AAU's 50th Anniversary Celebrated at Musikkens Hus: Here are Highlights of the Ceremony

: 19.04.2024

The university's enormous importance for the development of Northern Jutland was the focal point of speeches and features when H.M. Queen Mary, politicians, the business community and Danish and international partners on Friday, 19 April were invited to celebrate Aalborg University's 50th anniversary.

By Lea Laursen Pasgaard, AAU Communication and Public Affairs. Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni and photos by Hans Ravn

The red carpet was rolled out, the flag hoisted and were bedecked in their party finery at Musikkens Hus in Aalborg on Friday, 19 April for the ceremonial celebration of Aalborg University's 50th anniversary. Among the approximately 750 attendees were H.M. Queen Mary; Minister for Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund (M); and politicians and partners from the business community and academia.

AAU crucial for North Jutland transformation

AAU's Chair of the Board, André Rogaczewski, delivered welcome remarks that emphasized the great importance the university has had for the development of Northern Jutland.

“In half a century, the university has helped transform an entire region. And AAU has become a role model for universities all over the world when it comes to links to the business community and relevance to society. We are open to outside knowledge, no matter where it comes from. Not always easy in the world we live in now. But we know how to navigate that," said the chair of the board.

Rector Per Michael Johansen on stage — It is people who make history and fight for it, said the rector. In his speech, he expressed his gratitude to the staff, researchers and students who have helped shape AAU over the years.
Photo: Hans Ravn

Rector Per Michael Johansen gave the opening speech of the ceremony. He noted that AAU’s anniversary is a consequence of the fact that a number of people back in the ‘60s put all their efforts into making sure that the citizens of Northern Jutland would be able to live at the same level as the rest of the country. That development, welfare and the good life should also benefit the people of Northern Jutland.

“And the key to that development and the good life was more knowledge. Not just any knowledge, but knowledge at the highest level, and knowledge that reached out and gave life to the world outside the university,” said the rector.

New report quantifies AAU's value for Northern Jutland

Since its inauguration in 1974, Aalborg University's raison d'être has been to produce knowledge at the highest level and make this knowledge live through the education of young people and through cooperation with the wider world.

The university's importance was made clear when the rector referred to a new report from the IRIS Group. The report estimates that the importance of the university's knowledge production and presence in the region is worth more than eight billion kroner per year.

“And think! That is only what we can measure. Then there are all the other important things that cannot really be measured: Particularly the formation of free and critical thinking,” said the rector.

Johannes Langkilde interviews Christina Egelund — Moderator and journalist Johannes Langkilde in conversation with Minister for Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund on stage.
Photo: Hans Ravn

Minister: The world needs knowledge to solve the major societal challenges

The moderator of the evening was journalist Johannes Langkilde who conducted the ceremony with North Jutland composure and warmth.

Johannes Langkilde interviewed Minister for Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund on stage. Among other things, he asked about the government and the minister's own proposal on how the world's major challenges should be solved. The minister replied that there is no single solution to the wicked and complex challenges facing the world, such as the climate crisis, poor well-being among children and youth, and misinformation on the internet.

"Of course, such gigantic crises can be a bit overwhelming, but we have to take one problem at a time. The solution is, of course, linked to international cooperation where we rely on like-minded countries we can solve problems with. For example, we cannot solve the climate crisis alone. Something else of course is also to look into education and science. We need new knowledge and technologies – like for the green transition," Christina Egelund said.

Awards and honors to researchers and students

After Johannes Langkilde's conversation with the minister, the university's five new honorary doctorates recipients were honored and a number of awards were presented: the Obel Family Foundation's Teaching Award, the Spar Nord Foundation's Research Award, and the NOVI Scholarship.