New research-based courses promise to boost professional development
A new independent course provider located at Aarhus University will offer flexible courses based on the latest research. The demand for courses is high across sectors.
Director being recruited
In collaboration with AU, the AUFF is currently looking for a director to lead the new course initiative.
The director will be tasked with designing a broad and future-oriented range of courses to meet the needs of professionals in the public and private sectors.
By 1 May, the AUFF hopes to have appointed a director who has the right commercial attitude to secure the new company a strong position on the continuing education market, and who also understands how to make it easy and attractive for AU’s researchers to bring their academic expertise and network into play.
See the job advertisement (in Danish only). The application deadline is 18 February.
Soon it will be easier for professionals in the public and private sectors to access flexible continuing education courses at university level. In close collaboration with Aarhus University, the Aarhus University Research Foundation is launching a new course initiative, which will utilise the university’s academic strengths and outstanding lecturers to offer a wide range of short courses on topics such as digitalisation, technology, sustainability, the green transition and management.
The rector of Aarhus University, Brian Bech Nielsen, praises the ambition as being both broad and specialised.
“Challenges evolve quickly – as does the knowledge we require to solve them. On a highly skilled labour market, it’s vital that employees continue to develop throughout their entire professional lives. Our researchers can help realise this ambition – for the benefit of the individual employee, the competitiveness of the company, and society in general,” says Rector Brian Bech Nielsen on the university’s commitment to the new project.
On a highly skilled labour market, it’s vital that employees continue to develop throughout their entire professional lives.
Rector Brian Bech Nielsen
The demand for a dynamic range of courses is high. This can be seen at the Department of Computer Science, where Head of Department Kaj Grønbæk recognises a great untapped potential.
“We often receive enquiries from companies and public institutions looking to expand their knowledge and take courses on relevant topics such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, cybersecurity and augmented reality. At our department we have highly motivated researchers with knowledge that could help stimulate innovation and growth in the public and private sectors – but we don’t have the resources to run a traditional open university scheme at the level required to meet demand. So we believe that setting up an independent course provider that can offer short and targeted courses is the best way to help more of our researchers put their knowledge into play for the benefit of workplaces across the country,” says Kaj Grønbæk.
High demand for professional development
The demand for research-based continuing education courses is high across all the university’s subject areas. This was revealed by a survey that AU conducted among its alums, in which the former students were asked about their preferences and needs for professional development. Of the over 1,000 alums who responded, many expressed a clear desire to invest time and money in professional development – at both staff and management level.
Michael Grosbøl, managing director of the international textile company Mascot International, is looking forward to having better access to research-based courses for his company’s staff.
“We rely on being at the forefront of development. Right now, for example, we are investigating how we can use artificial intelligence to advance our business – and we’ve already started collaborating with Aarhus University on a tailor-made course to explore this issue. But, naturally, it would be easier in the future if we could reach out to a professional course provider that specialises in facilitating contact to relevant academic specialists and developing courses to meet our needs,” he says.
We rely on being at the forefront of development. Right now, for example, we are investigating how we can use artificial intelligence to advance our business – and we’ve already started collaborating with Aarhus University on a tailor-made course to explore this issue.
Michael Grosbøl, managing director, Mascot International
A broad palette of courses on offer
With Aarhus University’s ability to provide expertise, network and teaching, professionals in the public and private sectors can look forward to a broad palette of courses to choose from. The first courses are already being designed and span topics such as ESG reporting, AI in business processes, change and communication management, data security, and digital literacy.
Whether you are a large pharmaceutical company, a medium-sized manufacturing business, a small consulting firm, a municipality, or a special interest organisation, the courses will be led by demand and can be tailored to individual professional needs. Though the new course provider will be financially sustainable, it is an investment by the Aarhus University Research Foundation that has made the initiative a reality.
Nationwide course provider based in Aarhus
The new course provider will be based in the attractive grounds of the university’s Aarhus campus, but it will offer courses to professionals across the entire country, and it will run courses at all of AU’s locations, including Emdrup, Herning, Foulum and Aarhus. This means the courses can be held where it makes the most sense for presenters and course participants in relation to short transport times – resulting in a smaller climate footprint.
According to Jørgen Lang, CEO of the AUFF, the new business model combines the best of the commercial world with the strengths of a university.
“The Aarhus University Research Foundation was set up to support AU’s research activities. So it makes obvious sense for us to collaborate with the university on a company that offers research-based courses on market terms. This venture provides the optimal framework to meet the needs of working professionals for a dynamic and flexible range of courses based on the latest research,” he says.