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It
is indeed a pleasure for me to welcome this initiative, which
offers our students, staff, and guests the opportunity to
take part in an arrangement where the subjects under discussion
are of worldwide importance, and where the speakers are of
worldwide renown.
The
University of Aarhus prides itself on its academic tradition,
and emphasizes the value of international cooperation in all
fields. The good standing of the university was of course
further enhanced in 1997, when professor emeritus Jens Christian
Skou received the Nobel Prize in chemistry.
The
four speakers at this seminar meet one another here for the
first time. They have all of them had the experience of being
pioneers within their special fields, which are as diverse
as African chimpanzees, retroviral infections, evolutionary
and ecological systems, and the sodium-potassium pump.
Professors
Jane Goodall, David Baltimore, Niles Eldredge and Jens Christian
Skou have all met with opposition to their work and their
points of view - and may do so still. One could argue, however,
that that proves the core of academic traditions: research
seen as a voyage of discovery towards new goals and new understandings,
no matter which opinions and conceptions you carry along.
I
am proud that these four eminent scientists have agreed to
make a stopover at the University of Aarhus on that voyage,
and I hope the seminar will give all participants the thrill
of being pioneers - at least for a day.
Niels Christian Sidenius
Rector
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