Follow-up on the analysis of the Study Administration – new Deputy Director of Studies

On 6 February 2023, the Rectorate published Carve’s report on the analysis of SDU’s Study Administration and the Rectorate’s assessment of the report’s recommendations. The report and the Rectorate’s assessment are available at sdunet.dk.

The Rectorate finds that the report provides the first-ever overall organisational perspective on SDU’s study administrative tasks and points to the need to reorganise a number of study administrative tasks at SDU in the coming years.

In spring 2023, the organisation had the opportunity to discuss the analysis and the Rectorate’s assessment thereof. The discussions have reflected that the organisation recognises the need to look at how the University’s Study Administration is organised today and that a changed focus on the organisation of the Administration can unleash potential. At the same time, the discussions highlight the importance of not drawing any superficial conclusions about the administrative task performance and distribution across the University’s organisation and locations.

In June 2023, SDU’s Board of Directors adopted a new strategy for SDU with a number of changed ambitions and objectives for the University, including in the education area. 

Based on the analysis of the Study Administration, the organisation’s discussions of the analysis and SDU’s new strategy, the Rectorate has decided to launch a transformation of the University’s Study Administration in the coming years.

The Rectorate believes that the administrative management in the education area will play a crucial role in implementing the educational ambitions and objectives laid out in SDU’s strategy and in adapting the University’s Study Administration to meet its new needs.

The Rectorate believes that the managerial tasks are extensive, complex and long-term.               

Consequently, the Rectorate has decided to create a new position as Deputy Director of Studies, who will be responsible for the study administrative tasks in the Central Administration. The Deputy Director is set to play a crucial role in the further implementation of the transformation of the Study Administration at SDU and will thus help shape the study administrative organisation going forward.

The Deputy Director will serve as Head of Division and be responsible for Student Services in the Central Administration and will report to the Pro-Rector.

In September, the Rectorate will advertise the position, after which a recruitment process will be carried out. The new Deputy Director is expected to start on 1 January 2024.

The management of Student Services

As the new position as Deputy Director of Studies differs significantly from the current position as Director of Studies at SDU, Annette Lund has by mutual agreement with SDU resigned from her position as Director of Studies and thus left SDU as of 20 August 2023.

- Annette Lund has served as Director of Studies at SDU since 2016 and headed Student Services in the Central Administration. With her great insight and interest in the field of education, Annette Lund has contributed to the development and operation of the University’s quality assurance system, admissions and student counselling and support. The Rectorate would like to thank Annette for her great commitment and efforts at SDU, says University Director Thomas Buchvald Vind.

The University Director has decided to temporarily appoint Stinne Hørup Hansen, currently Head of Division for Strategy & Recruitment, SDU Student Services, as Director of Studies at SDU and Head of Division of Student Services for the period 21 August 2023 to 31 December 2023, until a new Deputy Director of Studies takes office on 1 January 2024.