By Kristian Serge Skov-Larsen
ksl@adm.au.dk
“Most of the borders in the world have disappeared. The challenge facing our universities nowadays involves retaining competitiveness in a broad global market for knowledge.”
With these words the vice-chancellor of Aarhus University, Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen, opened a meeting held in the Main Hall next to the tall tower of the State and University Library on 22 March. The idea of the meeting was to debate the process of developing the university’s expertise.
He explained that the goal of this process is to reshuffle the university’s cards and find out where and how Aarhus University can make a greater impact both nationally and internationally. One of the aims is to find out which barriers between researchers, teachers and students at the university can be broken down – and whether the university might need to reduce the number of its faculties and departments.
Input was received both from the floor and from the internet, and the Aarhus University staff had the chance to ask critical questions of nine deans – who were all gathered on the stage for the meeting.
But most of the questions were directed straight at the vice-chancellor himself.
Top-down management until June
Søren Pold from the Department of Information and Media Studies sent an email saying that in general he felt that the development process was being managed from the top down.
Vice-chancellor Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen said that in his opinion the staff had been involved in the process as quickly as possible, and pointed out that the development process would also be continuing after the University Board made a decision about the future structure on 17 June.
“Of course everyone is welcome to provide their input. I think the process involves two main stages: the first stage lasting between now and June, during which a top-down process is inevitable to some extent. And then we have to make our decision – but the way this decision is implemented will be bottom-up,” said the vice-chancellor.
