AARHUS UNIVERSITY

1. AARHUS UNIVERSITY

2. The vision of Aarhus University is to belong to the elite of universities and to contribute to the development of national and global welfare

3. Aarhus University in the Global Market - The impact of university rankings Outline • Denmark in the rankings • Staying in front • A global market for education and research is emerging • Aarhus University’s response • Many kinds of benchmarks are neccesary

4. National Rankings • Innovative capacity Denmark number 5 in the world Source: DIW, Deutsche Telecom Stiftung • Global Competitiveness Index Denmark no. 3 Source: WEF, 2008 • Subjective Well-Being Index Denmark no. 1 Source: World Values Survey, 2008

5. Research systems ranking • Research Impact Denmark, US and Switzerland in front on citation frequency and Nordic countries all well above world average (Source: NIFU/STEP, Thomsons Reuters, National Science Indicators) • World average

6. HE systems ranking • University systems ranking Denmark number 3, with only UK and Australia in front • Universities measured on inclusiveness, effectiveness, life long learning, access, responsiveness, attractiveness (Source: The Lisbon Council, Policy Brief, 2008)

7. Rankings controlled for population size Times Higher top100 2008 • 2 Danish Univ (1 : 2.5 mio. people) • 17 UK Univ (1 : 3.5 mio.) • 4 Dutch Univ ( 1 : 4 mio.) • 2 Swedish Univ (1 : 4.5 mio.) • 37 US Univ (1 : 8 mio.) • 3 German Univ (1 : 27 mio.) Shanghai top100 2008 • 4 Swedish (1 : 2 mio.) • 2 Danish Univ (1 : 2.5 mio.) • 11 UK Univ (1:5.5 mio.) • 54 US Univ (1: 5.5 mio.) • 2 Dutch Univ (1 : 8 mio.) • 6 German Univ (1 : 14 mio.)

8. Staying in front: A Globalisation Council Members Chaired by the Danish Prime Minister Ministers of Finance, Trade & Industry, Science & Technology and Education Representatives from the key sections of the Danish Society (from trade unions, industrial organisations, companies, the education and research community, and the Danish Government) Function Advisory Council to the Danish Government Answer the question: How does Denmark maintain it’s position as one of the wealthiest countries in the world and a country with strong social cohesion?

9. The Government’s objectives Progress, Innovation and Cohesion • Denmark shall stay among the most attractive countries in the world to live and work in – also in 10 and 20 years from now. • Denmark shall remain a country where everyone is optimally equipped to unfold their abilities and create prosperity for themselves and for others • A country that has a global outlook and plays an active role in the world community. • A country where everyone participates in the renewal process and where everyone shares in progress and cohesion.

10. World top level universities The Government’s objectives for ensuring world top level universities • Danish universities should be comparable to global top performing universities. • Universities should develop attractive academic environments and hereby contribute to attracting and retaining highly qualified labour and companies in Denmark. Three steps to reach the objectives • Professionalising universities • Reorganising HE&R institutions • Modernising the funding compact

11. A global market for education and research Distance has disappeared and now the challenge is for universities to stay competitive in a developing global market for higher education and research 11

12. Three decades of growth in student mobility Students enrolled outside their country of citizenship (1975-2005) Source: Education at a glance, OECD, 2007

13. Global challenges for universities Increased mobility and competition to attract the best Increased convergence of national higher education systems (Bologna, ECTS, EULAC etc.) Increased liberalization and trading in educational programs (WTO-GATS) Increased competition for research funding 13

14. Aarhus University’s response • AU defends academic freedom • AU counter balances short term trends • AU benchmarks – but believes that no benchmark holds the whole truth • AU engages the national and international community and offers leadership in international fora • AU contributes to the global market for knowledge and talent

15. Examples of internationalisation at AU • Focus on global change • Proactivity in international fora • Increased focus on centres of excellence and research talent development • New China-strategy –in Chinese • A developing country strategy • Wellcoming diversity

16. Knowing the current position is a prerequisite to reach the goal Aarhus University seeks diverse information and many kinds of benchmarks are useful: • Northern European Benchmarking Project • Bibliometric benchmarking project in collaboration with CWTS, Leiden • Participating in international workshops and seminars • Danish Universities database • Various university rankings and global indicator systems • Shanghai • Times Higher • Leiden • Thomson Reuters subject rankings • Deutcher Telekom • Lisbon Council + OECD, WEF, World Bank

17. Up and down on Times Higher - but the older and larger universities dominate

18. Leidens ’green’ list, an opportunity for the medium sized and specialised universities • Controlling for size and field gives another picture • Low P – but a high impact factor

19. Northern European Benchmarking project The benchmarking project focuses on developing tools and processes by learning from each other Themes • International Master Programmes • PhD Studies stategies • Research funding and management • Internal allocation of ressources

20. Rankings – AU’s position • Rankings and indicator systems are important positioning tools • Rankings are important when it comes to attracting foreign students and researchers • Rankings play a role in the national debate • Rankings are also important in our internal debate at AU • Be precise and communicate what rankings tell - and what they don’t! • Times Higher: Peers, Bibliometrics and Internationalisation • Shanghai: Bibliometrics, Medals and Honours • Leiden: Bibliometrics • Rankings should not be used in a ressource allocation model

21. The real challenge -- is not funding but competing for the most advanced human capital…. and size matters Nobel Laureate Jens Christian Skou, The Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 1997 21

22. Thank you for the invitation! Basismidler efter kvalitet Thanks for the attention rector@au.dk Thanks for the attention! rector@au.dk 22

23. Rector Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen Selected boards and councils 2008- Board member EUA 2008- Commisioner of the Prime Ministers Africa Commission 2008- Chairman, Nordic University Collaboration 2006- Vice-Chairman, Danish Rectors Conference 2000-01 Vice-Chairman, Danish Research Commission 1985-87 Chairman, Danish Science Research Council Positions 2005- Rector, Aarhus University 1993-05 Lead Higher Education Specialist, World Bank, 1986-93 Rector, Danish Research Academy 1983-85 Director, Botanical Institute, University of Aarhus 1976-79 Dean, Faculty of Sciences, University of Aarhus 1979-81 Professor, P. Universidad Católica, Quito, Ecuador 1972-86 Associate Professor of Botany, Aarhus University