By Lone Bechmann, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Photo: AAU and Lars Horn. Graphics: Alberte Spork

The work on AAU's upcoming strategy Knowledge for the World 2026–2029 is nearing completion. Since the Executive Management initiated a targeted and inclusive strategy process in the summer of 2025, extensive and dedicated work has aimed to identify and qualify the strategic themes that will be the focus for the next few years.

The strategy is now being finalized, and on 9 April the University Board will consider the final strategy. Once the strategy has been approved, it will be widely presented to all staff members and external partners.

Staff and managers across AAU provided input

Involvement was very broad throughout the process. An impressive number of workshops were held across the university, both in different units and with different staff groups. The Executive Management thus received a lot of different input, ideas and constructive perspectives that were continuously compiled and discussed.

At Aalborg University Business School (AAUBS), 45 staff members in October devoted half a day in their calendar to participate in a joint workshop and idea development.

"At AAUBS, innovation research is one of our strengths, so at the department's workshop it was natural that we chose to primarily focus on the part of the new strategy draft that is about innovation," says Mette Vinter Larsen, Head of Department.

"There are a lot of people at the department who care about the university and who took part because they have the attitude that at AAU we need to use each other’s strengths," she adds.

The head of department had invited AAU's Director of Innovation, Mads Bang, to participate in the workshop. He began the event with an introduction to the presentation on AAU's future initiatives on innovation and then took input from staff.

Two of AAUBS's innovation researchers, Ina Drejer, Professor with specific responsibilities and Christian Richter Østergaard, Professor helped run the department's workshop. They saw Mads Bang as very responsive to the input.

"We believe it is important that the strategy reflects the fact that AAU is one of the most collaborative universities in Denmark, and that our partnerships extend beyond Northern Jutland's borders," says Christian Richter Østergaard.

According to the two professors, it is also important that the university establishes a clear definition of what AAU means by innovation. It is important to find the right indicators, otherwise it will be difficult to measure whether the university's strategic initiatives on innovation are effective in the next strategy period.

Ina Drejer points out that innovation – and not least activities that support innovation – is happening in many places at AAU: 

"The most influential activity is, most likely, the many students who receive instruction in innovation and entrepreneurship as part of their education. After all, they go out and influence far more organizations than we researchers can collaborate with," says Ina Drejer.

A strategy to make us more relevant

Rector Per Michael Johansen emphasizes that the strategy must be a help in a complex time when the world is changing dramatically:

“As a university, we are here to make the world a better place. That is not an easy task. But the task is easier if we have a strategy. Strategy helps us focus on what matters most. The key question that the strategy answers is therefore: How can we deliver even greater societal impact going forward? I look forward to answering this question in conjunction with the Executive Management once we have the Board's approval."

Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs.