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A strong board elected for the University of Helsinki

The Election Collegium of the University of Helsinki has elected a new Board for the University. The Board consists of 13 members: seven from the academic community and six from outside the University.

From outside the University, the elected members of the Board are Ari Helenius, Eero Huovinen, Jaana Husu-Kallio, Gunvor Kronman, Jorma Ollila and Antti Tanskanen.

In the Board, Elina Ikonen, Markku Leskelä and Arto Mustajoki will represent the professors, Juhana Aunesluoma and Ragna Rönnholm the other staff, and Lauri Ahokas and Johanna Ahola the students of the University.

The Chair and the Vice Chair of the Board will be chosen at the organising meeting of 19 August 2009.

Thomas Wilhelmsson, Rector of the University of Helsinki, is satisfied with the new Board.

”The members of the Board have diverse expertise in the various sectors of society, from the business world to cultural life, in addition to research and teaching. This kind of Board provides excellent support for the University of Helsinki’s strategic objective to be one of the best research universities in the world.”

The Board is the highest decision-making body in the University of Helsinki. It will begin its operations already in August, and one of its first tasks is to elect a new Rector for the University. The Board’s term of office will continue until the end of 2013. The term of the current Board (the University Senate) of the University of Helsinki will end at the end of 2009.

According to the new Universities Act, the tasks of the Board include deciding on the central objectives of the University’s operations and finances, the strategy, the operative principles, the operational and economic plans, as well as the budget and the financial statements. Its operation includes significant financial responsibility. In addition, the Board elects Rectors, approves the University statutes and other agreements that are significant or principled for the University, and decides on the University’s operational structure. It also decides on the number of students to be selected in the University.

The Election Collegium of 50 members elected the Board of the University. The Collegium consists of the representatives of the University’s professors, the teaching and research staff, other staff and students.

Presentation of the board members and press photos >>

Listen to Collegium's Chairman, Professor Markku Kulmala's, interwiev online

Text: Jorma Laakkonen
Photo: Veikko Somerpuro
10.8.2009
www.helsinki.fi/digitalcommunications

Translation: AAC Noodi Oy