Farewell interview: Time to sit on the other side of the table

Nikolaj Malchow-Møller started two weeks before the Annual Celebration in 2019, where he had to deliver his very first speech to employees, collaborative partners, the CBS Board and the Minister of Science and Education. The speech featured a story from his childhood about a football match between Hvidovre and Juventus.

Nikolaj Malchow-Møller still remembers the butterflies in his stomach and the speculation about whether some people in the audience would find that part trivial. However, the message was about internationalisation, and the newly appointed president aimed to convey that communication about political issues from a university podium can still be done in an informal manner.

Later that year, he had invited then-CBS professor Pedro Oliveira to visit the pharmaceutical company Roche in Avedøre Holme, Hvidovre. Pedro Oliveira later recounted how he had expected at least a taxi to pull up in front of CBS since he was going with the university president.

Instead, he went on a bus ride and changed at Friheden Station. That was how Nikolaj Malchow-Møller wanted it, and this commanded so much respect from Pedro Oliveira that he ended up writing an article about it in a newspaper in Portugal, his home country.

The most significant milestone

Each in their own way, these examples illustrate the departing president's approach to the university world. CBS must engage in dialogue with society at large, for which reason the university has an obligation to communicate in a relevant and understandable manner.

The university also has a responsibility to spend the taxpayers' money properly, and for Nikolaj Malchow-Møller, this includes the use of public transportation during business hours – especially when green transition is one of the university's focus areas.

Overall, in his almost five years as president, Nikolaj Malchow-Møller has committed to making CBS credible and relevant to the outside world. Society should command attention at CBS, and CBS should command attention in society. For the same reason, he considers the strategy adopted by the CBS Board the year after his appointment as the single most important milestone in his time at CBS.

"The strategy frames the future of CBS. It responds to society’s expectations of us; that our students are transformative and possess more than just the classic business skills and that our research is excellent but also contributes to addressing society's significant challenges and opportunities," says Nikolaj Malchow-Møller.

"People having the opportunity to realise their potential has always been close to my heart

 Nikolaj Malchow-Møller

Lifelong learning is lifeblood

One of the university's strategic cornerstones and a very special focus area for Nikolaj is lifelong learning.

"People having the opportunity to realise their potential has always been close to my heart and a rapidly changing job market and the prospect of most people living longer and retiring later present a need for new learning models. We will have to learn new things throughout our lives," says Nikolaj Malchow-Møller.

Therefore, he believes that especially the university sector will undergo significant changes in the coming years.  The model in which the universities offer a five-year education meant to last an entire working life is outdated, and the way we engage in continuing education will also undergo a massive overhaul. The traditional evening school will be challenged by entirely new and individualised learning formats, just as there will likely be more providers and collaborative partners in the picture.

The new job

“CBS has traditionally been a strong player continuing education, and we have plenty of ideas for new formats. We are embarking on a series of pilot projects to develop new learning activities,” says Nikolaj Malchow-Møller, emphasising that the development of lifelong learning must be in close partnership with the business community.

Which leads us to his new job. As part of Deloitte's management, he will lead efforts to strengthen and develop their work on lifelong learning. Deloitte hires approximately 500 graduates from universities each year, and they already invest considerable resources in further educating their talents.

”With the upcoming education reform, corporate responsibility for higher education and lifelong learning will only increase, but it is a responsibility that Deloitte is happy to take on. I will be involved in designing the learning journey – also together with the universities,” says Nikolaj Malchow-Møller and adds:

”Just like CBS, Deloitte understands that lifelong learning is also about formation and personal development; that it is closely linked to leadership, career paths, well-being and diversity.  Many of the issues we also have at CBS. And I look forward to working with the universities from the other side of the table.”

Parting words

“If I am to try something else, now is a good time.

Nikolaj Malchow-Møller

At this moment, many of Nikolaj’s other priorities could be mentioned: Increased interdisciplinarity. Entrepreneurship. Internationalisation. The importance of creating value to society. However, there should also be allowed room for a couple of farewell remarks from Nikolaj Malchow-Møller.

First, what he will miss the least about leaving the university world:

”The many changing political winds and reforms. In my almost 10 years as dean and president, I have experienced 8 different ministers – one of them I actually never managed to meet. Universities are super tankers. It takes time to change direction. There is a need for long-term political frameworks if we are to develop them for the benefit of society. I hope that becomes the case for my successor.

Second, how he feels about leaving CBS:

”Clearly, it is not easy. But I have also turned 50 and been through a course of disease that makes me reflect on life and how fragile it is. If I am to try something else, now is a good time. But I will miss the many interesting, talented and creative colleagues and not least collaborating with our ambitious and responsible students.”

”Of course, I will also miss not being able to contribute to seeing some of the important things from the strategy through to completion. But I am confident that management and colleagues will take care of that together. I look forward to observing CBS from the sidelines and celebrating the achievements.”