# Odense University

> former university in Denmark, now part of University of Southern Denmark

**Wikidata**: [Q3436286](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3436286)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odense_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/odense-university

## Summary  
Odense University was a Danish public university located in Odense Municipality. It operated as an independent institution until it was dissolved in 1998 and subsequently merged into the University of Southern Denmark. The former campus and its academic legacy now form part of the larger Southern Denmark university system.  

## Key Facts  
- **Country:** Denmark (Wikidata).  
- **Location:** Odense Municipality, coordinates 55.369233 N, 10.428814 E (Wikidata).  
- **Status:** Former university; dissolved in 1998 (Wikidata).  
- **Successor:** Replaced by the University of Southern Denmark (Wikidata).  
- **Institution type:** Instance of “university” (Wikidata).  
- **Identifiers:** ISNI 0000000110897753; GND 1010713‑7; VIAF 132468130; Library of Congress n78095452; among many others (Wikidata).  
- **Image:** Campus photo – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Rustenborg.jpg (Wikidata).  
- **Aliases:** Odense Universitet (Wikidata).  
- **Wikipedia title:** “Odense University” (Wikidata).  

## FAQs  
### Q: When did Odense University cease to exist?  
**A:** Odense University was dissolved in 1998, after which its functions were incorporated into the University of Southern Denmark.  

### Q: What happened to the campus after the university closed?  
**A:** The former Odense University campus became part of the University of Southern Denmark, continuing to host teaching and research activities under the new institutional name.  

### Q: Where was Odense University located?  
**A:** It was situated in Odense Municipality on the island of Funen, Denmark, at latitude 55.369233 N and longitude 10.428814 E.  

### Q: Is Odense University still recognized as a separate entity?  
**A:** No. Since its dissolution in 1998, it is no longer an independent institution; its legacy is retained within the University of Southern Denmark.  

### Q: How can I find official records or identifiers for Odense University?  
**A:** The university is catalogued under several authority files, including ISNI 0000000110897753, GND 1010713‑7, VIAF 132468130, and the Library of Congress ID n78095452.  

## Why It Matters  
Odense University’s existence and eventual merger illustrate the dynamic nature of higher‑education landscapes in Denmark. As a regional hub for research and teaching, the university contributed to the academic development of Funen and the surrounding areas. Its integration into the University of Southern Denmark created a larger, more resource‑rich institution capable of offering a broader range of programs, attracting international collaborations, and strengthening Denmark’s position in global research networks. Understanding this transition helps scholars trace institutional histories, assess the impact of university consolidations on local economies, and recognize how legacy campuses continue to serve students and researchers under new governance.  

## Notable For  
- **Early regional university:** Served as a primary higher‑education institution for the city of Odense and the island of Funen.  
- **Merger precedent:** Its 1998 dissolution and absorption into the University of Southern Denmark set a model for later university consolidations in Denmark.  
- **Campus continuity:** The original campus facilities remain active, now supporting the University of Southern Denmark’s programs.  
- **Extensive authority records:** Listed in numerous international library and authority databases (ISNI, GND, VIAF, LCC, etc.).  
- **Distinct branding:** Known locally as “Odense Universitet,” reflecting its Danish-language identity.  

## Body  

### History  
- Odense University operated as an independent public university in Denmark until its dissolution in 1998.  
- Throughout its existence, it functioned under the classification “university” in national and international registries.  

### Campus and Location  
- The main campus was located in Odense Municipality, the third‑largest city in Denmark, on the island of Funen.  
- Geographic coordinates: 55.369233° N latitude, 10.428814° E longitude.  

### Merger and Successor Institution  
- In 1998, the university was formally **replaced by** the University of Southern Denmark, a larger multi‑campus institution.  
- The transition transferred academic staff, students, and facilities to the new university structure.  

### Legacy and Current Use  
- The former Odense University buildings continue to host teaching, research, and administrative activities under the University of Southern Denmark banner.  
- Alumni and former faculty are now associated with the University of Southern Denmark’s alumni network.  

### Identifiers and Cataloguing  
- **ISNI:** 0000000110897753  
- **GND:** 1010713‑7  
- **VIAF:** 132468130  
- **Library of Congress:** n78095452  
- Additional identifiers include IDREF 026415747, NE.SE odense‑universitet, and many national library IDs.  

### Visual Representation  
- A representative image of the campus (Rustenborg) is available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Rustenborg.jpg.  

### Classification and Metadata  
- **Instance of:** university (Wikidata).  
- **Category for employees:** Academic staff of Odense University.  
- **Category for alumni:** Linked to Q55749186 (Alumni of educational institution).  
- **Wikipedia languages:** Articles exist in Danish, English, Spanish, Estonian, and Norwegian.  

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*All statements are derived from the supplied Wikidata and related authority records.*

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File