Annual University Celebration speech 2026

Your Majesty.

Dear Minister, Chair of the Regional Council, mayors, Board and partners.

Dear employees and - not least - dear students.

Over these days and weeks, we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the University of Southern Denmark. At the time, in 1966, it was under the name Odense University.

At the inauguration, Your Majesty's grandfather, King Frederik IX, gave a speech. And when he declared Odense University open, he ended with a sentence that sounds almost like a manifesto:

'Just as the sun breaks through the black clouds in the beautiful Helios overture, I also wish that the sun, which is the source of all life, will shine on the future of Odense University.'

That sentence is not easily forgotten.

In general, however, people tend to forget about Annual Celebration speeches. Recently, I asked a couple of good friends what they remembered from my Annual Celebration speech in 2025.

'Didn't you say something about Nielsine Nielsen and "six-seven"?'

That's correct. But maybe not quite what I would have liked them to remember.

So I consulted a skilled speechwriter and was given the following advice: 'Create unforgettable images in people's minds, be honest - avoid self-congratulation - and present one main point. Give them the naked, unvarnished truth.'

I will now attempt to do that. To create unforgettable images in your minds.

First of all, I would like to ask you to imagine the naked truth standing here behind the rostrum. Metaphorically speaking, of course. … For Heaven's sake, only metaphorically.

Next, I will refrain from telling you about all the amazing things that emanate from this University. The temptation is great. But I will avoid resorting to self-congratulation and self-praise.

Instead, in puris naturalibus, I will tell you about something we still do not well enough - at SDU, in Denmark and in Europe: research-based innovation. I will give you the naked, truthful speech.

The naked, plain truth is that Danish research generates too few companies and jobs. The Danish universities deliver lots of excellent research. But new knowledge and technologies are not translated into inventions, patents and new companies often enough.

This is a problem for the Danish and the European economy.

But there's something else and bigger at stake: Europe's and Denmark's ability to shape our own future. Strategic autonomy and room for manoeuvre. Freedom.

And that is my main point: the innovation efforts of Danish universities are ultimately about Europe's independence. Not just about business.

In Denmark, we have a singular ability to think and act like petty traders.

We joined the European Community in order to be able to export bacon to the UK.

We opted out of the Monetary Union because it was 'the best deal'.

And we spent as little as possible on the Danish defence during the Cold War. After all, it was the American security guarantee that mattered.

And today, we tend to talk about research-based innovation as if it is only about jobs, growth and business.

We prefer - like the petty traders we are - to keep our feet firmly on the ground. To ask: what does it mean for the bottom line?

But it would be a mistake only to talk about innovation as a matter of growth, jobs and business.

Because there is more at stake than business. It is about the foundations of our freedom.

The Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently phrased it eloquently, with inspiration from a Goethe quote: 'Nur der verdient sich Freiheit wie das Leben, der täglich sie erobern muß'. Freedom and life must be earned every single day.

At the universities, too, we need to understand that there is more at stake than just business. That Europe's freedom is being challenged. By authoritarian forces, by technological dependency and by hybrid threats. As a university, we must have the courage to talk about our research and innovation as a contribution to Europe's strategic autonomy. Without blushing.

At SDU, we must educate a larger number of entrepreneurial graduates. We must strengthen the collaboration between researchers and companies. We must help more researchers translate ideas and inventions into solutions. And we must encourage even more students to create their own companies.

Not just because it's good for business. But because Europe's integrity and freedom are at stake.

And for once, we cannot blame the politicians. Because extra funds have been allocated to innovation, and legislation is being prepared that will give universities new opportunities.

And therefore there is good reason to thank the Minister for Science, Higher Education and Digitalisation, Christina Egelund. Because in this context, as in others, you are a strong, intelligent and important ally to the universities.

At the universities, we know that we can be a bit troublesome and headstrong. Some might even call us 'complaining know-alls'. It may, in fact, be somewhat difficult to like us. Since I'm in the process of giving the naked, honest speech…

This is why we were both surprised and enthusiastic at the universities when it became clear that you would be staying on as minister for our area. 'We can't believe she didn't run away. Maybe she actually cares about us?' people were saying in the corridors. It can be hard to believe, but it undeniably seems to be the case. Thank you, Minister!

It is also fitting to extend a big and heartfelt thank you to all of you who make SDU function and develop every day. To those of you who research, teach and make sure everything supporting our core tasks runs smoothly.

Thank you for always setting the bar high. Thank you for being and wanting SDU.

We will also remember 2026 for the loss of University Director Thomas Buchvald Vind. A loss that reminded us that a university is ultimately not only created by strategies and buildings, but by people. By talented people who are ambitious on SDU's behalf every day.

Finally, I would like to thank SDU's Board - it has been a pleasure working with you in the past year. Your support, leadership and trust-based approach are highly appreciated.

A special thank you to the chair, Søren Vilby, who - as you heard - has just given his last Annual Celebration speech.

I greatly appreciate our cooperation, Søren. Your ability to cut to the heart of a complex case, advise and ask the right questions when passions are running high, is unmatched.

It is clear that you are genuinely fascinated by academia and the world that many of us inhabit every single day. This has been a great joy to experience.

The naked, plain truth is that it has been an exquisitely great pleasure to act under your wing, Søren.

60 years ago, His Majesty King Frederik IX wished that the sun would shine on the future of Odense University. That wish came true.

The sun has truly been shining on SDU since 1966.

Thank you for your attention.