New Rector: Roskilde University Should Be Zealand’s University

The Board of Roskilde University has appointed Rasmus Antoft as the new Rector. He joins the university from a position as Dean at Aalborg University and will take up the post on 1 March.

With the appointment of Rasmus Antoft, Roskilde University will get a rector with extensive leadership experience and a deep understanding of the role of universities at a time when societal challenges are becoming increasingly complex. His experience includes responsibility for establishing new degree programmes and academic environments, as well as developing strong regional and international partnerships.

A university with strong roots in Zealand

Rasmus Antoft sees great potential in Roskilde University’s anchoring in the Region of Zealand and in the university’s unique position as the only university located outside Denmark’s four largest cities:

“Roskilde University must increasingly be the university for all of Zealand. The university should become even better at addressing the challenges faced by businesses and municipalities across the region. This means going out to the municipalities – for example to Holbæk – and asking what they are struggling with? And then contributing with concrete solutions that support development and growth in the region. This can only be achieved through close collaboration,” says Rasmus Antoft.

Chair of the Board Dea Forchhammer states:

“We are very pleased to welcome Rasmus Antoft as the new Rector. He is exactly what Roskilde University needs, with his strong leadership profile and a clear understanding of the university’s strengths and considerable potential. The Board looks forward to working with him to strengthen Roskilde University’s academic quality and research impact – regionally, nationally and internationally.”

A crucial phase of development

According to the new Rector, Roskilde University is entering a decisive phase of development, in which the university must both renew itself internally and present a clearer external profile. Key priorities include strengthening innovation capacity – for example within student entrepreneurship and welfare innovation – reforming degree programmes and sharpening the strategic direction of research.

He also aims to make the university’s contribution to society more visible and to strengthen its presence in public debate:

“We need to enhance the university’s impact. We already contribute strong research and knowledge that make a real difference, but this should be more visible. Recently, Roskilde University established a new Centre for Societal Security and Resilience, where researchers work closely with actors responsible for societal preparedness. This is a clear example of how university research can contribute directly to addressing major societal challenges,” says Rasmus Antoft.

The current Rector, Hanne Leth Andersen, will step down on 1 March after 12 years in the position, having served three consecutive terms.