At its meeting on 30 April, the University Board approved the university's annual report, including its accounts for 2013.

2014.05.05 | Anders Correll

The board approved the annual report for 2013.

The annual report provides a status on the university's activities, finances and developments in the past year. It also provides an overview of each of the four core activities.

Aarhus University's researchers distinguished themselves in many different fields. Several key events are mentioned. They include the opening of the new Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), which will be conducting research harking back to Jens Christian Skou's Nobel Prize.

Based on an interim evaluation by international expert panels, the funding for three basic research centres – CON AMORE, QGM and CMC – was extended right up until 2019. And thanks to a grant from the Villum Foundation of DKK 70 million, a new research station at Station North was inaugurated in June last year. The go-ahead was also given for the siting of the future Danish National Centre for Particle Therapy at Aarhus University Hospital Skejby.

And food research in Aarhus was kicked off in earnest with the Danish Food Cluster in connection with Agro Food Park in Skejby.

In the field of education, the annual report mentions the adoption by Aarhus University in 2013 of a quality assurance policy that provides a common framework for the development of the university's degree programmes and which will be a key element in the future institutional accreditation. Quality in education is a focal point, and despite economic stagnation, Aarhus University has decided to maintain and develop the quality of education. In line with these intentions, 2013 saw the launch of a number of new special talent development programmes.

Following an extensive consultation process, the Board also adopted the university's strategy for 2013-2020, and the 2013-2014 academic year will thus see targeted efforts in the following areas:

• Attracting external research funding
• Attracting and retaining talents at all levels
• Institutional accreditation
• Development of the digital learning environment
• Development and establishment of new platforms for business collaboration
• Consolidation and expansion of public sector consultancy

Accounts approved

As anticipated, the university ended the 2013 financial year with a deficit. The deficit totalled DKK 141 million out of a total turnover of DKK 6,146 million, and the deficit has been covered by drawing on equity. For 2014, a smaller deficit is budgeted than was realised in 2013, while the budget is expected to balance in 2015.

"Seen in isolation, the results for 2013 are not satisfactory, but if you look at developments over several years, the budgeted deficits are balanced by the surpluses generated previously. We have budgeted for a deficit in 2012, 2013 and 2014 in order to support the university's strategic development. And given the very comprehensive cuts which have been implemented, we are convinced that the finances will balance in 2015, with equity again making up around 9 per cent of turnover," says Michael Christiansen, Chairman of the Aarhus University Board.

• Read more in the annual report