Programme and sessions

Spring forum programme has been published in early March. Please note that changes are possible.
Session descriptions

You can download spring forum session descriptions in the link below. 

Monday, 12 May 2025

12.00 Screening of a documentary "Academic Resilience Stories from Ukraine". Free entrance, no pre-registration. Venue F3005 at the University of Helsinki Main Building
13.00 Helsinki University Museum Flame / Guided tour (in Finnish). Register in advance. 
13.00 University of Helsinki Main Building / Guided tour (in Finnish). Register in advance.  
14.00 ThinkCorner / Guided tour (in English). Register in advance.
14.00 Observatory / Guided tour (in Finnish).  Register in advance. 
14.00 National Library (guided in Finnish). Register in advance. 
15.00 University of Helsinki Main Building / Guided tour (in Finnish). Register in advance.  
15.00 University of Helsinki main library (guided in Finnish).  Register in advance.  

Network meetings will take place on Monday, May 12, 2025, between 9 am-6 pm. The network chairperson or the meeting convener is responsible for the meeting's communication and inviting participants. Deadline for submitting a network meeting proposal was on 17th of January and we are not accepting any late submissions.

The actual Spring Forum program begins on Monday evening with a reception hosted by the City of Helsinki from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

All networking meetings will be held at the main building of the University of Helsinki, located at Aleksanterinkatu 5. Rooms starting with 'F' are located in the new part of the main building, while rooms starting with 'U' are located in the old part of the main building.

Network Meetings: open for all 

The following networking meetings are open to everyone – welcome:

Klo 12.30-14.00 Luve-verkoston verkostotapaaminen (Studium 1 (F3020))
Klo 13.00-14.00 Integration Support Services in HEIs / Asettautumisen tuen parissa työskentelevät korkeakouluissa (U4072)
Klo 13.00-16.00 FIN Mobility-Online Users  (U4080)
Klo 14.00-16.00 TraiNet-tapaaminen: missä mennään kv.harjoittelussa? (U3039)
Klo 14.30-17.00 Kansainväliset yhteis- ja kaksoistutkinto-ohjelmat ja European University Alliances – yhteistutkinnot  (F3005)
Klo 15.00-16.30 Erasmus+ KA2- ja KA3 -hankehakemusten hakuvaiheen tuki korkeakouluissa (U3031)
Klo 16.00-18.00 Yliopistojen kv-hapa (U3039)

Network Meetings: by invitation only 

The following network meeting participation is by invitation only:

Klo 10.00-12.00 Erasmus+ liikkuvuuden kehittämisryhmä (U4080)
Klo 10.00-16.00 FUNIntl (U2071)
Klo 11.00-12.30 Study in Finland meeting (Studium 1 (F3020)) 
Klo 13.00-14.30 Yliopistojen Afrikka-toimijat (aiemmat Afrikka-globaaliverkostot sekä muut kansalliset Afrikka-toimijat) (U3031)
Klo 14.00-15.30 north2north-yhteyshenkilöiden tapaaminen (U4062)   
Klo 14.00-16.00 HERENET (Studium 1 (F3020))  
Klo 14.00-16.00 OHA-forumin kv-ryhmä (U3029)   
Klo 14.00-16.00 Talent boost Task Force (U4072)   
Klo 14.00-17.00 FARMi - Finnish Universities’ Recruitment and Marketing (U4075)   
Klo 16.00-18.00 SIMHE-ohjaajaverkoston tapaaminen  (U4072)
Klo 16.00-18.00 Pinnet-verkoston tapaaminen (Studium 1 (F3020)) 

The City of Helsinki requests the pleasure of your company at a reception on Monday 12 May 2025 from 19.00 to 20.30 on the occasion of the Spring Forum for Higher Education International Affairs. There is a separate pre-registration for the reception. Please present the QR code of the ticket at the entrance. You will find link to the ticket from the confirmation sent by City of Helsinki.

Venue: Helsinki City Hall, Banquet Hall, Pohjoisesplanadi 11-13. 

 

Tuesday, 13 May 2025

Venue: Foyer 1 & 2, 2nd floor

Venue: The University of Helsinki Great Hall, Aleksanterinkatu 5

Opening words: Sari Lindblom, Rector of the University of Helsinki UH
Greetings from the Finnish National Agency for Education: Minna Kelhä, Director General, EDUFI
Keynote: Henrik C. Wegener, Rector of the University of Copenhagen 2017-2025
Video Greeting: Student Voices
Music Performance: Flok 

The opening ceremony will be moderated by Anna-Maria Salmi, University of Helsinki.

All sessions will be held at the main building of the University of Helsinki, located at Aleksanterinkatu 5. Rooms starting with 'F' are located in the new part of the main building, while rooms starting with 'U' are located in the old part of the main building.

1A: Use more humor, be more human: some unusual tricks to remain sane in the International Office (90 min)
Venue: F3017 (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Workshop by Britta Piel, Head of Unit, Center for International Cooperation, Freie Universität Berlin 
 
1B: Bringing together sustainability and ethical perspectives in responsible Internationalisation (90 min)
Venue: Studium 1 (F3020) (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Tino Johansson, Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, University of Helsinki 
Kaisa Kurki, UniPID - Finnish University Partnership for International Development Coordination Unit 
Anahita Rashidfarokhi, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Helsinki 

1C: Making Erasmus+ more sustainable with Green Travel (90 min)
Venue: U4072 (the old side of the Main Building, 4th floor)
Stefan Baumeister, Jyväskylän yliopisto 
Ágnes Stojcsics, Jyväskylän yliopisto 

1D: Going Global the Sustainable Way: Real-Life Examples of Responsible Internationalisation (60 min)
Venue: F3010 (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Anne-Mari Karppinen , Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences 
Laura Sjöblom, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences 

1F: Aligning Ambitions: Digital Transformation Across Alliances and Institutions (60 min)
Venue: Tekla Hultin (F3003) (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Antti Turpeinen, Helsingin yliopisto 
Patrik Maltusch, Aalto yliopisto 
Sami Hautakangas, Tampereen yliopisto 

1G: Miten eurooppalaisen korkeakouluyhteistyön toimintaedellytyksiä kehitetään? Kuulumisia työryhmätyöskentelystä (60 min)
Venue: Small Hall (F4050) (the new side of the Main Building, 4th floor)
Maija Airas, OPH
Päivi Bosquet, OKM 
Maija Innola, OKM 
Anni Kallio, OPH 
Kaisu Piiroinen, OKM

1H: Miten suomalaiset korkeakoulut voivat osallistua Global Gateway - opettajuusaloitteeseen? (60 min)
Venue: U4075 (the old side of the Main Building, 4th floor)
Anne Hämäläinen, Opetushallitus 
Iina Soiri, Opetushallitus 
Annina Rintakumpu, Opetushallitus 
Hanna Laitinen, JAMK

1I: Kv-hakemusmaksun vaikutukset ja tuottojen ohjaaminen hakijakokemuksen parantamiseen (90 min)
Venue: F3005 (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Johanna Kärki, Turun yliopisto 
Henna Närhi, OKM 
Mikko Eronen, OPH
Joanna Kumpula, Tampereen yliopisto 
AMK-sektorin puheenvuoro

1J: Achieveable higher education studies and seamless services - Examples of the advancements and impact of the Talent Boost programme (90 min)
Venue: Karolina Eskelin (U3032) (the old side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Rebekka Nylund, Helsingin yliopisto
Hanna Saarela, Oulun yliopisto
Oksana Kuikka, Helsingin yliopisto
Mirkka Henttonen, Helsingin kaupunki

Agora (1st floor), Fuksi (1st floor) and Foyer Rectoria (2nd floor)

All sessions will be held at the main building of the University of Helsinki, located at Aleksanterinkatu 5. Rooms starting with 'F' are located in the new part of the main building, while rooms starting with 'U' are located in the old part of the main building.

2A: Data, Transparency, Diversity, Authenticity, GDPR, Trust, What Not – What do we really talk about when we talk about ethical student marketing and recruitment? (90 min)
Venue: Small Hall (F4050) (the new side of the Main Building, 4th floor)
Sanna Heikkinen, Oulun yliopisto 
Anna Kuikka, University of Eastern Finland 
Sari-Anne Hämäläinen, Lapland University of Applied Sciences 
Miia Vanhainen, LUT University 
Suvi-Anni Huhtinen, University of Turku 
Sarianne Vihakara, HAMK University of Applied Sciences 

2B: Best practices of Erasmus+ international credit mobility: partner universities’ viewpoint (60 min)
Venue: Tekla Hultin (F3003) (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Raisa Asikainen, University of Helsinki 
Anastasiia Pozhar, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv 
Margaret Maliszewska, Queen's University 
Werner De Wit, Stellenbosch University 

2C: Miltä näyttää korkeakouluopiskelijoiden kv-liikkuvuus vuonna 2035? (90 min)
Venue: Studium 1 (F3020) (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Katri Salmi, Haaga-Helia ammattikorkeakoulu 
Sofia Lähdeniemi, Metropolia-ammattikorkeakoulu 
Riikka Lindholm, Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu 
Maarit Haukka, Haaga-Helia ammattikorkeakoulu 
Mari Pohjola, OPH 

2D: Kansainvälisen yhteentoimivuuden tiekartta ja yhteiset toimintaperiaatesuositukset (90 min)
Venue: F3010 (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Airi Hirvonen, Haaga-Helia AMK 
Heta Koski, Jyväskylän yliopisto 
Jukka Kohtanen, CSC - Tieteen tietotekniikan keskus oy 

2E: Global outreach of the European University Initiative: partnerships with Africa (90 min)
Venue: U4072 (the old side of the Main Building, 4th floor)
Annika Sundbäck, EDUFI 
Melissa Plath, University of Helsinki 
Pia Le Grand, Åbo Akademi University 

2F: How to make European University alliances online course offering sustainable? Conditions for Flexibility and Uniformity (90 min)
Venue: F3017 (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Melina Nummi, Aalto-yliopisto 
Niina Huovinen, Metropolia 
Mirjam Gamrasni, Haaga-Helia 
Eeva Pennanen, Oulun yliopisto 
Juhani Moisio, Jyväskylän yliopisto 

2G: Strategic Cooperation in Integration Services for International Degree Students in Smaller Finnish Cities (90 min)
Venue: F3005 (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Andres Mendez, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SeAMK) 
Szilvia Simon-Nagy, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) 
Andres Mendez, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SeAMK) 
Sofia Behluli, Centria University of Applied Sciences 

2H: Kielituettu harjoittelumalli ja toiminnallisesti kaksikielinen korkeakoulutus - uusia ratkaisuja työvoimapulaan (90 min)
Venue: Karolina Eskelin (U3032) (the old side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Hanna Repo Jamal, Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu 
Hanna Lenkola, Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu  
Pia Kukkonen, Helsingin ja Uudenmaan sairaanhoitopiiri (HUS) 
Anna Sievers, Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu 

2I: Finnish Higher Education in China: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (60 min)
Venue: U4075 (the old side of the Main Building, 4th floor)
Hanna Isoranta, Finnish National Agency for Education  
Lukia Yang, Finnish National Agency for Education 

Agora (1st floor), Fuksi (1st floor) and Foyer Rectoria (2nd floor)

All sessions will be held at the main building of the University of Helsinki, located at Aleksanterinkatu 5. Rooms starting with 'F' are located in the new part of the main building, while rooms starting with 'U' are located in the old part of the main building.

3A: Tulevaisuuden vihreämmät vaihdot 
Venue: F3010 (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Emmi Kemppainen, LUT-yliopisto/LAB-ammattikorkeakoulu 
Tiina Savuaho, LUT-yliopisto/LAB-ammattikorkeakoulu 
Marjut Summanen, LUT-yliopisto/LAB-ammattikorkeakoulu 
Jani Kohonen, LUT-yliopisto/LAB-ammattikorkeakoulu 

3B: Vaihto-opiskelijoiden saavutettavuuskäytännöt korkeakouluissa – mitä on tehty ja mitä voimme oppia toisiltamme? 
Venue: U4075 (the old side of the Main Building, 4th floor)
Tarja Virta, Turun yliopisto 
Heli Rahko, Turun yliopisto 
Jenni Mäkelä, Helsingin yliopisto 
Leena Mattila, Jyväskylän yliopisto 

3C: Beyond Mobility: The Added Value of European Alliances for Higher Education Students 
Venue: Karolina Eskelin (U3032) (the old side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Stinne Vognæs, Una Europa / University of Helsinki 
Milla Koivulahti, RUN-EU / HAMK 

3D: Eurooppalaisen digitaalisen identiteetin lompakon mahdollisuudet koulutussektorilla 
Venue: U4072 (the old side of the Main Building, 4th floor)
Kristiina Laipio, Opetushallitus 
Tuire Vuolasvirta, Digi- ja väestötietovirasto 
Anu Kosloff, Digi- ja väestötietovirasto 

3E: Miten vaikutamme laadunhallintaan alliansseissa – suomalaisten korkeakoulujen viestit kansalliseen ja eurooppalaiseen keskusteluun 
Venue: F3005 (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Rebekka Nylund, Helsingin yliopisto 
Sirpa Moitus, Kansallinen koulutuksen arviointikeskus Karvi 
Päivi Aronen, Helsingin yliopisto 

3F: Collaboration in times of uncertainty: the future of Finnish-U.S. university relations
Venue: Studium 1 (F3020) (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Mari Olafson Lundemo, University of Helsinki 
Petri Koikkalainen, Finnish Embassy Washington DC 
Charlotta Collén, Hanken
Katja Stephenson, University of Oulu
Kirsi Kettula, Aalto University

3G: Impactful Institutional internationalisation – what’s in your toolbox? 
Venue: Tekla Hultin (F3003) (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Maaria Manyando, University of Helsinki 
Irinja Paakkanen, University of Turku 
Anna-Maria Salmi, University of Helsinki 
Ari-Pekka Kainu, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, SAMK 

3H: Eri roolit ja vastuut työelämään mukaan tulemisessa ja pääsemisessä – yksilön, työnantajan, yhteisöjen ja instituutioiden näkökulmat 
Venue: F3017 (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Anne Kuparinen, Satakunnan ammattikorkeakoulu 
Maiju Kinossalo, Seinäjoen ammattikorkeakoulu 
Tiina Leino, Satakunnan ammattikorkeakoulu 

3I: Tuition fees are changing: How do we continue to recruit quality students? 
Venue: Small Hall (F4050) (the new side of the Main Building, 4th floor)
Joanna Kumpula, Tampere University 
Valtteri Laitala, University of Helsinki 
Marco Ricciarelli, Flywire 

17:45 The doors of the Old Student House (Mannerheimintie 3) open. Please bring your event pass. 
18:30 Welcome remarks 
18:45 Buffet dinner 
19:45 Bingo game
20:15 Dessert and coffee 
20:45 Music and dancing with Leoparty band 
22:00 The event concludes (organisers can provide suggestions for further venues if you wish to continue the evening with colleagues elsewhere)

Wednesday, 14 May 2025

All sessions will be held at the main building of the University of Helsinki, located at Aleksanterinkatu 5. Rooms starting with 'F' are located in the new part of the main building, while rooms starting with 'U' are located in the old part of the main building.

4A: Virtual teaching and learning – pedagogy and strategies for participatory and inclusive practices in North-South collaboration 
Venue: U4075 (the old side of the Main Building, 4th floor)
Kaisa Kurki, UniPID – Finnish University Partnership for International Development/University of Helsinki 
Laura Riuttanen, Climate University, Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), University of Helsinki 
Stinne Vognæs, Una Europa, University of Helsinki 

4B: Dream Collaboration: What Do We Need for Building Innovative Partnerships between Finnish and African Higher Education Institutions 
Venue: F3010 (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Maaria Manyando, University of Helsinki 
Veera Virmasalo, Embassy of Finland, Pretoria 

4C: From Weak Signals to fully grown Mega Trends: How is the Operating Environment Evolving for Strategic Global Collaboration? 
Venue: Karolina Eskelin (U3032) (the old side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Kirsi Kettula, Aalto University 
Jerome Rickmann, Aalto University 
H.E. Mr. Mohammed Al-Jabir, Embassy of Qatar, Helsinki
H.E. Mr. Takashi Okada, Embassy of Japan, Helsinki
Bob Smith,  George Washington University
Mari-Anna Suurmunne, LAB University of Applied Sciences

4D: Yliopistojen opintohallinnon käytänteet kv-yhteistyötutkinto-ohjelmissa 
Venue: Tekla Hultin (F3003) (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Mari Ikonen, Jyväskylän yliopisto 
Heta Koski, Jyväskylän yliopisto 
Eija Kujanpää, Aalto-yliopisto 
Esko Koponen, Helsingin yliopisto

4E: Mission Impossible? Defining and measuring impact of European University Alliances 
Venue: Studium 1 (F3020) (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Melissa Plath, University of Helsinki 
This session is planned without speakers, but rather as an opportunity for in-depth discussion between participants, facilitated by the moderator. 

4F: Connecting research and practice. Conceptualizing support and services design for international degree students in Finnish universities. 
Venue: F3017 (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Elizaveta Arzamastseva, University of Jyväskylä  
Anduena Ballo University of Jyväskylä  
Elisa Pratesi University of Jyväskylä 

4G: Mielikuva vs todellisuus: miten vastaamme kv-hakijoiden odotuksiin? 
Venue: Small Hall (F4050) (the new side of the Main Building, 4th floor)
Erja Widgrén-Sallinen, Itä-Suomen yliopisto 
Anna Jetsu, Itä-Suomen yliopisto 
Outi Väyrynen, Itä-Suomen yliopisto 

4H: Eettinen rekrytointi Suomeen – osaamisen tunnistaminen ja tunnustaminen korkeakoulujen palveluna 
Venue: F3005 (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Liisa Toivonen, TFK Kaakkois-Aasia  
Mika Tirronen, TFK Kaakkois-Aasia  
Marja Remes, Metropolia 
Ville Luoma, Helsingin yliopisto
Kaisu Piiroinen, OKM

Agora (1st floor), Fuksi (1st floor) and Foyer Rectoria (2nd floor)

All sessions will be held at the main building of the University of Helsinki, located at Aleksanterinkatu 5. Rooms starting with 'F' are located in the new part of the main building, while rooms starting with 'U' are located in the old part of the main building.

5A: European Science Diplomacy Agenda and Concrete Steps, CASE Austria and Team Finland Knowledge Network (60 min)
Venue: U4072 (the old side of the Main Building, 4th floor)
Tiina Vihma-Purovaara, Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Finland 
Martina Hartl, Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research 
Veera Virmasalo, Embassy of Finland, Pretoria 

5B: Supporting Higher Education in Ukraine - addressing future needs (90 min)
Venue: F3010 (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Maija Airas, Opetushallitus 
Irinja Paakkanen, Turun yliopisto 
Larysa Chovnyuk, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy 
Outi Tomperi, Opetushallitus 

5C: Vastuullisuuden vaateet kansainvälisessä opiskelijarekrytoinnissa - missä ollaan nyt? (90 min)
Venue: F3005 (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Francesca Cucinotta, Centria 
Ahmed Hamad, LAB 
Sarianne Vihakara, HAMK 
Harri Lähdekorpi, OPH 
 
5D: Miten teillä valitaan vaihtoon? Keskustelua erilaisista painotuksista opiskelijavaihtoon valittaessa (90 min)
Venue: Tekla Hultin (F3003) (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Auli Pitkänen, Jyväskylän yliopisto 
Laura Laamanen, Jyväskylän yliopisto 
Heidi Säävuori, Helsingin yliopisto 
Emilia Hattula, Hanken Svenska handelshögskolan 

5E: Experiences and challenges of the joint bachelor programmes of the university alliances (60 min)
Venue: U3039 (the old side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Outi Väyrynen, Itä-Suomen yliopisto 
Laura Karilainen, Helsingin yliopisto 
Stinne Vognaes, Helsingin yliopisto 
Agnieszka Kuszaj 
Students of the Una Europan Bachelor of European Studies 

5F: Walk a Mile as an International Student: Creating Welcoming Spaces by Understanding International Student Experiences  (90 min)
Venue: F3017 (the new side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
Paige Livingston, University of Helsinki 
Rika Yamada, University of Helsinki 
Cari Monroe, University of Helsinki 
Sanchi Mehra, University of Helsinki 

5G: Rohkeasti eteenpäin – Uusilla rooleilla ja yhteistyöllä sujuvampaa ohjausta sekä pitovoimaa kansainvälisille korkeakouluopiskelijoille (90 min)
Venue: Small Hall (F4050) (the new side of the Main Building, 4th floor)
Terhi Kipinä, Tampereen yliopisto 
Victoria Laaksonen, Tampereen kaupunki 
Laura Sairanen, Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu 
Taru Väisänen, Karelia-ammattikorkeakoulu 
Aino Korhonen, Karelia-ammattikorkeakoulu 
Mia Sevonius-Male, Karelia-ammattikorkeakoulu 

5H: Towards flexible multilingualism! (60 min)
Venue: U4075 (the old side of the Main Building, 4th floor)
Miia Ijäs-Idrobo, The Union of Research Professionals 
Melissa Plath, University of Helsinki  
Derek Ruez, Tampere University 

5I: Kansainvälistymisen osallisuutta edistämässä (90 min)
Venue: Karolina Eskelin (U3032) (the old side of the Main Building, 3rd floor)
AnneSophie, Hokkanen Opetushallitus 
Sami Niemelä, Opetushallitus 
Hanna Liisa Hakala, Aalto-yliopisto 
Tiina Piipponen, Metropolia 
Leena Mattila, Jyväskylän yliopisto

Agora (1st floor), Fuksi (1st floor) and Foyer Rectoria (2nd floor)

Venue: The University of Helsinki Great Hall, Aleksanterinkatu 5

Keynote: Korkeakoulutuksen ja tutkimuksen visio 2040 – vastuullinen kansainvälisyys
Sirkku Linna, Director General, Ministry of Education and Culture

Panel discussion: Usko, toivo, kansainvälisyys: miten rakennamme tulevaisuutta yhdessä? 

  • Moderator: Liselott Lindström, journalist
  • Sirkku Linna, Director General, Ministry of Education and Culture
  • Esa Hämäläinen, Director of Administration, University of Helsinki UH 
  • Tuija Brax, Director of the Rule of Law Center, University of Helsinki UH 
  • Teemu Kokko, Rector, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences 
  • Emilia Uljas, Social Influencer and Listed in "30 under 30"

Announcing the Spring Forum 2026

Closing remarks: Hanna Snellman, Vice Rector of the University of Helsinki UH

Music Performance: Lyran

The closing ceremony will be moderated by Heidi Säävuori, University of Helsinki.

Foyer 1&2 (2nd floor), Agora