Science Round-Up: University steps up to help battle pandemic

Across Denmark, universities this week have been involved in a number of exciting new competitions, projects and studies.

Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) has again stepped up its COVID-19 testing capacity with a new agreement committing itself to the analysis of 10,000 tests per day. With roughly 30,000 tests being carried out on a daily basis, this will correspond to a third of the nation’s total capacity.

Since April, the centre has been analysing coronavirus tests for 14 hours every day, but with this new agreement a further night team will be added in order to expand its capacity.

Mass testing is an important part of the Danish response to the pandemic, and DTU have the facilities to ensure that more tests and faster analyses can be conducted. With cases again on the rise, such improvements will calm the nerves of many.


A schedule for victory
Two PhD students from DTU and their supervisor claimed victory at this year’s International Timetabling Competition. The competition revolves around creating an algorithm to resolve a scheduling problem and takes place over many different rounds and challenges.

Innovation unit launched in Central Jutland 
Aarhus University has teamed up with a number of local organisations and businesses to establish a new innovation unit promoting entrepreneurship and collaboration in the region. In particular, the unit aims to further develop food, health and environmental technologies, for which the area is world-renowned in its expertise.

DTU developing Arctic show home
A new test house has been developed in Nuuk by DTU with the intention of discovering whether it is possible and appealing to build houses with an indoor and outdoor climate under the same roof. Through the use of a special new climate screen, the team behind the project have created two separate environments within the same building. Over the next two years, researchers will test to see if such a building is beneficial to Arctic residents.

Fancy mould
According to researchers at the University of Copenhagen, Danes consider the development of mould to be an indicator of quality food and argue that there has been a shift in the last half a century with regard to perceptions of food purity. Where previously soil and mould were considered ‘unclean’, nowadays there is instead a new tendency to shun the unnaturally sterile.




  • Analysis shows that many students from Bangladesh are enrolled in Danish universities

    Analysis shows that many students from Bangladesh are enrolled in Danish universities

    Earlier this year, the Danish government changed the law on access for people from third world countries to the Danish labor market. Yet, there may still be a shortcut that goes through universities

  • Danish Flower company accused of labor abuse in Türkiye

    Danish Flower company accused of labor abuse in Türkiye

    Queen Company, a Denmark-origin flower producer with pristine sustainability credentials, is under fire for alleged labor rights violations at its Turkish operation, located in Dikili, İzmir. Workers in the large greenhouse facility have been calling decent work conditions for weeks. The Copenhagen Post gathered testimonies from the workers to better understand the situation

  • Advice for expats: Navigating Life as an International in Denmark

    Advice for expats: Navigating Life as an International in Denmark

    Beginning this month, Expat Counselling will be contributing a monthly article to The Copenhagen Post, offering guidance, tools, and reflections on the emotional and social aspects of international life in Denmark. The first column is about Strategies for emotional resilience

  • New agreement criticized for not attracting enough internationals

    New agreement criticized for not attracting enough internationals

    Several mayors and business leaders across Denmark are not satisfied with the agreement that the government, the trade union movement and employers made last week. More internationals are needed than the agreement provides for

  • Let’s not fear the global – let’s use it wisely

    Let’s not fear the global – let’s use it wisely

    Copenhagen’s international community is not just a demographic trend – it’s a lifeline. Our hospitals, kindergartens, construction sites, laboratories and restaurants rely on talent from all over the world. In fact, more than 40% of all job growth in the city over the past decade has come from international employees.

  • The Danish Connection: Roskilde gossip, a DNA scandal & why young Danes are having less sex

    The Danish Connection: Roskilde gossip, a DNA scandal & why young Danes are having less sex

    With half of the population of Copenhagen at Roskilde this week, Eva away in Aalborg and the weather being a bit of a joke , Melissa and Rachel bring you a chatty episode to cheer you up looking into three of the top stories in Denmark this week.

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.


  • “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    Describing herself as a “DEI poster child,” being queer, neurodivergent and an international in Denmark didn’t stop Laurence Paquette from climbing the infamous corporate ladder to become Marketing Vice President (VP) at Vestas. Arrived in 2006 from Quebec, Laurence Paquette unpacks the implications of exposing your true self at work, in a country that lets little leeway for individuality

  • Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Agreement between unions and employers allows more foreign workers in Denmark under lower salary requirements, with new ID card rules and oversight to prevent social dumping and ensure fair conditions.

  • New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    Kadre Darman was founded this year to support foreign-trained healthcare professionals facing challenges with difficult authorisation processes, visa procedures, and language barriers, aiming to help them find jobs and contribute to Denmark’s healthcare system