Finnish Council of University Rectors

Activity

The importance of research, technology and innovations is ever growing in the development of the society: they build competitiveness, economic growth, employment and well-being. The Finnish Science and Technology Policy Council under the Ministry of Education has drawn up a strategy for Finland on sustainable and well-balanced economical and social development. This requires constant interaction among the different parties of the research and development system. (Science and Technology Policy Council, Policy Report 2006; “Science, Technology and Innovations”)

The Finnish universities have a central role in implementing the national strategy. The aim of Universities Finland UNIFI is to influence the constant development of sustained higher education, research and financial policy and to ensure that the universities have sufficient economic and intellectual resources.

According to the decision of principle of the previous Finnish government on the structural development of the public research system (April 7th, 2005) the central goal of development for the entire research community is to internationalise education, research and innovation. UNIFI is involved in implementing this strategy.

Universities Finland UNIFI represents Finnish universities in various working groups and international organisations.

Emphasis of the activity in 2011

• follow-up the Finnish parliamentary election, 2011, and influence the new Government's programme and legislative plans in the coming parliamentary period.
• play an active part in preparing the next steering and funding period 2013-2016.
• sharpen UNIFI´s role as a cooperative spokesman for Finnish universities and get more involved into the preparation processes.
• emphasize internationalization as a high-priority objective
• facilitate co-operation with stakeholders, discuss actively with other actors and develop a network of partners with shared objectives.
• Promote sharing of information and create a culture of discussion.

Unifi can set up working groups to prepare important issues concerning universities.

In previous years, UNIFI (the former Finnish Council of University Rectors) has published a few more extensive statements on the future of Finnish universities:

2010 THESES. The reformed universities building a future for Finland. The Objectives of the Universities for the Government Programme 2011.

2006 AGENDA: Finland needs its universities: The Objectives of the Universities for the Government Programme 2007. (Download PDF) In the Agenda, three main areas for development were identified:

• the universities need long-term policies on education, research and finance
• the economical and judicial position of the universities has to be renewed while respecting their autonomy
• the university competitiveness requires strengthening in the international field of education and research

2005 MANIFESTO:  “We need a national development plan to secure the success of the Finnish universities since there is more international competition. The universities, government and the representatives of industry and commerce should build together the knowledge of the future”. (Download PDF)

2001 Quality in Focus: University rectors’ views on quality and its development Publications of the Finnish Council of University Rectors (Download PDF)