1. Strategy Statement for the University of Southern Denmark December 16, 2013

2. THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN DENMARK - a research university focusing on the students If the global challenges of the future are to be met, more young people must acquire academic qualifications. Research and innovation create development, growth and welfare in a global knowledge society. The aim of the University of Southern Denmark, then, is to offer as many young people as possible a research-based degree at the highest academic level and with an international outlook. The university has to provide top-class international research if it is to be considered attractive by students, staff and partners. Research aims to create new knowledge and, in collaboration with Danish and international partners, to contribute to meeting the challenges that face our society. We are holistic in our approach and collaborate across academic disciplines to generate new research results and to offer attractive degree programmes. All students enrolling at SDU are offered equal opportunities to take an academic degree at the highest level. Talent can be found everywhere, and diversity is a strength. The university attracts many international students, and welcomes many who will be their family’s first academic. Through active learning and activating teaching in a stimulating study environment, SDU supports its students throughout their study, from their enrolment to their first employment after graduation, ensuring that they complete their courses successfully. Our prominent regional presence, with campuses in six major urban centres, means that more people can take an academic degree and that we can generate knowledge in close collaboration with our partners. December 16, 20132

3. SDU’s Strategy Statement Four strategic themes:  Degree programmes  Research  Internationalisation  Outreach Each theme is represented by:  Aims  Initiatives  Actions  Key goals December 16, 20133

4. THE STRATEGIC THEMES December 16, 20134

5. Degree programmes In 2020 the drop-out rate for the first year bachelor programme will be max. 12% In 2020 the average duration of a completed programme will be reduced by at least 3.1 months from 2011 levels In 2020 SDU will take at least 15% of first priority applicants December 16, 20135 Actions Initiatives Ambitions We must develop our framework for learning and student life in order to meet the needs of the students and support the development of their potential. Attractive degree programmes To develop and deliver programmes in collaboration with the labour market To develop interdisciplinary programmes To develop programmes that ensure cohesion in the educational system To further develop the university’s PhD courses Differentiated forms of teaching To increase the use of active learning and activating teaching To develop incentives for excellent teaching To increase the choice of specific talent programmes for students Attractive student life To develop opportunities for sports and other cultural and social activities To contribute to the procurement of jobs relevant to university study

6. Degree programmes December 16, 20136 Ambitions:  We must develop our framework for learning and student life in order to meet the needs of the students and support the development of their potential. Initiatives:  Attractive degree programmes  Differentiated forms of teaching  Attractive student life Actions:  To develop and deliver programmes in collaboration with the labour market  To develop interdisciplinary programmes  To develop programmes that ensure cohesion in the educational system  To further develop the university’s PhD courses  To increase the use of active learning and activating teaching  To develop incentives for excellent teaching  To increase the choice of specific talent programmes for students  To develop opportunities for sports and other cultural and social activities  To contribute to the procurement of jobs relevant to university study Key goals:  In 2020 the drop-out rate for the first year bachelor programme will be max. 12%  In 2020 the average duration of a completed programme will be reduced by at least 3.1 months from 2011 levels  In 2020 SDU will take at least 15% of first priority applicants

7. Actions Initiatives Ambitions We will deliver research at the highest international level and make the greatest possible contribution to meeting the challenges facing the world. Elite research in selected areas To prioritise selected research areas To set up an top research programme To set up a research talent programme Interdisciplinary research To further develop interdisciplinary research To strengthen the infrastructural framework for interdisciplinary research in close collaboration with our partners Reseach In 2020 external funding will have increased by 50% from 2013 levels During the period 2014-2020 the university’s total funding from EU sources will be at least DKK 700m In 2020 SDU will be among the top 150 on Leiden world ranking list December 16, 20137

8. Research December 16, 20138 Initiatives:  Elite research in selected areas  Interdisciplinary research Ambitions:  We will deliver research at the highest international level and make the greatest possible contribution to meeting the challenges facing the world. Actions:  To prioritise selected research areas  To set up an top research programme  To set up a research talent programme  To further develop interdisciplinary research  To strengthen the infrastructural framework for interdisciplinary research in close collaboration with our partners Key goals:  In 2020 external funding will have increased by 50% from 2013 levels  During the period 2014-2020 the university’s total funding from EU sources will be at least DKK 700m  In 2020 SDU will be among the top 150 on Leiden world ranking list

9. Actions Initiatives Ambitions We will extend our already high level of internationalisation by aiming to increase the number of students and staff spending time abroad and by attracting more students and researchers from other countries An international study environment To integrate periods of study abroad into curricula To create a framework for foreign students that provides attractive conditions for study To increase the number of bachelor and masters degrees taught in English An international workplace To increase the recruitment of international staff To offer opportunities for developing language skills To increase collaboration with selected foreign universities Internationalisation In 2020 the number of students with periods of study abroad will have increased by 50% over 2013 levels In 2020 at least 60% of the university’s publications will be international collaborative productions In 2020 at least 20% of the university’s full-time staff will be from abroad In 2020 at least 25% of the university’s academic staff will be from abroad December 16, 20139

10. Internationalisation December 16, 201310 Ambitions:  We will extend our already high level of internationalisation by aiming to increase the number of students and staff spending time abroad and by attracting more students and researchers from other countries. Actions:  To integrate periods of study abroad into curricula  To create a framework for foreign students that provides attractive conditions for study  To increase the number of bachelor and masters degrees taught in English  To increase the recruitment of international staff  To offer opportunities for developing language skills  To increase collaboration with selected foreign universities Key goals:  In 2020 the number of students with periods of study abroad will have increased by 50% over 2013 levels  In 2020 at least 60% of the university’s publications will be international collaborative productions  In 2020 at least 20% of the university’s full-time staff will be from abroad  In 2020 at least 25% of the university’s academic staff will be from abroad Initiatives:  An international study environment  An international workplace

11. Outreach In 2020 the proportion of academics in employment in the regions of Southern Denmark and Zealand will have doubled against 2013 levels In 2020 the number of collaborative agreements between researchers and public organisations will have increased by 50% against 2013 levels December 16, 201311 Actions Initiatives Ambitions We will aim to ensure that our students are already equipped for employment on graduation, and we will actively explore opportunities to transfer our knowledge to the benefit of society, both globally and locally. Services to fulfil the needs of society To increase the commercialisation and applicability of research To offer relevant and attractive post-graduate and in-service programmes To increase our participation in public debate and our transmission of knowledge, including research-based services to public authorities Regional roots A clear and updated profile for research and degree programmes for campuses outside Odense To increase collaboration with Odense University Hospital and the other regional health authorities To set up collaborations with business in urban centres around each campus

12. Outreach December 16, 201312 Ambitions:  We will aim to ensure that our students are already equipped for employment on graduation, and we will actively explore opportunities to transfer our knowledge to the benefit of society, both globally and locally. Actions:  To increase the commercialisation and applicability of research  To offer relevant and attractive post-graduate and in-service programmes  To increase our participation in public debate and our transmission of knowledge, including research-based services to public authorities  A clear and updated profile for research and degree programmes for campuses outside Odense  To increase collaboration with Odense University Hospital and the other regional health authorities  To set up collaborations with business in urban centres around each campus Key goals:  In 2020 the proportion of academics in employment in the regions of Southern Denmark and Zealand will have doubled against 2013 levels  In 2020 the number of collaborative agreements between researchers and public organisations will have increased by 50% against 2013 levels Initiatives:  Services to fulfil the needs of society  Regional roots

13. The future process December 16, 201313 Board meeting December 16, 2013 Establish the Strategy Statement Establish the overall future process Establish the financial framework for the Strategy Statement The launch – December 2013-January 2014 Christmas email is sent out by the Vice-Chancellor with the final Strategy Statement General Powerpoint is prepared Strategy site to be updated Embedding/ implementation – Spring 2014 Plan for firming up and carrying out action Instruments for embedding are developed Plan for follow-up Management’s follow-up of goals and revision of initiatives and actions