{{Short description|University in Denmark}} {{Infobox university | name = University of Southern Denmark | native_name = Syddansk Universitet | latin_name = | image_name = University of Southern Denmark logo.svg | image_upright = | motto = Fructus Increscit Opera Novo In Agro .<!--no longer used since its abbreviation is FIONIA = Latin for Funen. SDU has campuses in both Funen, Jutland and Zealand. --> | mottoeng = | established = {{Start date and age|1998}}<ref name="history">{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.sdu.dk/en/om_sdu/historie|website=About SDU|publisher=University of Southern Denmark|access-date=28 January 2016|date=24 October 2014}}</ref> | type = Public | endowment = | administrative_staff = 3772 (2016)<ref name=numbers>{{cite web|url=https://static.sdu.dk/Flexpaper/aspnet/Flex_document.aspx?doc=%2Fsitecore%2Fmedia%20library%2FFiles%2Fepage%2FOm_SDU%2FDokumentation_tal%2FTal%20og%20tabeller%2FTal%20og%20tabeller_webpdf%3Fsc_database%3Dweb&doc=%2Fsitecore%2Fmedia%20library%2FFiles%2Fepage%2FOm_SDU%2FDokumentation_tal%2FTal%20og%20tabeller%2FTal%20og%20tabeller_webpdf%3Fsc_database%3Dweb|title=Tal & Tabeller|language=da|trans-title=Numbers & Tables|website=static.sdu.dk|access-date=17 January 2019|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302132256/https://static.sdu.dk/Flexpaper/aspnet/Flex_document.aspx?doc=%2Fsitecore%2Fmedia%20library%2FFiles%2Fepage%2FOm_SDU%2FDokumentation_tal%2FTal%20og%20tabeller%2FTal%20og%20tabeller_webpdf%3Fsc_database%3Dweb&doc=%2Fsitecore%2Fmedia%20library%2FFiles%2Fepage%2FOm_SDU%2FDokumentation_tal%2FTal%20og%20tabeller%2FTal%20og%20tabeller_webpdf%3Fsc_database%3Dweb|url-status=dead}}</ref> | faculty = | rector = Jens Ringsmose | students = 29,674 (2016)<ref name=numbers /> | undergrad = | postgrad = | doctoral = | city = Odense, Esbjerg, Kolding, Sønderborg, Copenhagen, Slagelse (Until 2027)<ref>{{cite web |title=FAQ about SDU Slagelse |url=https://mitsdu.dk/en/service/campusslagelse/faq |website=SDU |access-date=31 May 2024}}</ref> | state = | country = Denmark | coordinates = {{coord|55|22|7|N|10|25|41|E|type:edu_region:DK|display=inline,title}} | campus = Odense <br />Esbjerg <br />Kolding <br />Sønderborg <br />Slagelse <br />Copenhagen | affiliations = EUA | colors = Black and white {{color box|#000000}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}} | nickname = SDU | logo = | logo_size = | website = {{URL|1=http://www.sdu.dk/en/|2=sdu.dk}} }}
The '''University of Southern Denmark''' ({{langx|da|Syddansk Universitet|lit=South Danish University}}, {{small|abbr.}} '''SDU''') has campuses located in Southern Denmark and on Zealand. It offers a number of joint programmes in co-operation with the University of Flensburg and the University of Kiel. Contacts with regional industries and the international scientific community are strong.
With its 29,674 enrolled students (as of 2016),<ref name=numbers /> the university is both the third-largest and, given its roots in Odense University, the third-oldest Danish university (fourth if one includes the Technical University of Denmark).<ref>"Syddansk Universitet" on the Danish Wikipedia. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019.</ref> Since the introduction of the ranking systems in 2012, the University of Southern Denmark has been ranked between 36th (2012 <ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-13 |title=Young University Rankings |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2012/one-hundred-under-fifty |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref>), 38th (2013 <ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-13 |title=Young University Rankings |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2013/one-hundred-under-fifty/commentary |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref>), 37th (2014<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-13 |title=Young University Rankings |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2014/one-hundred-under-fifty/detailed |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref>), and 44th (2015 <ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-06-04 |title=Young University Rankings |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2015/one-hundred-under-fifty/methodology |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}</ref>) in the world by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in the Top 100 Universities Under 50 List.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-04-13|title=Young University Rankings|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2012/young-university-rankings|access-date=2022-01-22|website=Times Higher Education (THE)|language=en}}</ref> It is also one of the Top 50 Universities Under 50 according to QS World University Rankings from 2012-2015.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-05-29|title=The QS top 50 universities under 50 2012|url=http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2012/may/29/top-50-universities-under-50-2012|access-date=2022-01-22|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=QS University Rankings: Top 50 Under 50 2013|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/top-50-under-50/2013|access-date=2022-01-22|website=Top Universities|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=QS University Rankings: Top 50 Under 50 2014|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/top-50-under-50/2014|access-date=2022-01-22|website=Top Universities|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=QS University Rankings: Top 50 Under 50 2015|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/top-50-under-50/2015|access-date=2022-01-22|website=Top Universities|language=en}}</ref>
==History== The University of Southern Denmark was established in 1998 when Odense University, the Southern Denmark School of Business and Engineering and the South Jutland University Centre were merged.<ref name="history" /> The University Library of Southern Denmark was also merged with the university in 1998.
In 2006, the Odense University College of Engineering was merged into the university and renamed as the Faculty of Engineering.<ref name="history" /> In June 2009, SDU banned smoking during written examinations and in August that year tightened its alcohol policy; both measures were opposed by Freja Brandhøj, head of Syddanske Studerende.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Herskind |first=Jakob |date=18 June 2009 |title=SDU-rektor: Nul rygning under eksamen |url=https://fyens.dk/odense/sdu-rektor-nul-rygning-under-eksamen-2022-12-9 |access-date=2 May 2023 |work=Fyens Stiftstidende}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hyldgaard |first=Rikke |date=28 August 2009 |title=Slut med druk på rusturen |url=https://fyens.dk/indland/slut-med-druk-paa-rusturen |url-access=subscription |access-date=2 May 2023 |work=Fyens Stiftstidende}}</ref> On 28 November that year, several hundred students participated in a boycott of the university canteen, calling for lower prices.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kristensen |first=Rune F.B. |date=28 November 2009 |title=Boykot blev et tilløbsstykke |url=https://fyens.dk/odense/boykot-blev-et-tilloebsstykke |url-access=subscription |access-date=2 May 2023 |work=Fyens Stiftstidende}}</ref>
In 2007, the Business School Centre in Slagelse (''Handelshøjskolecentret Slagelse'') and the National Institute of Public Health (''Statens Institut for Folkesundhed'') were also merged into the University of Southern Denmark.<ref name="history" /> Princess Marie became a patron of the university in 2009,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bergman |first=Jan |date=30 September 2009 |title=Prinsesse Marie hjælper universitet |url=https://www.tv2fyn.dk/fyn/prinsesse-marie-skal-promovere-syddansk-universitet |access-date=2 May 2023 |work=Billed Bladet}}</ref> and participated in the annual party during several years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Salling |first=Henrik |date=10 October 2010 |title=Prinsesse Marie har fundet sin plads |url=https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongelige/danmark/prinsesse-marie-har-fundet-sin-plads |access-date=2 May 2023 |work=Billed Bladet}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Vestesen |first=Bjarke |date=6 October 2012 |title=Rektor og prinsesse til årsfest |url=https://fyens.dk/odense/rektor-og-prinsesse-til-aarsfest |access-date=2 May 2023 |work=Fyens Stiftstidende}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Astrup |first=Sander Schmidt |date=3 October 2014 |title=Prinsesse Marie kom til kæmpefest på SDU |url=https://fyens.dk/odense/prinsesse-marie-kom-til-kaempefest-paa-sdu |access-date=2 May 2023 |work=Fyens Stiftstidende}}</ref>
{{Infobox university rankings | ARWU_W = 301-400| ARWU_W_year = 2025| ARWU_W_ref = <ref>[https://www.shanghairanking.com/institution/university-of-southern-denmark ARWU Word 2025]</ref> | CWUR_W = 289| CWUR_W_year = 2025| CWUR_W_ref = <ref>[https://cwur.org/2025/university-of-southern-denmark.php CWUR Word 2025]</ref> | CWTS_W = 329| CWTS_W_year = 2025| CWTS_W_ref = <ref>[https://open.leidenranking.com/ranking/2025/list CWTS Word 2025]</ref> | QS_W = 303| QS_W_year = 2026| QS_W_ref = <ref>[https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-southern-denmark-sdu QS Word 2026]</ref> | THE_W = 251-300| THE_W_year = 2026| THE_W_ref = <ref>[https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/university-southern-denmark THE Word 2026]</ref> | USNWR_W = 255| USNWR_W_year = 2025| USNWR_W_ref = <ref>[https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/university-of-southern-denmark-500382 USNWR 2025-2026]</ref> }}
After being located in different parts of Odense for several years, a brand new Faculty of Engineering building physically connected to the main Odense Campus was established and opened in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robot kapper rød snor ved indvielse af ny SDU bygning |url=https://www.sdu.dk/da/aktuelt/nyhedsarkiv/nyheder/arkiv_2015/september+15/indvielse+tek |access-date=2018-09-26 |website=SDU |language=da-DK}}</ref> The University Library of Southern Denmark was also merged with the university in 1998. As the original Odense University was established in 1966, the University of Southern Denmark celebrated their 50-year anniversary on September 15, 2016.<ref>http://www.sdu.dk/en/om_sdu/sdu50. University of Southern Denmark. Retrieved 9 September 2017.</ref> The queen of Denmark visited SDU in October of that year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nørmark |first=Jakob |date=24 October 2016 |title=Dronningebesøg på fredag: Margrethe lokket til SDU med 50 år gammelt foto |url=https://fyens.dk/tema/dronningebesoeg-paa-fredag-margrethe-lokket-til-sdu-med-50-aar-gammelt-foto |access-date=2 May 2023 |work=Fyens Stiftstidende}}</ref>
==Administration and organization== The university is governed by a board consisting of 9 members: 5 members recruited outside the university form the majority of the board, 1 member is appointed by the scientific staff, 1 member is appointed by the administrative staff, and 2 members are appointed by the students. The rector is appointed by the university board. The rector in turn appoints deans, and deans appoint heads of departments. There is no faculty senate and faculty is not involved in the appointment of rector, deans, or department heads. Hence, the university has no faculty governance.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.sdu.dk/Om_SDU/Organisationen/Bestyrelsen.aspx | title= Syddansk Universitets bestyrelse| access-date= 2009-11-20 }}</ref>
The current rector is Jens Ringsmose, and the current Pro-vice-chancellor ({{Langx|da|Prorektor}}) is Helle Waagepetersen.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rectorate|url=https://www.sdu.dk/en/om_sdu/organisationen/rektoratet|access-date=2022-10-31|website=University of Southern Denmark|language=en}}</ref>
==Campuses== thumb|The university's campus Odense, also known as ''The Rusty Castle'' <!-- Deleted image removed: thumb|New Sønderborg Campus, Alsion --> The University of Southern Denmark has six campuses, mainly located in the southern part of Denmark: campus Odense on the island of Funen, campus Slagelse and campus Copenhagen on the island of Zealand, as well as campus Kolding, campus Esbjerg and campus Alsion in Sønderborg, all on the Jutland peninsula.
The campus in Slagelse is officially being discontinued as of 2027, with the university citing issues finding another institution interested in taking over.<ref>{{cite web |title=FAQ about SDU Slagelse |url=https://mitsdu.dk/en/service/campusslagelse/faq |website=SDU |access-date=31 May 2024}}</ref>
The physical buildings of SDU cover an area of 272,554 m<sup>2</sup> (2007), a figure that has increased from 181,450 m<sup>2</sup> in 1999 when the university merger was implemented.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www1.sdu.dk/Adm/VirksRegnsk/Statbog/resultat/byg_arealer/ruter/arealerUniversitetetialtFrame.html |title=Statistical Yearbook of the University of southern Denmark |access-date=2008-11-18 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190717/http://www1.sdu.dk/Adm/VirksRegnsk/Statbog/resultat/byg_arealer/ruter/arealerUniversitetetialtFrame.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The university of Southern Denmark is an active member of the University of the Arctic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Members |url=https://www.uarctic.org/members/member-profiles/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=UArctic |language=en-US}}</ref> UArctic is an international cooperative network based in the Circumpolar Arctic region, consisting of more than 200 universities, colleges, and other organizations with an interest in promoting education and research in the Arctic region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.uarctic.org/about-us/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=UArctic - University of the Arctic |language=en-US}}</ref>
The university participates in UArctic's mobility program, north2north. The aim of that program is to enable students of member institutions to study in different parts of the North.<ref>{{Cite web |title=north2north |url=https://www.uarctic.org/activities/north2north/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=UArctic - University of the Arctic |language=en-US}}</ref>
==See also== * Open access in Denmark<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opendoar.org/countrylist.php?cContinent=Europe#Denmark |title=Denmark |work=Directory of Open Access Repositories |publisher=University of Nottingham |location=UK |access-date=11 March 2018 |archive-date=6 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206084105/http://www.opendoar.org/countrylist.php?cContinent=Europe#Denmark |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://www.sdu.dk/en/ University of Southern Denmark ] * [http://www.sdu.dk/bibliotek.aspx?sc_lang=en University Library of Southern Denmark ] * [https://www.facebook.com/tanuljdaniaban Tanulj Dániában - University of Southern Denmark - [Official Hungarian Community on Facebook] ] * [http://www.alsion.dk Alsion, The new campus building in Sønderborg ] * [http://www.ivkstudiet.dk/ Ivkstudiet.dk, International business communication site. ]
{{Odense}} {{Esbjerg}} {{Universities in Denmark}} {{Santander Network}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:University Of Southern Denmark}} Category:University of Southern Denmark Southern Denmark Category:Esbjerg University, of Southern Denmark Category:Universities and colleges established in 1998 Category:Buildings and structures in the Region of Southern Denmark Category:1998 establishments in Denmark Category:Universities and colleges formed by merger in Denmark