By Anna Diaz Korsaa, AAU Communication and Public Affairs. Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication and Public Affairs. Graphics: Søren Emil Søe Degn, AAU Kommunikation og Public Affairs.

On Monday, 2 September 1974, the first students crossed the threshold of AUC – Aalborg University Centre.

Today, 50 years later, approximately 77,000 students have left Aalborg University with a diploma in hand.

This will of course be celebrated throughout the year with various events. This article focuses on the first two: The official celebration for our partners in Musikkens Hus on 19 April, and an anniversary party (University Party) for staff and students on 31 May.

A tribute to education, research and knowledge collaboration

Every year, AAU holds a major event to celebrate the university's high-quality education and research, and – not least – collaboration with society. The annual celebrations are thus a tribute to education, research and knowledge collaboration – and especially to those that make this possible.

Therefore, AAU invites specially selected partners and people uniquely important to the university to take part in the ceremony. Particularly in an anniversary year, it is important to say thank you to all the partners who have supported the university’s development for 50 years. Collaborators who have welcomed our graduates, partnered with students in internships and project collaborations, joined research collaborations and shared knowledge with the university.

As a rule, the ceremony takes place in the afternoon on the same day as the University Party, and guests have the opportunity to join the evening festivities. This year, however, the two events are entirely separate, and the official ceremony will be held on 19 April at Musikkens Hus. The royal family is specially invited on the occasion of AAU's 50th anniversary, and the programme includes the presentation of awards and honorary doctorates.

-          The annual celebration ceremony is an opportunity to honour and celebrate all that we have achieved for the good of society. Both in terms of our talented graduates and our substantial results in research and innovation. The ceremony is also an opportunity to be with our many great partners from companies, authorities and political life to celebrate some of our many achievements, Rector Per Michael Johansen says.

The biggest party of the year

Since the University Party does not include our external partners this year, the event can accommodate even more of us. There will be tickets for 1600 people to attend the dinner and for up to 600 to enjoy the music.  Thus, up to 2,200 students and staff can celebrate AAU's 50 years together on 31 May in Aalborg Congress & Culture Center in what can only be called a festival atmosphere with two stages each in their own large hall.

The university party group has gone out of their way to make the evening even more special and spectacular this year, but the main elements remain: red carpet, delicious food, cocktail bar, photo booth and a live music program that everyone regardless of age can look forward to – this year on two stages! So keep an eye on social media where the music program will be announced around the start of ticket sales in week 10.

The invitation to the university party comes as a personal email invitation to staff and students, and ticket sales kick off immediately after on 4 March. A limited number of tickets are available, and tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis. The price is the same for everyone: students, staff and managers.

As usual, AAU students and staff from Esbjerg and Copenhagen can sign up for free transportation by bus to Aalborg and back again.

As mentioned, the anniversary year offers several events, including two of AAU's historians publishing a book on university history. More information about this to follow.