The development of the ITU took off – processes were established, more programmes were created. In 2007, Software Development was launched as the first bachelor’s programme, followed by three more. Today, ITU accepts around 900 new students a year into its BSc, MSc and professional education programmes.
According to the first Vice Chancellor, many of the original principles are still present in the research and education, although things are done somewhat differently today than in 1999.
“You can't say that we were burdened with great quality considerations when we were starting out – we just had to get started! And we did, with the resources available. Gradually everything has been developed and bettered. ITU is a completely different place today than it was in 1999 in terms of the degree of professionalism that characterizes everything that goes on here,” says Mads Tofte, who in 2019 left the helm to his successor, Martin Zachariasen.
Mads Tofte’s hope for ITU's future is that the university remembers why it was created – because society needed something new.
“I hope for the IT University that it remembers its societal responsibility, because there is a huge responsibility resting on the shoulders of the university. But this is also what makes it fun to be here and what makes it worthwhile to be here. You can actually make a difference in Danish society if you do well at the IT University,” says Mads Tofte.