Staff, students and university partners gathered for brunch in Stakladen to welcome University Director Arnold Boon to Aarhus University. See photos from the event and highlights from the speeches.

2016.02.02 | Mette Helm

Arnold Boon’s appointment as university director was celebrated with a reception in Stakladen.

Pro-rector Eika Berit welcomed everyone. Photo: Lars Kruse, Aarhus University.

“A Dutchman is just a rough Dane,” said Rector Brian Bech Nielsen teasingly in his speech for Arnold Boon. Photo: Lars Kruse, Aarhus University.

“Good management is all about putting yourself in other people’s shoes,” said Arnold Boon. Photo: Lars Kruse, Aarhus University.

Arnold Boon’s appointment was celebrated with brunch for all present. Photo: Lars Kruse, Aarhus University.

On Friday 29 January, Aarhus University hosted a welcome reception for Arnold Boon in Stakladen, giving staff, students and university partners a chance to meet the new university director.

Director with in-depth knowledge of the university world

Pro-rector Berit Eika welcomed everybody, before handing over to Rector Brian Bech Nielsen, who praised the new university director:

“We can clearly see that you know what you’re doing. You are familiar with the university world, and you have achieved some very impressive results at a challenging time dominated by reforms, stiffer requirements and cost cuts. Those of us working here like to believe that our university is something special – and there is actually an element of truth in that. Therefore, it is clearly an advantage that you have ten years of research experience. You understand what daily life is like for our academic staff, and you can appreciate the challenges they face. This is an excellent starting point for heading an extremely committed and skilled administration which is dedicated to supporting our core activities,” said Brian Bech Nielsen.

Despite Arnold Boon’s Dutch upbringing and his long-standing career on Zealand, Brian Bech Nielsen described his ability to hold his tongue and listen as a particularly Jutlandic – and commendable – quality. Berit Eika then invited Arnold Boon to speak, and he started by thanking everyone for the warm welcome.

“I am delighted to have been made responsible for Aarhus University’s administration for the next few years, and I’m grateful for the trust and faith which the rector and the University Board have shown in me. I am also immensely proud to be university director at Aarhus University. I think that the researchers, the technical and administrative members of staff and the students have delivered some impressive results recently, despite significant challenges. This is a good starting point for the work which lies ahead of us,” said the new university director by way of introduction.

One mouth – two ears

Arnold Boon also took the opportunity to talk briefly about how he views the challenges that lie ahead.

“To be able to function as university director, first you have to understand the university. Therefore, it’s a good thing that we are equipped as people with one mouth and two ears, because to begin with it’s important to listen twice as much as you speak. I’m still soaking up information, but I would still like to say a few words about some of the topics that will require our attention in the next few months and beyond. First, we must pay attention to the bottom line. The university has devoted considerable efforts to balancing its budgets in recent years, but the Finance Act which the government passed recently presents new challenges. Our revenues will fall by about DKK 300 million, which means that we have to make the most of every krone,” said Arnold Boon.

In addition to digitalisation and building operations and maintenance, Arnold Boon also mentioned the administration as an area which requires attention in the near future.

“The university’s administration must be professional, efficient and user-oriented. I am well aware that, as an administrative employee, you can come under pressure from different sides. Researchers and students expect ever better service, and at the same time we have to cut costs. My approach will be that we must reach out, and through bettering our understanding of the needs of students and researchers, through cooperation and the setting of joint priorities, we must find out how we can provide a professional administrative service and good results,” says Arnold Boon.

About 150 people attended the welcome reception in Stakladen for Arnold Boon.