The traditional celebration of Aarhus University’s anniversary took place in the Main Hall on Friday 9 September 2016. Among the guests at the ceremony were Mayor of Aarhus Jacob Bundsgaard as well as representatives from business and industry, the university and local civic life.

While the students celebrated the day in the University Park with a sports day, there were music, awards and speeches in the Main Hall.

One of the speakers was Michael Christiansen, chair of the Aarhus University Board, who began his speech by stating that it would be his last because he planned to step down from the board at the beginning of the new year.

“My years as Chairman of the Board here at Aarhus University have taught me that managing a university is something very special. It is important that the university is managed in a constant dialogue with the researchers, and with respect for the unique nature of research. Research must be managed, but researchers must also be allowed freedom – that is the challenge for the university management,” said Christiansen.

Rector Bech Nielsen:  Thank you to our employees
Rector Bech Nielsen took the occasion to praise the university’s employees for their impressive and whole-hearted commitment:

“This applies to academic staff, but in equally high degree to our technical and administrative employees. You all contribute to the whole which constitutes the university. So dear guests, I encourage you to give our attending employees a clap on the back. They’ve earned it. Not least because they keep the flag flying high at a time when the educational sector is under pressure,” said Rector Bech Nielsen.

The distinguished alumna: Aarhus University and the hospitals are joined
In keeping with tradition, this year’s distinguished alum was announced: Former medical director Anne Thomassen, MD, DMSc who is a former chair of the Danish Cancer Society and one of the founders of the country’s first centre for rape victims. In her speech, Dr Thomassen addressed the close relationship between the university and the hospitals in Aarhus.

“Aarhus University and the hospitals have always been inextricably linked – and they should continue to be so. The collaboration between university and hospital has benefited from their close proximity – especially along Nørrebrogade – like an inseparable old married couple – almost indistinguishable – one spouse just slightly more red than the other. Let this unity continue even after the hospitals are moved to Skejby. Fortunately, the Department of Clinical Medicine is already out there,” said Dr Thomassen.

Student Isabella Møller: Remember volunteer work
The day’s student representative, Isabella Møller, Master’s degree student in Spanish for business purposes, spoke of the volunteer work she performed in addition to her studies, and expressed concern about the consequences of the political reforms of university education.

“I fear that the value and potential of learning and development which lie both inside and outside the classroom are being forgotten in the political battle to get students out on to the labour market more quickly. A potential which lies out there where you’re not quite sure whether you’ll sink or swim, and which therefore requires the right framework and conditions in order to be realised,” said Isabella Møller.

More honours and prizes
In keeping with tradition, a variety of prizes and honours were conferred at the annual celebration. The recipients were:

Retired medical director Anne Thomassen, 2016 distinguished alumna.

Professor MSO Jeppe Bundsgaard, Aarhus University Anniversary Foundation Prize of Honour for Pedagogics

Professor Jørgen Elklit, Aarhus University Anniversary Foundation Research Communication Prize.

Four students received the HM Queen Margrethe II Travel Grant.

Honorary doctorates were conferred

Watch the ceremony in the Main Hall