By Marianne Fuglsang Welling Farsinsen and Lea Laursen Pasgaard, AAU Communication and Public Affairs 
Filephoto: AAU

On 18 June, the Danish government presented a multi-year work programme for the central government that includes cuts to central government administration and bureaucracy. For the Danish universities, this means, among other things, that by 2030, DKK 500 million must be reprioritized from administration to research.

Aalborg University must thus make significant cuts to administration. The amount is not yet known, as there are still a number of unresolved questions in relation to the government's work programme. 

For now, I note that it is possible that tasks will be eliminated. In addition, an analysis of the HR and finance functions at AAU has already been initiated, which will contribute to meeting the requirement for cuts," says Søren Lind Christiansen, University Director.

He acknowledges that the announcement of upcoming cutbacks can naturally create insecurity in the organization.

"When we know more about the government's work programme and the process for AAU, we will of course announce it," says the university director, who informed all staff about the upcoming cutbacks in a recent email.

More analyses on the way

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Higher Education and Science are conducting an analysis to identify rules and requirements that can be relaxed as well as tasks that can be eliminated. The analysis must be completed before the summer of 2026. The cuts themselves will be implemented in 2027 to 2030. AAU and the other institutions will be involved in the analysis work that will begin in the autumn of 2025.

In addition, the universities, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, will analyse the possibility of reducing administration at the universities further – in addition to the DKK 500 million. The purpose will also be to reprioritize funds from administration to increased quality in the degree programmes. The ministries are drawing up terms of reference for this work after the summer holiday. 

Expecting more cutbacks

In addition, the universities also expect to be affected by cuts of DKK 250 million in the area of procurement, among others. It is not yet known when and how these will be implemented.

It is expected that the universities will also be included in the other areas to be considered in the government's multi-year work programme, including rules for management accounting and efficient and modern building operations.

Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs