The Dean wishes Merry Christmas
Soon it’s Christmas and we probably all need a well-deserved break from the everyday hardships. In this year's Christmas video, Kristian Pedersen takes a look at the year that has passed, tells what he is going to do during his Christmas holiday and not least what he is looking forward to in the new year. Watch the video here!
NB. Video in Danish. Press subtitle icon in the bottom of the player for English subtitles.
What has been most present here at Natural Sciences this year is first and foremost getting the students - and of course staff – back on campus. It has been great to have life at the university and a more normal everyday life again – and it is incredibly important for the well-being! Although we are now again affected by restrictions, I hope that the rising infection rates will not have as great an impact on universities as last winter.
Unfortunately, the year ends as it started, with restrictions and working from home for many, but I hope – especially for the sake of our students – that it will be a short-lived one!
New strategy at Nat
In 2021, we have a new strategy at Nat that we are in the process of bringing to life. Our four milestones are collaboration and management, recruitment, career development and internationalisation. The strategy is a long-term effort that I believe will benefit us all for many years to come.
During November, the Dean’s Office held strategy meetings with all department management teams and we find that there are an impressive number of activities underway. Among other things, the departments work a lot with the career perspective for the students, e.g. through events with companies and alumni.
All around, we work very seriously on recruiting scientific staff, including making a great effort to ensure a better diversity among the staff. We also work purposefully with the recruitment and retention of the students.
Evaluation of the thematic centers
We have just conducted an evaluation of our seven thematic centers together with Tech. They have done a great job of creating new insights through cross-cutting collaboration and by forming networks, which especially the young researchers benefit greatly from. Now we need to discuss with the centers how to proceed.
What awaits in 2022
We can look forward to many things in the new year. In January, our new CO2 center will open, which we will establish in collaboration with Tech. I am very much looking forward to following that.
And shortly into the new year, we in the faculty management will launch new initiatives aimed specifically at career development for our young researchers.
We are also in the process of preparing an overall vision for Katrinebjerg together with Arts, Tech and the other faculties. And then we must give even more energy to our collaboration with companies; among other things, we have several new Open Innovation in Science platforms in the pipeline.
Thus, Nat's strategy comes into play in many respects.
With these words, I would like to wish all students and staff at Nat a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you in 2022!