Aarhus University partnership to strengthen European ties

Deakin has signed a priority student mobility partnership agreement with Aarhus University in Denmark. This builds on a long and successful history of student exchange and research collaboration between the universities.

John Molony, Deakin’s Pro Vice-Chancellor International, said the institution-wide agreement reflected the ‘special relationship’ between the two universities.

‘Deakin and Aarhus have a special relationship spanning collaborative research, teaching and learning, and work integrated learning. Aarhus remains one of the most popular destinations for students and an important location of collaboration for our researchers. This new agreement is focused on large scale mobility of students, incorporating new forms of international learning collaboration such as virtual and online student exchange.’

‘While this is the first of its kind for Deakin, it is the way we want to take student mobility into the future. Focusing on a small group of partners for large-scale collaboration helps faculties and students at each institution to get to know each other, and our educational and research offerings. It can help advance new and exciting ways of working together,’ explained Mr. Molony.

“Deakin and Aarhus have a special relationship spanning collaborative research, teaching and learning, and work integrated learning.”

Aarhus University, established in 1928, has 40,000 students and 10,000 staff making it Denmark’s largest university. Ranking in the top 100 of universities worldwide (QS), the University has two Nobel laureates and prominent alumni. These include the current queen of Denmark, Queen Margrethe II, her son, Crown Prince Frederik, and the former Secretary General of NATO and Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The University includes a Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Health, Aarhus School of Business and Social Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Faculty of Technical Sciences.

Beyond the priority agreement, Deakin has a double PhD agreement in place with the Faculty of Arts. This has largely developed out of a strong collaboration in Higher Education research between Deakin’s Research for Education Impact (REDI) and Aarhus’ Centre for Higher Education Futures (CHEF). The partnership has led to grants and publications, and the movement of many staff and PhD students between the institutions.

Mr. John Molony, Pro Vice-Chancellor International at Deakin University (left) and Prof. Per Andersen, Vice Dean Education at Aarhus School of Business and Social Sciences (right).

Prof. Per Andersen, Vice Dean Education at Aarhus School of Business and Social Sciences, said Aarhus students, researchers and leadership have ‘much to gain from this partnership.’

‘Deakin University is the first overseas partner with whom Aarhus University is engaging at this comprehensive level. The new exchange agreement is a natural step in an increasingly closer cooperation. Deakin University has an excellent student environment as well as a strong academic profile, and a long-standing strategic goal of leadership in the areas of virtual teaching and data-driven processes.’

The city of Aarhus is slightly bigger than Geelong and the city centre, where the University of Aarhus is situated, is the only city in Denmark where more than half the population are in their twenties. Aarhus is a dynamic waterfront city with a strong emphasis on education and innovation. This partnership provides scope for greater engagement between the universities and their wider communities.

‘This new agreement is a result of a great deal of work and energy that Deakin has put into its European partnerships since setting up an office in Denmark in 2015. Our unique physical presence in Scandinavia makes Deakin a stand out among Australian universities and plays a great role in servicing and sustaining our significant partnerships with prestigious universities within the European time zones,’ said Mr. Molony.

For further information on Deakin’s European engagement contact Ursula Lorentzen, Director Deakin Europe at europe@deakin.edu.au.