A Christmas greeting from the Dean

Dear Staff

Christmas is coming, and soon we we will all have time off to spend with our families. Most of you will probably have a traditional Christmas with traditional Christmas food, presents and all that goes with it. And very soon we will be ringing in the New Year of 2018.

I believe that we as a Faculty can look back on the year that has passed with pride. We are continuing to do well in the competition for prestigious Danish and international research grants. We are able to attract talented young researchers and see them blossom at the Faculty. We have had the courage to sharpen the entry requirements for applicants to our study programmes - even though it means we have admitted slightly fewer students. And we are visible as never before on the communication front - not least thanks to KvanteKarina.

So, as Dean, I prepare to face the year 2018 with pride and confidence - in spite of the financial challenges resulting from the Government's continuing cutbacks to education. The Faculty's foundation is solid: top class research and education, and good and competent employees throughout. That's why I know we will be prepared to meet any challenges that may come.

Personally, I will be spending a slightly less traditional Christmas in Melbourne, Australia, where I have been on a research stay since the end of November. We will be celebrating Christmas with my Australian colleagues, and it will be interesting to eat Christmas food, sing Christmas songs and dance round the Christmas tree in temperatures of over 20 degrees. We definitely won't be having a white Christmas here, but I can live with that...

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

Martin Zachariasen, Dean