Ellefsen was one of several applicants to the position, which was announced in May this year. AHO went from a system of elected to appointed rectorship in 2005. The nomination comitteee for the position wrote in its proposal to the Board:
"On the whole, the nomination committee finds Karl Otto Ellefsen by far the most qualified to the position. Seen in relation to the challenges AHO is facing and the tasks that must be solved in the coming period, a continuation of his term seems as the preferred solution".
- I am very happy to continue as Rector at AHO, says Ellefsen. He bases his view on the fact that there has been a general improvement in the delegation of responsibilities and administration in AHOs organisation over the last few years. Both the role of the head of institutes and the directors have become more defined.
- This process of change has not been completed, but seems very promising, he says. - From his, a new role of the Rector appears. This implies less administration, and more focus on strategic work, contact with society, international issues, building AHOs profile and not to mention focus on ensuring a strong financial and scientific base for research and development within design and architecture.
In addition, Ellefsen sees the new role of the rector that emerges more easy to combine with his own research and tuition. - I have missed the close, professional contact with our students, he states.
Karl Otto Ellefsen (b. 1948) is professor of Urbanism, educated at AHO and AA i London. He has worked at NTNU for several years, before starting at AHO from 1995. He has broad experience from tuition and research, and has been published widely within the fields of urbanism, architectural critique, urban history and urban planning. His current most important project is The History of Norwegian Urban Planning.
Karl Otto Ellefsen has been Rector of AHO for two periods, first as elected Rector from 2001-2004, and as appointed Rector 2005-2009. He has also previously been vice-rector of the institution.
The new term starts 01.01.2010.