The University of Helsinki's new Africa program 2021-2030 takes our interaction with African partners to a new level. Through equal, long-standing and mutually beneficial partnerships we aim to intensify our collaboration and engagement in research, education and impact for a more sustainable and equal world.
We have diverse expertise and almost one hundred scholars working on Africa-related research on our campuses.
We are about to launch fascinating new initiatives in the near future. One of the is the Global Innovation Network for Teaching and Learning, which will involve several Finnish universities and universities of applied science, coordinated by the University of Helsinki. Another example is the One Health Early Career Champions Mentoring Program for doctoral students.
Read more about the program, our new initiatives and dive into the wide-ranging expertise present at the University!
The University of Helsinki (UH) is a community of research and learning based on courageous thought and dialogue with a mission to seek new knowledge and enable solutions. We believe that knowledge and learning are for everyone. Our ambition is to increase our global impact and build a more sustainable world together with our African partners.
The University of Helsinki has versatile research in Africa. We build on groundbreaking basic research, open-minded curiosity and cooperation that transcends boundaries to address the key challenges of our times: mitigating climate change, preserving biodiversity, using natural resources sustainably, safeguarding health and wellbeing, enhancing quality education and maintaining social cohesion.
KEY ACTIONS
Kenya is among top-5 countries in our research collaboration. Since 2011, we have a research station in Taita Hills, Kenya. The University of Nairobi is our most important Kenyan university partner with strong research co-operation in several fields. A strategic partnership will be kicked off with the University of Nairobi.
KEY ACTIONS
Currently, the University of Helsinki has around one hundred degree students from Africa (2019). Many more study as exchange students, at the Open University or in Helsinki Summer School. Our programs offer tuition on African languages, Global South, sustainability and tropical forestry, as examples.
The University has capacity building projects especially in Kenya.
The University's centre for continuing and transnational education HY+ is keen to develop its actions in Africa.
KEY ACTIONS
THE ONE HEALTH EARLY CAREER CHAMPIONS PROGRAMME supports the cultivation of talent and career advancement of early career researchers at the University of Helsinki and University of Nairobi, with a focus on mobility, mentoring and entrepreneurial skills. The program is open for doctoral students in all disciplines and faculties with a focus on One Health.
UH provides exciting exchange opportunities for students and staff. We have exchange agreements with several African universities (2020):
KEY ACTIONS
UH will cultivate its global responsibility and sustainable development by active engagement with key stakeholders. It will develop education collaboration and support the improvement of skills in developing countries.
KEY ACTIONS
The University of Helsinki has versatile and impactful collaboration with several Chinese universities in a range of fields.
Our collaboration dates back to the 1980s when the first Memorandum of Understanding with Peking University was signed. Now we are building new initiatives and strenthening our collaboration in research and education.
Our particularly strong collaboration areas include
Peking University is our strategic partner since 2015. Read more about our partnership with Peking University
The Global Innovation Network for Teaching and Learning (GINTL) brings together dedicated researchers and practitioners from Finland and our partners from China, India and the African continent.
We want to contribute towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 4: “Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.
WHAT:
Our goals are to
HOW:
Operations and co-development of the network are guided by clear, jointly agreed goals and ethical principles formed by the participating Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences together with partners in the African countries, India and China.
GINTL is a global pilot network created within the internationalization program introduced by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture in 2020. The University of Helsinki coordinates cooperation with Africa and China and the University of Jyväskylä coordinates cooperation with India.
Contacts:
GINTL AFRICA:
GINTL CHINA:
GINTL INDIA:
The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture’s Global programme includes several networks active in Africa.
To find out more about our sister networks, visit: FAPI, SAFINET and EDUCase.
Coordinators: University of Helsinki and University of Jyväskylä.
Finnish university partners: Aalto University, Tampere University, University of Arts Helsinki, University of Eastern Finland, University of Lapland, University of Oulu, University of Turku, University of Vaasa, Åbo Akademi University
Finnish university of applied sciences partners: Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Häme University of Applied Sciences, Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, Karelia University of Applied Sciences, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Novia University of Applied Sciences, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Turku University of Applied Sciences.