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Minister for Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund photographed in connection with the launch of the proposed agreement in the autumn at the University of Copenhagen. Photo: the Ministry of Higher Education and Science

Minister for Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund photographed in connection with the launch of the proposed agreement in the autumn at the University of Copenhagen. Photo: the Ministry of Higher Education and Science

02 Feb 2026 / Education and research

National agreement strengthens Kolding School of Design’s role in Danish innovation

The Government and a broad majority in the Danish Parliament have entered into a new national agreement aimed at ensuring that significantly more research is translated into innovation, entrepreneurship and solutions that create value for society and the business community. The ambition is to build stronger innovation ecosystems where knowledge, talent and collaboration can lead to new ideas, companies and sustainable growth.
By Marianne Baggesen Hilger

With the agreement, Kolding School of Design gains concretely improved conditions for translating research-based design knowledge into innovation in collaboration with companies, public-sector actors and entrepreneurs. This includes the development of new solutions, concepts and business models, where design contributes user insight, interdisciplinarity and the ability to turn complexity into action.

- I very much welcome the agreement, and I am pleased that it marks a clear political recognition of design and artistic research as a central part of Denmark’s innovative capacity. It strengthens our opportunities to contribute solutions to some of the major societal and business challenges, says Carina Christensen, Rector of Kolding School of Design, and continues:

- We look forward to further developing existing collaborations and to entering into new partnerships in which design plays an active role in creating innovation with real impact.

Read more and see the agreement on strengthened knowledge and technology transfer (in Danish)
Carina Christensen, Rector of Kolding School of Design, welcomes the new agreement and views it as an important political recognition of design and artistic research as a driving force for innovation. Photo: Kirsten Adler

Carina Christensen, Rector of Kolding School of Design, welcomes the new agreement and views it as an important political recognition of design and artistic research as a driving force for innovation.
Photo: Kirsten Adler