Season’s greetings from the Rectorate of SDU
We wish everyone at SDU a Merry Christmas and a cheerful and relaxing holiday season.
Dear all,
Christmas peace will soon descend on all of SDU’s campuses, and we can look back on an eventful year in the history of our University.
In these special times, there is – perhaps more than ever – a need for SDU and the new understandings and innovative solutions that we contribute.
Throughout the year we have seen many impressive results from SDU’s outstanding research and educational environments, results that contribute to making tomorrow better than today.
It is particularly gratifying that already this year – when our new strategy for external research funding was adopted – SDU has succeeded in making significant progress in bringing in external funds. In terms of turnover, SDU’s has increased by approximately 6% compared to 2021. A very respectable result.
Clear direction in a changing world
We are proud that in 2022, SDU prepared a ‘Declaration of Academic Freedom’, which sets a clear direction for the University in a changing world. Thank you for your excellent cooperation in this regard as well.
Internationally, there is great cause for satisfaction. In 2022, SDU moved up to number 303 in the world, based on an average ranking on the four ranking lists we are particularly oriented towards. Likewise, we achieved a very respectable ranking (no. 13) on the UI Green Metric.
However, this year’s successes do not change the fact that the conditions for the University are changing rapidly in these times.
For example, we have just welcomed Christina Egelund as the new Minister of Higher Education and Science – the seventh Minister of Higher Education and Science in just eight years – and a new governmental platform that lays the groundwork for a major educational reform.
A new strategy in 2023
Fortunately, we have the best starting point for building on SDU’s great and ambitious development, not least thanks to Helle Waagepetersen as a visionary Pro-Rector for education at SDU since August 2022 and the extension of Thomas Buchvald Vind’s tenure as a seasoned University Director.
We will begin this work early in the new year, as the Board has asked SDU’s management to draw up a new strategic basis for the University’s work. A new strategy is expected to be ready in mid-2023.
We look forward to an exciting 2023 with you. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Best regards,
Jens Ringsmose, Helle Waagepetersen and Thomas Buchvald Vind