By Bo Jeppesen, Rector's Office
Photo: AAU

In order to ensure that Aalborg University understands and can tap into the new demands and opportunities that a changed worldview provides, it is crucial that the university is present and contributes to the European and national agenda, because crucial decisions will be made in the coming months and years. This requires an extraordinary effort from the rector, and this is why the rector, with the support of the university board, decided to appoint the dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Jesper Wengel, to the position of acting pro-rector for research at AAU.

"The importance of being present in international and national forums where research, innovation, defence and security have a strategic focus has not diminished in recent years. Therefore, I need to focus more on this aspect and leave the focus on research to a pro-rector. AAU is an international university with strong regional roots, and if we are to continue to be relevant and agenda-setting, it is crucial that the university is present and asserts itself where decisions are made. But it should not affect research internally, and therefore I am pleased that Jesper Wengel has agreed to take this on," says Per Michael Johansen.

AAU strengthens research governance

Jesper Wengel sees his new role as an opportunity to contribute to AAU making its many research strengths mutually even stronger and thus have an even greater impact on the development of society:

"There are many tasks, but I will focus on the framework conditions for research, and on the fact that the university must succeed in delivering research-based knowledge that leads to solutions to technological and societal challenges, which in many cases will require collaboration across all the university's faculties," says Jesper Wengel.

The new pro-rector for research will have extensive strategic responsibility for AAU's continued advancement in research, and they will take over several of the internal operational and development tasks that the rector has previously handled. This means, among other things, that the pro-rector for research will be AAU's representative on Universities Denmark's Research Policy Committee and will chair AAU's Strategic Council for Research and Innovation which is responsible for the strategic development of research, innovation, research training and business collaboration.

Michael Toft Overgaard will become acting dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Science; he is currently vice dean for research at the faculty. These interim appointments take effect on 1 March 2026. The appointment of a vice dean for research at the faculty is also underway. 

The rector still prioritizes close contact with university staff, and this means, among other things, that the dialogue meetings with staff members at the 15 departments will continue.