By Jane Grønning Johansen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs.
Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni and photo by Hans Ravn

Aalborg University creates value in the billions in the North Denmark Region. The importance of the university's knowledge production and presence in the region is estimated at a value of DKK 8.7 billion annually. This corresponds to 4.9 per cent of the North Denmark Region's GDP. This is shown by a new analysis prepared by Iris Group for Aalborg University.

Every year, Aalborg University provides labour and knowledge collaboration to North Jutland companies; entrepreneurs originate from Aalborg University; and thousands of new students every year begin a degree programme at AAU. This is enormously important to the North Jutland economy and thus the region's opportunity for growth and development.

According to Per Michael Johansen, Rector of Aalborg University the analysis underscores the university's importance and significance in society, especially in the North Denmark Region.

"Aalborg University provides knowledge, labour and talent and thus leaves a clear mark on Northern Jutland's growth and development. I am proud that AAU has grown from being a regional university to being a university with extensive national and international collaboration, which benefits both the North Denmark Region and the rest of Denmark," says Per Michael Johansen.

AAU affects almost 30,000 North Jutland jobs

The importance of the university is clearly seen in Northern Jutland's employment. In 2021, there were 23,397 employees in the private and public sectors in Northern Jutland with a degree from Aalborg University. This is central to the growth and competitiveness of companies, as a highly educated labour force increases labour productivity.

In 2021 alone, AAU generated 6,547 full-time jobs in Northern Jutland.

Although Aalborg University has a positive influence on the labour market in Northern Jutland, more productivity is needed. The North Denmark Region lags furthest behind in productivity compared to the rest of Denmark’s regions. It is thus vital that Aalborg University continues to contribute to the region's development through research and by educating the workforce, especially for Northern Jutland, says Per Michael Johansen.

"Over the next 50 years, Aalborg University will help to advance the development and growth of Northern Jutland even more. AAU annually educates 3,000 talented young people who contribute to innovation and new thinking and who create higher productivity in both industry and the public sector. And Northern Jutland needs that," says Per Michael Johansen

AAU contributes nationally and internationally

In addition to creating substantial value for the North Denmark Region, Aalborg University's research, education and knowledge production extends far beyond Northern Jutland.  

Researchers at Aalborg University last year – with new research and knowledge on genetic defects – helped to acquit Kathleen Folbigg of Australia of the murders of her children in one of the world's most publicized criminal cases.

During the coronavirus pandemic, researchers at Aalborg University also analyzed COVID-19 tests around the clock. This work helped not only Denmark and the Danish handling of the pandemic but also the entire world in dealing with different variants of the coronavirus.

"Every year, innovative researchers at Aalborg University create new knowledge, often in close collaboration with colleagues from the international research arena. I am proud that researchers from Aalborg University produce knowledge and research at the highest level on many agenda-setting topics, and I am convinced that the university will have even more of an impact in an increasingly complex world," says Per Michael Johansen and continues:

"For example, several of the university's researchers provide knowledge and conduct research that ensure more efficient smartphones and wind turbines. This is incredibly important in an age where technology dictates both the present and the future."

Aalborg University has been named Europe's best engineering university for several years in a row, and the university has received top positions several years in a row in the internationally recognized Times Higher Education rankings – a list assessing the contribution of universities to sustainable development and social progress in a broad sense.

In 2023, AAU placed ninth overall compared to last year's 31st. In addition, last year, AAU was ranked second on SDG 17 on partnerships and SDG 4 on quality education.  

Read more about Aalborg University's impact on the North Denmark Region here (in Danish)