HoD News - 21 January 2022
Dear colleagues,
Welcome back at the start of a new calendar year. Despite a somewhat turbulent and frustrating end of 2021, I do believe that 2022 will turn out more at ease for everyone - even though we probably still have to wait a few weeks. We go into the new semester under a streak of uncertainty. During the last couple of days, you have all received information from the University Management and the BSS Dean’s office. Let me briefly summarize what we know so far.
Format for semester start teaching and reexams
As communicated on 14 January [link], the University Management has a very strong belief that teaching activities will take place in-person and on-site from the beginning of the semester (31 January included). Only in case the current restrictions are prolonged, “Plan B” will come into effect; cf. the information provided from the Dean’s Office on 17 January [link]. It is likely that we will be informed rather late before semester start whether Plan A or Plan B will apply; if we are lucky, we will know next week according to the news headlines.
Regarding the format of the coming reexams (scheduled for weeks 7 and 8), the Ministry of Higher Education and Science has confirmed that reexams will follow the same format as the ordinary exams. Teaching staff will be contacted by the relevant head of studies/programme coordinator with more information about the principles for the format for the reexams. The reexam schedule will be announced on 10 February 2022.
We await further government announcements in the days and weeks ahead, but I must admit that presently, and expectedly for the coming weeks as well, there will continue to be a large spread of infection in the society. Hence, we cannot exclude that some teachers will become infected or will be close contacts and that online teaching therefore for a period will be necessary after all; this includes the semester start. Thus, teaching staff may choose to convert to online teaching if self-isolation is necessary. Please see and keep updated about the authorities’ guidelines here
I regret to say that continued ability to adapt with very short notice seems to have become a norm.
Guidance on remote working
Following the message given by the University Management on 18 January [link], a gradual return to the workplace may now begin as we approach the semester start. Work-related and academic meetings and events may be held in person if converting them to online formats or postponing them is impracticable. Please consult your head of section if you have any questions or plan to have larger in-person meetings or seminars during February.
New head of section in EBA
On 1 February 2022, I look forward to welcoming Allan Würtz as new member of the Department Management Team. Allan Würtz will replace Hans Jørn Juhl as head of section in the Econometrics and Business Analytics section. Hans Jørn Juhl has decided to step down as section head before his retirement in August. I want to thank Hans Jørn Juhl for his contribution to the Department for many years and especially for his commitment and dedication to the job as section head since 2018.
Happy New Year to all of you.
Niels