Department of Mathematics and Computer Science - IMADA, SDU

Meet some of the faces behind the IMADA Study Council ✨

From building stronger student communities to preserving IMADA traditions (and yes, improving the coffee situation ☕), our new Study Council is already full of ideas, motivation, and student spirit.

Over the next weeks, we’ll introduce the students behind the council and share what matters most to them when it comes to student life at IMADA.

Say hi to Lykke and Johannes 👋

A group of IMADA students recently visited the International Women in Mathematics conference in Aarhus ✨

The conference brought together students, researchers and professors from different universities across Denmark to exchange ideas, listen to inspiring talks and connect with people sharing the same passion for mathematics.

Several people from & also gave presentations, including professors Shan Shan, Kristin Courtney and Jing Qin, as well as PhD student Katrine von Bornemann and master student Jesper Tinghus.

But the conference was not only about research. It was also about conversations, meeting new people, finding inspiration and experiencing how open and welcoming the mathematics community can be 💛

We are also very excited that next year’s conference will take place here at SDU, with IMADA involved as organisers.

More information about the conference and programme:
https://sites.google.com/view/woman-conference-2026/aarhus-may-7-8-2026

Read one of the student reflections below 👇

The IMADA Study Council is powered by students with ideas, humour and a lot of engagement ✨

This time, we are introducing Simon and Fruzsina and sharing a little bit about what motivates them, what a good study environment means to them and, apparently… some unexpected movie references 🍿😆

More faces coming soon 💛

Abdullah Akgül, IMADA, will publicly defend his PhD thesis:

“Probabilistic Reinforcement Learning for Sample-Efficient Control”

📅 Monday 18 May 2026
🕐 1:15 PM
📍 U181 (Ø22-601b-2), SDU

Everyone is welcome to attend and join us in celebrating this milestone.

Abdullah Akgül, IMADA, will defend his PhD at a public lecture: “Probabilistic Reinforcement Learning for Sample-Efficient Control” on Monday 18 May 2026 at 1:15PM in U181 (Ø22-601b-2) at SDU.
You are welcome to join!

IMADA students have elected a new Study Council 🎉🥳

We had the chance to sit down with them and talk about their goals, ideas, and what they want to improve for students 😊🧐

Get a first look at the team and what they’re working on.
Over the next weeks, we’ll also introduce each member individually ✨

!!!Surprise🥳!!!

We surprised Inge Huus to celebrate 25 years working for the Danish state, and 10 of those years at IMADA 🥳🌸

Inge is part of the study administration and a key point of contact for both our researchers and students. She is known for her warm and approachable way and is always ready to help.

The flowers couldn’t have been more fitting for someone who enjoys gardening — and yes, the surprise worked- she did not see us coming🤓

Dear Inge - Thank you for your dedication over the years!!
IMADA is so lucky to have you 🙌🏻

Thank you for a fantastic Day of Research (Forskningens Døgn) at Syddansk Universitet – University of Southern Denmark, where the whole campus was buzzing with life, curiosity, and inspiring encounters between research and society.

At IMADA, we covered a wide range of topics today – from playful mathematics for children and the wonders of the quantum world, to live AI coding sessions, guided tours of our supercomputer facilities, and discussions about artificial intelligence, media, and truth.

However two activities were especially popular.

Our Little Research School of Mathematics welcomed children and families throughout the day, with more than 400 children stopping by to explore, play, and discover that mathematics can be creative, hands-on, and fun.

There was also strong interest in the guided tours of the supercomputer facilities, where visitors gained a rare look into the digital infrastructure supporting research in AI, climate science, health data, and quantum technology.

Thank you to all visitors, students, researchers and alle other colleagues who helped make the day so great!

Katrine Bergkvist Borch defends her PhD thesis at a public lecture: “Fra monstrøs metode til didaktisk værdi: Æstetik, omsorg og naturbaserede læringsmiljøer i naturfagsundervisning?”.

PhD defence:
Katrine Bergkvist Borch, IMADA, will defend her PhD at a public lecture: “Fra monstrøs metode til didaktisk værdi: Æstetik, omsorg og naturbaserede læringsmiljøer i naturfagsundervisning?” Wednesday 22 April 2026 at 1:00PM in U221 (V16-700a-0) at SDU.
You are welcome to join!

Maiken Westen Holm Svendsen defends her PhD thesis at a public lecture: “Mod en mere sammenhængende evalueringskultur i matematikfaget på HTX – STEM-forløb mellem læring, kompetence og viden”.

Maiken Westen Holm Svendsen, IMADA. will defend her PhD at a public lecture: “Mod en mere sammenhængende evalueringskultur i matematikfaget på HTX – STEM-forløb mellem læring, kompetence og viden”
Wednesday 25 March at 1:00PM in IMADA Conference Room (Ø18-509-2) at SDU.
You are welcome to join!

IMADA Future 2026 is officially wrapped up.
Our institute was full of energy, conversations and new connections between students and the professional world waiting for them. There is something special about seeing students and companies meet face to face and realize how well their expectations and skills actually match.
The program featured inspiring talks from alumni and a strong lineup of companies and organizations looking for exactly the competencies our future graduates bring. From finance and healthcare to energy, software, robotics and production, the range was broad and the conversations continued throughout the entire afternoon.
Peter B.V. Lehnsburg, who has been organizing IMADA Future for the ninth time shared, “IMADA wants to bring students and companies closer together so students can better understand what is expected of them outside university life”.
One Applied Mathematics student in the fourth semester said, “It was very helpful to receive direct feedback and practical insights from companies about how his skills could be relevant and valuable in a professional setting.”
IMADA Future exists to open doors, build real connections and show the many different paths our graduates can take.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, both familiar faces and new ones.
We are already looking forward to next year.