Dear guests, management, employees and, not least, dear fellow students. A joyous Annual Celebration to you all!
What is it that makes a university?
We are currently looking into 2025. A year that will radically change the education landscape in many ways. We are facing a future of half master's degrees and the removal of the sixth year of SU. Our future as students is currently being put together like a jigsaw puzzle in which all the pieces must fit. But I fear that the well-being of students has not been included as a crucial piece of the puzzle. The focus is often more on economy and efficiency than on what really counts: our well-being.
In SDU's latest Study Environment Survey, 28% of students responded that they experienced intense symptoms of stress during their studies. Around 20% said they felt lonely in their studies. And around 25% were struggling. These figures are worrying, and I fear that they will only increase in the future we are looking into. Because what does it mean for our study environment when everything has to go faster? Has to be more efficient? I imagine it will only lead to more stress, more loneliness and even greater struggles.
So what can we do? What can you do as university management, lecturers and students?
There may not be one simple answer, but I would like to suggest what could be part of the answer. I think the answer lies in the many associations here at SDU. Among the hugely committed students who keep these associations alive. The associations make a huge difference to SDU's study environment, and if they got more support, they could create even more value.
Take the SIF association, for example, which organises study start for new students at TEK. Or the Student Council at Campus Sønderborg, which is fighting for more student accommodation so that no one has to continue living in containers that are just stacked one on top of the other. There is the Climate Garden, where students can share their thoughts on climate anxiety or just hang out and grow vegetables. The students' council at Sports and Health, who bravely fight for better academic counselling for their fellow students. And then there are the 14 volunteer organisers who, a month and a half ago, put together the semester start party in which over 7000 students participated. And that's just to name a few, because there is of course also the long list of other local associations, student councils and party committees that are filled with students who, alongside their studies, dedicate their time and energy to creating a sense of security, togetherness and community for the University's students. Who, alongside their studies, take on various tasks, all with the aim of creating more well-being and better conditions for their fellow students.
I have personally experienced how my involvement in the Students of Southern Denmark association has enriched my time at university. In many ways, it has given me a completely different value and learning experience than the education I have received. It has given me valuable social relationships, friends and a community of people I would otherwise never have met. Professional skills - I have learned things about leadership, project management, conflict management and collaboration that attending lectures could never have given me. It has given me an overall feeling of making a difference and contributing something. Being part of an association has given me a whole new perspective on being a university student.
In many ways, being part of an association gives you a connection to the University and a sense of belonging at SDU. That you have a connection with other students. And it's that connection that makes me really enjoy being a student here at SDU.
So what is it that makes the University of Southern Denmark?
In my eyes, it's these associations and the students behind them.
But I've also experienced how putting so much time and energy into something outside of your studies can lead to additional pressure. How it has meant that I had to extend my master's programme so that I had time to do it all. I was happy to have the opportunity to do this so that I could continue to put energy into creating value through Students of Southern Denmark while also being able to concentrate on my studies.
But with the new SU rules, this will not be possible for future students. And with less time at university, you might not prioritise putting time and energy into something outside of your studies. It is therefore vital that the students who invest time and resources in creating a good study environment get the support they need.
So. To the lecturers here in the room: the next time an organisation asks for two minutes of your lecture time to introduce themselves, say yes.
To the administrative staff: when an association asks if they can share information on ItsLearning or social media, say yes.
To the management: continue to develop and focus on well-being. Support, value and engage students and associations. Continue to dedicate time and resources to the dialogue forum and well-being events. Continue to support initiatives like the student activity support pool that Niclas stood here and talked about last year, which is now a reality. It's initiatives like these that make me proud to be a part of SDU.
And to all of you dedicated students sitting here today, first and foremost, I salute you! Keep engaging with your student environments. Keep creating value. Whether it's on your specific programme or in an association that's open to everyone. It makes a huge difference.
Finally, I hope that when the jigsaw puzzle of the future is finally completed, the piece with engaged students and associations is placed right at the centre of it all.
Thank you for your attention. And have a great Annual University Celebration!