Invitation to innovate

A few years ago, I had a good discussion with SDU colleagues about innovation at SDU. In a lively exchange of views, one valued colleague said that they were actually a bit tired of all the talk about an innovation university, as a university should focus on research and not other things.

I see the point they were making. Without research, no university. But a university in a Danish context also serves other purposes and considerations: providing research-based education to students and delivering value to society more generally.

Legislation on innovation at universities

Innovation will become a more prominent part of the work of Danish universities in the future. In the autumn of 2025, a task force led by the Rector of the University of Copenhagen delivered recommendations to strengthen the universities’ capacity for innovation. The recommendations were politically sanctioned in a broad settlement on January 26 2026. Currently, a bill is in consultation, and it will be passed by the Danish Parliament in the spring of 2026.

At the heart of the bill is a clear expectation: Innovation should no longer be a side activity, but an explicit part of the purpose of the universities. The aim is to create a better framework for researchers to translate ideas into value – for example through new businesses, software, design or technological breakthroughs. The bill clarifies that in the future universities must support research-based innovation as an integral part of their mission.

It will be simpler and easier for businesses and entrepreneurs to collaborate with universities. Fewer legal barriers will mean that the path from idea to action is easier and smoother – and incentives for partnerships between universities and businesses must be strengthened. This will allow stronger innovation environments on university campuses, better opportunities to house companies on campus and enable universities to gain ownership of research parks.

The important role of universities in society

But isn’t this just the same old story? My colleague would probably claim that the notion of translating research into commercial products and services is by no means a new one. Back in 2003, the then Minister of Science, Helge Sander, was preoccupied with ‘From research to invoice’. Although a few university environments may have supported this slogan, it was generally not appreciated in the university sector.

A lot has happened since then. The research foundations of the universities have been significantly strengthened by the increase in state research funding as a result of the Globalisation Agreement (2006) and following that by a rapid growth in external research funding from foundations. Danish universities have a strong position in terms of research, compared to 20 years ago.

Mario Draghi’s report on European competitiveness (2024) has increased political awareness in the European Commission and in European countries of the need for Europe to become better at innovating and scaling ideas into products and services for the benefit of society. If Europe is to have a stronger position in the world, knowledge must be translated more quickly into action – and universities are a key player in this process. At the same time, this amounts to an important recognition of the important role of universities in society.

Invitation to innovate

In relation to the reinforced desire for the innovation capacity of universities, we have a choice between two positions. Either we sit back with the attitude: ‘We’ve heard that before – this, too, shall pass’. Or we lean forward and say, ‘These sound like exciting new possibilities – let’s explore them’. Personally, I’m in favour of the second position. When the universities are called upon to help, of course we must answer the call. Society needs universities that not only produce knowledge but also help that knowledge to circulate.

For me, an innovation university is created not only by legislative texts and new instruments. It is also created through culture. If innovation is to be part of SDU, we must think and act innovatively – across the entire institution. We must be willing to experiment, challenge routines and create simpler, more flexible processes. Innovation rarely occurs in linear processes. Often it takes quick decisions, cross-cutting teams and the courage to try something never tried before.

As an example, I am working with administrative managers at the faculties and in the Central Administration to eliminate ‘trouble, doubts and detours’. The focus is on making the administrative part of working life easier for researchers, lecturers, students, managers and partners. We are in the process of abolishing rules that do not create value. These can be rules which lead to doubling up on administration and multiple levels of management approvals. We have already decided to abolish at least ten rules during Q1 2026. The ambition is to abolish or reduce 60 rules this year – as a special gift to SDU on the occasion of its 60th anniversary.

Let us accept the invitation to innovate and work together to strengthen SDU as an innovation university in all aspects of the University’s activities.