Jakob Grauslund ready for his next chapter as Dean

When Jakob Grauslund took up his position as Dean on 1 June, he did so in a slightly unusual way.

Instead of a traditional handover from one Dean to the next, he had a three-month overlap with Ole Skøtt, who continued as Dean until the end of August.

The period was designed to ensure a thorough handover. Among other things, Jakob Grauslund has visited the faculty's departments and other areas while also drawing on Ole Skøtt's knowledge and experience from 18 years at the helm of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

– I have been in the slightly unusual and very privileged position of not having to take over as Dean from Ole Skøtt from one day to the next. We have had a three-month overlap, which has allowed me to gradually find my feet in the role, while Ole has very generously shared his knowledge, experience and perspectives with me, says Jakob Grauslund.

On Monday 31 August, the transition was marked with an internal welcome event at the Faculty of Health Sciences. Staff from the faculty administration, heads of department and staff from the departmental secretarial offices gathered for breakfast and speeches.

Among the speakers were Jakob's closest colleagues in the Dean's office, Uffe Holmskov and Merete Munk.

Jakob Grauslund used the occasion both to reflect on his first three months and to look ahead to what comes next:

– Yesterday, one chapter in the history of the Faculty of Health Sciences came to an end. Today, a new one begins. Not by starting from scratch, but by building on everything we have already achieved – while also having the courage to explore new paths.

Three months with eyes and ears open

One of Jakob Grauslund's key priorities during his first few months has been to get out of the Dean's office and spend time across the faculty.

He has visited departments and other areas to meet staff in their own academic environments and hear about both what is working well and what presents challenges.

According to the new Dean, you cannot get to know a faculty through organisational charts, strategy papers and Excel spreadsheets alone.

– You have to get out there and meet people. See the different environments. Hear about what works. And, not least, hear about the challenges.

The visits have given him greater insight into the organisation, its academic environments and the many priorities across the Faculty of Health Sciences. At the same time, they have confirmed his belief in the strength of the faculty's research, degree programmes and innovation – and in the people who make it all work.

The first round of visits has now been completed. But Jakob Grauslund has already announced another:

– Now I have visited you. I'll be back soon, and then I'll begin to set out my vision for the Faculty of Health Sciences and discuss with you how we can turn it into reality.

The Faculty of Health Sciences must be more than the sum of its parts

In the coming period, Jakob Grauslund will present his priorities for his first year as Dean.

On Monday, he already gave a glimpse of one ambition that will be a recurring theme: the Faculty of Health Sciences should become even more united as a faculty.

This does not mean that departments and other areas should give up their academic identities. On the contrary, their strong academic environments must be preserved. At the same time, however, Jakob Grauslund sees considerable potential in collaborating more across the faculty, sharing more and making better use of each other's expertise.

– The Faculty of Health Sciences is not the Dean's office. It is not the faculty administration. Nor is it nine departments sitting alongside one another. The Faculty of Health Sciences is all of us.

The ambition is for the faculty's nearly 5,000 students and around 2,000 staff to work together to create a Faculty of Health Sciences that is stronger internally, more attractive externally and a leader in research, education and innovation.

– This isn't something the Dean can simply decide. It's something we have to create together.

A strong foundation – and new paths

Jakob Grauslund is taking over a faculty that has had Ole Skøtt at the helm for 18 years.

In his speech, he thanked his predecessor both for his many years as Dean and for the handover over the past few months. According to Jakob Grauslund, Ole Skøtt has generously shared his extensive knowledge and experience while also giving his successor room to find his own way.

– He has opened doors, explained how things fit together and shared both his knowledge and his perspectives – while at the same time being very conscious that there is now a new Dean who also needs room to find his own way. That has been both generous and professional.

Jakob Grauslund will carry one central vision forward with him: the Faculty of Health Sciences exists to improve people's health.

Earlier this year, Ole Skøtt described this as the faculty's long-term vision, and Jakob Grauslund intends to build on it.

– Ultimately, that's exactly why we're here: to improve people's health. That must continue to be our guiding principle.

But a guiding principle points us in the right direction – it does not necessarily tell us exactly how to get there.

Jakob Grauslund therefore hopes that the coming years will be a shared journey in which the faculty has the courage to explore new opportunities. New ways of collaborating and educating students, even better conditions for research and innovation, and new technologies and partnerships are among the areas he wants the Faculty of Health Sciences to explore.

– I'm really looking forward to the task ahead. I'm looking forward to coming back to visit you. And most of all, I'm looking forward to us taking the next step for the Faculty of Health Sciences together.

Monday's welcome event was not just about speeches. Those attending also sang Septembers himmel er så blå.

It was perhaps rather fitting on the eve of 1 September, as the three-month overlap comes to an end and a new chapter for the Faculty of Health Sciences truly begins.