International competition between universities for researchers, students, research funding, donations as well as recognition will continue to increase. The quality of research and teaching, and the reputation thus achieved, will be decisive factors in the recruitment of students and staff alike.
By the year 2025, the University of Helsinki aims to have established itself as a cutting-edge research and learning environment that attracts students, researchers and partners from all over the world. A high-quality infrastructure and extensive digital resources will enable creative work in the academic community. The University will bolster its key research areas by collaborating with its international partners.
In the midst of great challenges and changes, political and social demands on universities will become more pronounced. Universities must be able to develop education further in accordance with the competence demands and labour market needs of the future. Today’s students will be solving tomorrow’s challenges. Digitisation and technological advances in general will open up new opportunities for conducting research and offer novel methods for teaching and learning.
The University of Helsinki’s objective is that in 2025, the focus will be on the students. The University will offer its students competitive degree programmes and degrees of broader scope than before. Right from the beginning of their studies, students will have the opportunity to participate in research.
The environment the University is operating in is in a state of upheaval, which requires that the University be able to continuously reform itself. Because of the tightening economic situation, the University must seek funding from various national and international sources. Hence, the University must be able to redirect its operations according to the changing environment.
The University of Helsinki’s objective is that in 2025, it will be acclaimed for its open and experimental culture. The staff will be offered opportunities for professional development to meet the changing needs of the operating environment. The University will be flexible in seeking funding from various sources.
The University of Helsinki focuses on strong basic research. The University will select key research areas which support its operational profile and for which it will allocate funding, human resources and support services. The University’s profile will be promoted by recruiting top talent, who will be offered attractive start-up packages. Education will be designed according to the needs of society.
create a clear international profile
raise the share of international teaching and research staff to 30%
expedite the admissions procedure for international students and
introduce Bachelor’s programmes with broad programme options for applicants and organise the admissions procedure according to degree programmes that offer clear study paths towards the range of Master’s programmes.
Programmes leading to Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees will be organised into multidisciplinary joint degree programmes. Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral education will constitute a framework with predictable transition paths from one level to another. After completing a Bachelor’s degree, applicants from the University of Helsinki and other universities and institutions of higher education in Finland and abroad can apply to a Master’s degree programme. Master’s degree programmes will be developed further to attract international students.
harmonise the curricula of degree programmes
engage employers in degree programmes
integrate business and entrepreneurship training into all fields of education and
harmonise the application and admissions processes for doctoral education.
The University will promote open interaction through flexible digital channels and campus-specific meeting points. Cooperation with social forces and corporations will be diversified. The operational culture of the University of Helsinki will be socially, ecologically and financially responsible.
support various community-focused operating environments, such as the Teachers’ Academy, the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies and Think Corner 2017
implement the Change Programme
further multilingualism in all its activities in accordance with the University of Helsinki Language Policy and
develop information systems from a user-friendly perspective.
Research problems formulated from a multidisciplinary perspective and cooperation across units enhance the social impact of research. The University will encourage the exploitation of research results and provide professional support for the exploitation. The quality of research at the University will be regularly monitored through international rankings.
encourage and help researchers to apply for international funding
consider the exploitation of research as a professional merit
support corporate cooperation by developing a partnership model for the entire University and
establish the quality system as a part of all operations at the University and its units.
Learning and contributing to the creation of new knowledge form the core of academic studies. Students will participate in the planning and implementation of teaching. They will already be engaged in research when completing their Bachelor’s and Master’s level studies. The methods of learning assessment will be diversified, and new digital solutions that support learning will be introduced in teaching.
encourage students to take the role of peer instructors and
provide training and support in the implementation and extensive exploitation of research-based teaching and learning methods.
The development of human resources improves wellbeing at work, promotes the staff's readiness to advance to more challenging duties and opens up opportunities to enhance the University’s performance.
develop further the staff’s digital skills throughout the University
offer the staff opportunities for career advancement as part of the reorganisation of administration and services
ensure that the job-related objectives of each member of the University community are linked to the University’s objectives and
support management that enhances workplace wellbeing.
The University of Helsinki will be a pioneer in the production and exploitation of open knowledge.
The openness of research will be supported through focused investments.
make research methods, materials and results accessible to the academic community and society at large and
make increasing use of open forums, digital environments as well as self- and peer-evaluation in teaching.
Both electronic learning environments and customisable teaching facilities will support learners as active agents. Open and digital learning environments for students will replace traditional classrooms. Online environments will adhere to the policy of multilingualism.
increase the versatile use of online learning environments and
implement mobile and customised services for teaching and studies.
All members of the University community must strive to impact University funding. When recruiting researchers and teachers, consideration will be given to their ability to acquire new international funding, recruit the best students and to carry out internationally recognised research and high-quality teaching.
The University will flexibly allocate funding to key strategic areas and actively monitor the results achieved in these areas. In the acquisition of funding, special attention will be paid to collaboration with both Finnish and international companies.
increase and support the acquisition of international funding and fundraising and
flexibly allocate funding to areas of strategic importance.
Research infrastructures support the University’s profile and provide an attractive environment for researchers. The accessibility and use of infrastructures will be enhanced.
improve online access to research infrastructures and
centralise the coordination of infrastructures.
Close cooperation with international partners will increase, particularly thanks to European research funding. Together with international partner universities, the University will boost research profiles, visibility and funding to the mutual benefit of all parties. The University will encourage its researchers to spend longer periods in research centres abroad.
establish a University-wide selection procedure for international strategic partnerships and
extend strategic partnerships to involve all organisational levels.