President Vesa Taatila continues to work at the Research and Innovation Council

The Council is chaired by the Prime Minister. the Research and Innovation Council is an advisory body for developing research and innovation policies that support well-being, education and economically, socially and ecologically sustainable growth and competitiveness. The term of the Council lasts for the duration of the electoral term. In addition to the ministers, the Council has six or seven other members appointed by the Government for the duration of the parliamentary term.

"It is great to be able to continue working for the future of Finnish research and innovation system. The Research and Innovation Council is a key place for me to influence the big picture of Finland's development. The parliamentary RDI work led by Member of Parliament Matias Mäkynen lays a good foundation for concrete steps", says Taatila.

Taatila was also a member of the Council during the previous electoral term. In addition to education, applied research, development and innovation activities are the second main task of universities of applied sciences. The objectives of RDI activities are to serve teaching at universities of applied sciences, to promote working life and regional development and to reform the economic structure of the region. One of the tasks of the Council is to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the Act on Research and Development Financing and the preparation and implementation of the funding plan.

In October, the activities of the Research and Innovation Council were expanded with the new Government decree. New tasks include making initiatives for national strategy choices for research and development activities, promoting the country image of research and innovation policy, making proposals for the implementation of the Act on the Allocation of Research and Development Funding and the Funding for State Research and Development in 2024–2030, and coordinating and monitoring the preparation and implementation of the multiannual research and development funding plan.

"The role of universities of applied sciences in the Finnish innovation system has increased over the past decade. The more active area of responsibility of the Research and Innovation Council creates opportunities for very concrete openings on the way to the common goal of raising Finnish R&D investment to 4% of GDP. In this way, we will ensure the preconditions for Finland's growth for the coming decades. This will require active cooperation between the public and private sectors both in Finland and internationally. In a small country, it is important that everyone is involved", says Taatila.

The Research and Innovation Council was appointed as of 23 November for the term of office of Parliament.

The Council is chaired by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and includes Minister of Finance Riikka Purra, Minister of Science and Culture Sari Multala (1st Vice-President), Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman, Minister of Education Anna-Maja Henriksson and Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah.

In addition to ministerial members, the Council includes Director Riikka Heikinheimo from the Confederation of Finnish Industries, Partner Ilkka Kivimäki from Maki.vc, Academician, Professor Markku Kulmala from the University of Helsinki, President Sari Lindblom from the University of Helsinki (2nd Vice Chairman), and Rector Vesa Taatila from Turku UAS. 
The Government also appointed permanent experts to the Council. Permanent experts in the Council are Under-Secretary of State Timo Lankinen from the Prime Minister's Office, Strategy and Research Director Olli Kärkkäinen from the Ministry of Finance, Permanent Secretary Anita Lehikoinen from the Ministry of Education and Culture, Director General Ilona Lundström from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Paula Eerola from the Academy of Finland.

The News in Finnish: Valtioneuvosto asetti tutkimus- ja innovaationeuvoston