Professor Østergaard and Associate Professor Jespersen received awards from the Aarhus University Anniversary Foundation at the afternoon ceremony in the Main Hall in connection with the university’s annual celebration.

2015.09.11 | Camilla Schrøder

[Translate to English:] Kristina Risom Jespersen og Lars Østergaard ved højtideligheden i Aulaen på Aarhus Universitet. Foto: Lars Kruse

The research communication prize went to Lars Østergaard, professor at Aarhus University and senior hospital physician at Aarhus University Hospital, in recognition of his abilities as a live and effective communicator. Østergaard makes particular efforts to make his research accessible and relevant to the general public. In the nomination statement, Østergaard receives praise for his down-to-earth approach and his mastery of a variety of forms of popular science communication, including talks, events and TV presentation.

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The prize of honour for pedagogics went to Kristina Risom Jespersen, associate professor and head of education at the Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus BSS. In October 2012, Jespersen developed a virtual learning strategy for the Department of Economics and Business Economics, and in 2013 and 2014, she launched a number of pilot projects on the use of IT for teaching purposes. The use of virtual learning platforms on the first-semester foundation courses in the introductory method courses has been particularly instrumental in improving students' learning outcome and increasing the number of students who pass their exams. The courses are now a permanent part of the curriculum and are continually being developed.

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Other prizes and appointments

During the ceremony in the Main Hall, it was also announced that Sten Scheibye has been appointed honorary alumnus 2015. Scheibye is a former CEO of Coloplast and now serves as chairman on the boards of major companies including the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Novo A/S. He received his PhD in chemistry from Aarhus University.

Read a portrait of Scheibye and watch a video 

The rector also presented four new honorary doctorates to researchers from other institutions with whom the university has a particularly close and valued working relationship.

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Last but not least, one student from each of the four faculties received a HM Queen Margrethe II Travel Grant, which provides DKK 25,000 to support study abroad.

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