University of Southern Denmark Sønderborg attracts world-class studens and researchers

One of the pioneering research projects underway at SDU in Sønderborg is the development of organic solar cells. It is a new type of solar cell which requires far less energy to produce, is more environmentally friendly, and is easier to use than the current solar cells, since it functions as a foil that can be stuck to a surface.

In another project, researchers and students are optimizing electrolytic cells in the so-called power-to-X process, so that the renewable energy source can be utilized even better than it is today.

The most international campus in the country

The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) in Sønderborg has approximately 1,300 students and welcomes hundreds of new students every year, including many from abroad. This has fostered an international study environment with over 50 different nationalities, leading to a vibrant and dynamic city where students are keen to reside and build their lives after finishing their education, according to Henrik Bindslev.

“Our international program has a unique advantage. Students not only acquire academic skills, but also develop strong social and cultural competencies by interacting and collaborating with peers from diverse nationalities and backgrounds. Consequently, our  (master of science in) engineering graduates are in high demand, with almost all of them securing employment within three months of graduating. This aspect is also a major draw for young people,” Henrik Bindslev explains, and continues:

“In most campuses around the world, as a foreigner, you would usually be part of a small minority. However, in Sønderborg, it’s different. You’ll find yourself in a mini United Nations, where encountering different cultures and languages is the norm. This creates a welcoming and secure environment for foreign students, where your cultural background is highly respected and valued. You also have the opportunity to collaborate with and form friendships with people from various countries. For Danish students, it’s a unique chance to gain genuine international exposure and develop skills to thrive in a globally connected world,” says  Henrik Bindslev.

Humanities and Business and Social Sciences too

SDU in Sønderborg is renowned for training exceptional engineers, but they offer more than just electronics, mechanics, and robot design.

Students can also study business, social and humanities courses like European Studies, International Business Economics, HA, International Cand.merc., or individual business subjects as well as improve their skills in subjects such as global marketing, international cooperative relations, and economics.”

Anna Marie Dyhr Ulrich, head of studies for the social programs at SDU in Sønderborg, believes that this composition creates an optimal environment for healthy and interesting studies on campus.

“It provides a good culture and atmosphere. People come from different backgrounds and have diverse career paths, which provides a strong culture and a positive atmosphere. A university should be buzzing with commitment. And it will when there is a foundation of meaningful discussions. This is especially true when students have varying interests,” she explains.

Anna Marie Dyhr Ulrich highlights the  Faculty of Engineering’s significant success, which is positively affecting other areas of study.

She notes, “We are benefiting from this progress and are making great strides, particularly with our international students.”

Making progress despite decline in other areas

Dean Henrik Bindslev emphasizes the remarkable progress in the education programmes in Sønderborg. This progress is notable because it is happening at a time when attracting enough students can be challenging due to small youth cohorts.

He believes that the university’s success in this regard can be attributed to the creation of an international study environment and its partnership with businesses and Sønderborg Municipality. This collaboration ensures high professional quality and prepares graduates to meet the current needs in the area.

This also means that there are excellent opportunities for graduates to land exciting jobs immediately after completing their education, says Henrik Bindslev.

“We have companies in the area that are world leaders in automation, e-mobility, and energy efficiency. Therefore, there is great interest in creating a food chain of qualified, well-educated profiles, making it favorable to run and grow companies in the area. This provides students with optimal opportunities for a strong start to their careers, and it gives Sønderborg good chances of retaining young people in the area,” says Henrik Bindslev.

In 2023, the campus in Sønderborg experienced a remarkable 87% increase in applicants compared to the previous year, with the engineering programmes alone attracting 2,372 applicants, more than double the previous year’s numbers.

The university is expecting further progress in enrolling new students in 2024.

To accommodate more applicants, the university is working on expanding its facilities. Additionally, there are plans to create 800 new student housing units in the city of Sønderborg in order to improve the student and youth environment.