Status on the implementation of SDU’s new strategy

Almost a year ago, SDU’s new strategy was approved by the Board. And how is the implementation of the "Value, quality, people" strategy going?

We spoke to Rector Jens Ringsmose about this, and his brief answer is:

- The new strategy is actually going quite well.

But there is also a slightly longer and more nuanced answer:

- As you know, SDU’s new strategy is a framework strategy which in brief prioritises value creation through excellence and the highest international quality. Excellence and highest international quality are created by talented people and outstanding environments. At the same time, it is a strategy that depends on initiatives being taken both centrally and locally at faculties and departments, and I really appreciate how seriously people work with the strategy across the University, says Jens Ringsmose, elaborating:

- I’m pleased that I often meet employees who say they want to launch initiatives – and who have suggestions and ideas for new initiatives – because this contributes to the strategy. And many things are already happening that align with our strategic ambitions and can help move SDU in the direction set out in our new strategy. And I’m also pleased that so many people I encounter tell me that the strategy is meaningful. In my opinion, that is absolutely crucial.

It’s motivating when we succeed

In this context, he mentions the new funding strategy, the introduction of a grade 7 requirement for all SDU’s degree programmes, and the new internationalisation project which will contribute to SDU recruiting talented international students to SDU.

These are all examples of sub-strategies and initiatives that accelerate the University’s movement towards the strategic objectives that SDU creates value for and with society through high quality, talented people and outstanding environments.

- And of course it’s even more motivating that we’re already succeeding in moving toward our goals. For example, last year we increased external research funding by 25 per cent which means that we’ve secured DKK 1 billion for conducting more and even better research. That is an incredible feat which demonstrates the impressive strength of our research environments. In the same way, our latest figures on the University’s academic impact (the so-called Field Weighted Citation Impact, ed.) places SDU at an impressive 3rd place among Danish universities, says Jens Ringsmose.

A powerful strategy

In light of that, he is pleased with the inclusive strategy process that preceded the adoption of the new strategy in 2023. It is the interaction between employees, students and management that has resulted in a strong strategy for SDU in the future, he emphasises.

- I would like to once again thank the many people who have contributed to SDU’s strategy, making sure that it has clear priorities, sets a clear direction for the University and motivates the people who populate SDU. It is crucial that both employees and managers at the University know where we as management want to take SDU in the coming years and, not least, that the strategy motivates employees and managers to launch initiatives that support this movement.

Running a marathon

He also emphasises that working with the new strategy is a long and tough haul that can best be compared to running a marathon. That’s why it’s not about starting with a sprint, but about finding a suitable pace towards 2030.

- With the new strategy, we have started to adjust the course of a supertanker, and it may take years before many of the changes really take effect. That’s also why it’s important that the implementation is done gradually and with patience through initiatives adapted to the changes that will happen along the way, such as the graduate reform this autumn, says Jens Ringsmose and mentions recruitment initiatives, lifelong learning, innovation and spinouts as strategic initiatives that will be implemented in the future.

Read more about the new strategy