Closer cooperation between the Turku-based HEIs

The purpose of the agreement is to promote the cooperation between the HEIs and hence increase well-being in the region. Cooperation will be enhanced in both teaching and research, development and innovation activities.

The HEIs aim to develop the quality of the operations, efficiency and impact and to promote the renown and attraction of the region. Studying is facilitated by removing obstacles from cross-institutional studying. The aim is to launch joint specialisation education in certain fields, which will be agreed on separately.

Benefiting the resources is boosted with an appropriate distribution of work, cooperation and premises solutions. The aim is efficient joint use of premises and support services. For example, the current state of the sports services of Turku-based HEIs will be looked into and their development will be discussed.

“The cooperation aims to develop the quality and diversity of the operations, but also cost-efficiency. For example, the research infrastructure most likely contains opportunities for joint procurements and use”, says Rector Kalervo Väänänen from the University of Turku.

“We have all the possibilities for tightening the cooperation further and for creating synergy benefits, which will yield results in terms of both research and education. Joint research projects increase the funding possibilities and more extensive cooperation in education guarantees high quality”, says Mikko Hupa, Rector of Åbo Akademi University.

“We want Turku to be seen as an interesting student city, both nationally and internationally. In closer cooperation we can create better services for our students, staff and working life”, says Vesa Taatila, Rector and President of Turku University of Applied Sciences.

The development of the cooperation is led by a steering group in HEI cooperation, which is composed of representatives from the HEIs.