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for DTU’s study environment study environment   The study environment at DTU Lyngby Campus is buzzing with activity and social interaction. At least that is according to the latest study environment survey that has just been completed and uploaded onto the portal. Generally speaking, the students are happy and enjoy good social interaction with their fellow students and teachers. The survey carried out in October last year involved 2,915 students who completed the digital questionnaire. This represents a 30% response rate, which is high compared with similar surveys at other Danish universities. The survey results have subsequently been analysed by DTU Compute. DTU management is extremely pleased with the results of the survey, says Dean of Studies, Martin Vigild. “The survey shows that we are on the right track in our efforts to give the students the means to enjoy a rich and rewarding study environment. DTU must be a living ecosystem which the students and their teachers can increasingly exploit and enjoy”, says the Dean. According to Martin Vigild, the positive study environment at DTU is an asset in itself, helping to bolster teaching and attract new students to DTU. A win-win situation The student organisation, Polytechnical Association (PA), is also pleased with the survey results, says the newly elected chairman, Kim Louise Ettrup: “The responses in almost every category are generally positive, which pretty well matches what we see on a daily basis. I am not saying there is not room for improvement or that we should rest on our laurels, as the university is in constant development and it is important that the study environment keeps up”, she says. According to DTU Compute’s analysis of the survey results, the most important aspect for students is social interaction with fellow students and not feeling lonely. Ninetytwo percent of the students feel that they are happy on campus. The only fly in the ointment in connection with the psychological environment on campus is that some of the international MSc students sometimes feel lonely. This is understandable given that they are in a foreign country and a study environment DTU involved in two major historic research projects EU grants  R esearchers from DTU are involved in both research projects, which received the biggest ever research grants in January. The European Commission awarded the two projects over EUR 1 billion each as part of the EU’s ‘Future and Emerging Technologies’ research programme, whose goal is to promote research in information and communications technology. The two projects that won the competition for grant funding are the ‘Graphene Project’ and the ‘Human Brain Project’. Each project brings together scientists from at least 15 EU member states and close to 200 research institutions. The ‘Future and Emerging Technologies’ programme is part of Horizon 2020, the EU’s new programme for research and innovation, which according to the European Commission's proposal will award EUR 80 billion or DKK 600 billion up until 2020. Over the next decade, the two projects will deliver what the European Commission calls ‘world-class research’ in the frontier between science and technology. Brain simulation The goal of the ‘Human Brain Project’ is to map the human brain and build a computer that can simulate the the brain. Inspired by the complexity of the brain, the project will lead to a much greater understanding of the brain and its diseases, and is also expected to revolutionise computer technology. More than 80 research institutions are participating in the project. DTU’s role is to help understand the brain’s interaction with the body and the surroundings so that we cease to study the brain solely as a separate, abstract entity. Will create jobs and new opportunities As the name suggests, the ‘Graphene’ project centers around the material graphene. The goal is to introduce the new wonder material into society where it can create jobs and new opportunities. Graphene was invented about ten years ago and won two English professors the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010. “We are very proud to have been involved from the outset in this mega-project, which brings together the cream of Europe's graphene research community. Approximately 1,000 research groups expressed an interest in the Graphene Project, but only 76 institutions made the cut. DTU is involved in two of the project's 11 work packages”, says Professor Antti-Pekka, Leader of the Centre for Nanostructured Graphene (CNG). According to DTU’s President Anders Bjarklev, DTU’s participation in the two megaprojects shows “that despite our relatively small size, we are a world-class university collaborating with major heavyweights”. - Maria Viskinde og Henrik Larsen At the start of the year, EU awarded the biggest ever research grants to two ground-breaking projects. DTU is involved in both projects. where people already have a large social network. However, generally speaking, the international students also feel welcome and enjoy good social interaction with fellow students and teachers, according to the survey. According to Martin Vigild, the well-being of the international students will be one of the future focus areas to be addressed. - Maria Viskinde og Henrik Larsen The Study Environment Survey showed a high level of student satisfaction. DTU will soon have ‘quid pro quo’ fund that will improve the study environment even more. Learn more Martin Vigild Dean bachelordekan@adm.dtu.dk Kim Louise Ettrup Chairman, PA kim@pf.dk Ulrik Okkels Study Division, Office for Study Programmes and Student Affairs ulro@adm.dtu.dk Read the report on the Study Environment Survey on the portal. 4


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