DTU’s student association will embrace all students

Relocation of study programmes was one of the big items on the education and research agenda in 2021. It is now also making its mark on the visions of the new Board in DTU’s student association Polyteknisk Forening (PF).

In the wake of the Danish Government’s proposal to provide more and better education and training opportunities in Denmark, DTU has presented a plan to establish a digital university and expand study programmes, activities, and residential colleges throughout Denmark. These initiatives will also have consequences for DTU’s students. Therefore, the PF Board’s 10 visions for 2022 comprise both inclusion and security, says Andreas Ispsen, the new President of the Board:

“As an association, PF must embrace all DTU students. No matter where they come from, what they are studying, or what campus they attend. With the planned relocations, the students will study at more locations than previously. Therefore, we will work to ensure that students have optimal conditions for a happy student life at the future places of study.”

Ballerup and Sisimiut

In addition to taking care of students at new places of study, PF will also focus on greater involvement of students from DTU Ballerup Campus. The objective is to organize more events and activities in Ballerup and improve transport between DTU in Lyngby and Ballerup. Furthermore, PF wants to focus on DTU students in Greenland, where engineering students come from all over the world to study their Arctic Semester at Arctic DTU Sisimiut.

“During the past year, we established a student council in Sisimiut. Although the students are far away, they are still part of PF. We want to give them a sense of being part of PF and help them establish themselves when they move to Denmark. We can use the experience of Sisimiut when other small campuses or halls of residence are established in connection with the university relocations,” says Andreas Ipsen.

Diversity and inclusion

He says that diversity and inclusion are just as important to PF as they are to DTU. In addition to embracing students from the many new locations, it is also about creating equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, culture, education, any disability, and other differences.

In line with the group of students becoming increasingly diverse, PF will therefore also offer more types of events and activities. The objective is that everyone is to be able to find value in being part of the student association, says Andreas Ipsen:

“Our visions are ambitious, but not unattainable. But if we are to meet our goals, we will need help and support. We are therefore looking forward to working with all of you in 2022.”