Helge Sander

Helge Mølsted Sander (born 27 August 1950) is a Danish politician.

He is the former Danish Minister of Science, Technology and Development (Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Denmark) (from 27 November 2001, as member of the Cabinet of Anders Fogh Rasmussen I, II and III).

During Sander's time as Minister of Science, he has been behind the implementation of a series of controversial reforms of Danish Universities: Under the heading of "from thought to invoice",[1] Sander has removed faculty and scientific personnel from the decision process and placed institutional power with an external board, having a majority of members appointed by the ministry.

[3] DM (Dansk Magisterforening) has submitted a complaint to UNESCO that this fails to comply with the 1997 UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher-Education Teaching Personnel, which the Danish Government has signed.

[6] As of November 2008, close to 50% of Danish researchers have signed a petition asking for improvement in working conditions and the protection of academic freedom.