researchers • Close links between AU research programmes and AIAS fellows • Physical surroundings which support a dynamic research environment THE NEXT STEP • Interim board under appointment • Selection of AIAS head ad interim • Recruitment of fellows and members of international advisory group AU DEVELOPMENT GROUP Morten Kyndrup (chair) Helle Vandkilde (AR) Dorte M. Søndergaard (AR) Jørgen Frøkiær (HE) Vibeke Hjortdal (HE) Flemming Besenbacher (ST) Bo Barker Jørgensen (ST) Erik Jeppesen (ST) Karl Anker Jørgensen (ST) Dorthe Berntsen (BSS) Torben M. Andersen (BSS)

14. RECTOR HOLM-NIELSEN'S CHRISTMAS SPEECH CURRENT STATUS, THE 2012 BUDGET AND AU'S FINANCES STATUS OF ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROCESS INITIATIVES OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN 2012

15. MERGERWITH THE ENGINEERING COLLEGE OF AARHUS (IHA) • Broad political support for merger - effective 1 January 2012. • The merger will strengthen engineering research and degree programmes in Denmark. • A unique construction, both in terms of competencies and educational opportunities - the first engineering college of its kind in Denmark • Compliments AU's academic strengths and strengthens AU's contacts with society • Science and Technology will develop the engineering sciences and integrate IHA's practically oriented diploma engineer degree programmes and AU's degree programmes in civil engineering.

16. AU'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE DANISH EU PRESIDENCY LECTURE SERIES: • Five debate meetings at AU are scheduled in April, May and June 2012 in connection with the informal meetings of the Council of Ministers. The debates will be open to the general public. THE GREAT DEBATE • 1-3 June 2012 at AU • Aimed at students, journalists, NGOs, etc. INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES 2012 • 19-21 June 2012 in Aarhus • Aimed at politicians, industry and research managers ACTIVE AU RESEARCHERS • A large number of AU researchers will participate in EU Presidency events outside Aarhus

17. AU'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE DANISH EU PRESIDENCY EXCELLENCE 2012 (18-20 April at AU) • Official part of the programme for the Danish EU Presidency • A partnership among AU, the Ministry of Education, the Danish National Research Foundation, the Lundbeck Foundation and Universities Denmark • Exploration of the concept of excellence and input to EU's Horizon 2020 framework programme • Drafting of the Aarhus Excellence Declaration

18. STAFF REPRESENTATIVES ONTHE AU BOARD NEW STAFF REPRESENTATIVES: RETIRING STAFF REPRESENTATIVES: Associate Professor Erik Strange Petersen (2008-2012) Head of Department Secretariat Kirsten Jakobsen (2004-2012) Senior Researcher Martin Tang Sørensen (2008-2012) Associate Professor Peter Bugge (2012-) Laboratory Technician Bertha P. Beck Mortensen (2012-) Professor Susanne Bødker (2012-)

19. MAJORCHANGESTAKEDEDICATED EMPLOYEES • The most comprehensive reorganisation in the university's history continues. The changes we are experiencing are a strain on our organisation, and many employees feel uncertain and insecure. Working conditions in many parts of AU are still difficult, and the situation will continue to demand patience for some time yet, which is normal for processes of this kind • Fortunately, there is strong support for the goals we have set. The management appreciates the great effort by all employees at a time, when things are far from perfect. I promise on behalf of the senior management team to take all of your problems seriously and work to find robust, sustainable solutions • In a sense, we all have personnelresponsibility for oneanother. In Bente Levisen(Health), who has just beennamed Danish personnel manager of the year, we have an excellent role model. I hopethat her goodexamplewill serve as an inspiration to us all. • The senior management team would like to thank the university's staff members, the academic councils and liaison committees - all of the thousands of people involved in the process - for their fantastic hard work and dedication

20. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK - AND A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS RECTOR LAURITZ B. HOLM-NIELSEN