Study start, celebration and community
Never before have so many chosen to study at our faculty. The size and the vibrance of our study start makes this obvious.
Dear staff
The corridors are alive again - and on Monday, I had the pleasure of welcoming 547 new BA students to our faculty.
Once again, it was necessary to divide the students into two groups, as none of SDU's auditoriums are large enough to accommodate them all at once.
The students are always a little quiet when I welcome them, but you can sense that they are looking forward to starting at the university and a new study programme.
Mayor Peter Rahbæk Juel gives them an introduction to Odense City, and he's always good at setting the scene and welcoming them to the city.During the week there have been various events for the students and on Saturday the Science Rally is organised. The study start is new this year, but I'm hearing very positive feedback - and I'm quite impressed by the relevant and fun events organised around the departments.
This indicates a good onboarding of the new students.
Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with staff across the faculty a few times.
I participated (walking) in the DHL Relay on a beautiful summer evening where there was a buzz of activity in the air. I had the opportunity to talk to a postdoc from India and hear about his career and path to SDU.
I also got to talk to our coordinating project economist and many others. It was both cosy and interesting - and I got a few new ideas to take home.
After the walk, it was time to socialise with all the other participants, and bonds of various kinds were formed across subject areas and job categories.
On Friday last week, we had the opportunity to gather to celebrate this year's award recipients and remind each other that the faculty is doing rather well.
There is a lot going well despite the hustle and bustle and many changes. It was so nice to feel the great support for the award winners, who have done really well in their respective areas.
Afterwards, there was plenty of opportunity to chat with each other - or play a variety of fun games. Many thanks to everyone who came and even more thanks to the organisers who looked after us all.
We fully expect to repeat the success next year.
Now we have an exciting autumn awaiting with 547 new bachelor's students and 610 new master's students.
Never before have young people had so many study programmes to choose from. And they have chosen us.
I hope everyone will welcome them and help give them a good start. We have a lot to offer the students here at SDU Science.
They and their competences are much needed in the world.
Marianne Holmer, dean