By Ellen Holm Tambjerg and Halla Ehssan El-Jechy, student assistants in AAU Communication and Public Affairs

- We have gained a lot from these workshops. We already have a concrete outcome with new perspectives and good input that contributes constructively to the question of how to handle the graduate reform.

So says Louise Møller Haase, Vice Dean for Education at the Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of IT and Design, after the last workshop.

Already a strong collaboration with the business community

At the three workshops, participants were introduced to the new business-oriented master’s programmes through various presentations, after which they exchanged experiences and discussed ideas for further work on the master’s programmes in groups. Several participants said that they believe that AAU already works and teaches in different ways that speak to the new business-oriented master's programmes.

One of them is Heidi Hautopp, Assistant Professor at the Department of Culture and Learning:

- The politicians have some ideas about how it should be organised, and some of the things we already do at AAU, especially in relation to collaboration with external actors. I think it's a matter of clarifying what we already do, and then some things may need to be organised in new formats.

The workshop provided an opportunity to spar with colleagues across the faculties, and several expressed that they participated because they were curious about what perspectives others saw in the new Master of Business Administration programme - and the master’s degree reform more generally.

- I feel a certain obligation to participate because I want a sensible solution to be found. I have a few good ideas, but I'm also here to listen to what others have to say. We should focus on a few things that are particularly important to us. Hopefully, these key elements can move us forward in the long run, says Niels Thomas Eriksen, Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Biosciences.

Simone Riis Porsborg, Associate Professor at the Department of Medicine and Health Technology, adds:

- What has driven me to participate today is curiosity. I want to be open to what opportunities others see and learn from what already works in other programmes and what experiences have been made at the university. All in order to better prepare myself if the master's degree reform should end up affecting the programmes I work with, she says.

Opinions on the new business-oriented master’s programmes were divided among the participants. While many applauded the goal of closer collaboration with the business community, there was also scepticism about how it should be carried out:

- I think it's a good idea to promote co-operation between educational institutions and the business community and make it closer. But to see it as a financial solution to a challenge, I think, is the wrong approach. I think it could have been more effective if you had made it a goal and added positive incentives instead, says Simone Riis Porsborg.

The employees' input to the design of the new business-oriented master's programme will supplement AAU's internal task force, which is responsible for preparing the rectorate for the meetings of the national master's committee.

You can read the rectorate's latest status on the candidate committee's work here