Obituary: Jens Hugger

Jens was born on December 1st 1958 in Esbjerg. He grew up in Aalborg in Northern Jutland and graduated in 1983 from Aalborg University with a master’s degree in mathematics with a minor in Physics. After a teacher training course in high school he went to University of Maryland, College Park where he became PhD student under the supervision of Ivo Babuska. He graduated in 1990 with a thesis with the title: Computational Aspects and Adaptive Solution Methods in the Finite Element Method for Non-Linear Parametrized Problems.

After a year of temporary positions at Aalborg University and at the University of Maryland, Jens was appointed assistant professor in August of 1991 at the Department of Mathematics at the University of Copenhagen. He worked here the rest of his too short life except for sabbaticals abroad at the University of Pavia, TICAM University of Texas, Austin, Queensland University of Technology and University of Maryland. He was promoted to associate professor in 1995.

When Jens was appointed in Copenhagen, numerical analysis had gained importance at the mathematics department due to the recent inauguration of a program in mathematics-economy. As the only numerical analyst Jens taught the introductory courses in numerical analysis and the course on numerical solutions of differential equations as well as other computer science oriented courses. He also supervised more than 30 bachelor’s and master’s theses. His last paper which he wrote together with his PhD student Sima Mashayekhi was published in 2015.

However, at the University of Copenhagen Jens will probably be remembered primarily for his long and committed involvement with the mathematical educations. He was the head of the Mathematics-Economy study board from 1996 to 2001, head of the study board for mathematical sciences 2002-2007, head of the study board for all bachelor studies in science 2007-20012 and finally head of the study board for mathematics and computer science 2012-1015.

In these positions he combined an unparalleled knowledge of administrative rules and content of the courses with a flexible and student friendly approach. The organization of many science study programs and in particular those in the mathematical sciences bear a clear imprint of Jens’ wise decisions.

Jens was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the summer of 2015. While on sick leave he sent many updates about his conditions to his colleagues. They were always optimistic; but unfortunately optimism was not sufficient. His helpful, engaged, engaging and friendly presence will be strongly missed at the department.

Jens’ wife and three children survive him.