Annual Review 2018
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ANNUAL REVIEW 2018 600,000 VISITORS AT THINK CORNER University of Helsinki Annual review 2018 Editorial staff: Päivi Kuuppelomäki Tuula Sunnarborg Soile Tapio INTRODUCTION BY THE RECTOR The year 2018 was a year of major organisational by Chancellor Kaarle Hämeri began reinvestigating changes at the University of Helsinki: the new Uni- the University’s values and may update them during versity Board began its term at the beginning of the 2019. The University leadership actively participated year, a new 50-member University Collegium was in the preparation of the Vision for higher education elected in February, and a new rector and vice-rec- and research in 2030 of the Ministry of Education tors took office. and Culture, and particularly in the creation of a mo- del for the distribution of funding for universities. My term as rector of the University of Helsinki began on 1 August 2018. My key objectives are to boost the Open science and research are our central strategic University’s research, teaching and social impact to objectives. Our research results are indisputably of a higher level, ensure a peaceful work environment the highest level and our researchers have succee- for the University community, and to promote com- ded well in the European Research Council’s funding munity spirit and wellbeing at work. To advance col- rounds: in 2018, seven new projects at the Univer- legiality, I, together with the vice-rectors, launched sity received ERC funding. Moreover, six of the ten in early autumn a round of campus meetings open to new Academy professors appointed by the Academy everyone. The University’s vision of “Global impact of Finland come from the University of Helsinki. In in interaction” is the guiding principle that I wish 2018 the University also began to collect material for to keep clear in my mind. The potential to make the a research assessment exercise to be completed in University of Helsinki a learning and research en- 2019. This assessment will help to enhance the quali- vironment of an increasingly higher level lies in its ty of research and support the preparation of the new staff and students. strategic plan. We also wish to abide by the principles of sustainable The University of Helsinki makes continuous efforts development. Consequently, one of the vice-rectors to further develop its education. The purpose of the is charged with matters relating to sustainable deve- recent extensive education reform is to enable more lopment, and the University also established a sus- individual study paths than before. The first year af- tainability and responsibility committee to further ter the changes were implemented proved that the these matters at the University level. Furthermore, reform was necessary. However, the establishment the University decided to participate in and provide of such extensive changes will take time. In the joint data for the new THE Impact Ranking, which asses- application procedure of 2018, a record number of ses universities against the United Nations’ Sustai- prospective students applied to the University of nable Development Goals. Helsinki and the number of students admitted ba- sed on their educational certificates grew from the Even though our present strategy period extends previous year. The number of applicants to the in- until the end of 2020, we have already begun draf- ternational master’s programmes also grew from the ting our next strategic plan. In connection with the previous year. drafting of the strategic plan, a working group led The University responded to changes in its operating 2018, two new institutes launched operations, na- environment by establishing the Helsinki Graduate mely the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science School of Economics (Helsinki GSE) and finalising (HELSUS), which aims to address global challenges the establishment of the Helsinki Institute for Social of sustainable development, and the Institute for Sciences and Humanities (SSH). The Helsinki GSE Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), will meet the demand for expertise and teaching in which advances atmospheric and environmental re- economics and other quantitative social sciences, search both nationally and internationally. In Octo- and the SSH aims to strengthen and reform basic ber the University of Helsinki became a member of research in the human sciences and their infrastruc- the Climate Leadership Coalition (CLC). This coali- tures. The relocation of the Finnish Environment tion formed by Finnish organisations and the Finnish Institute (SYKE) to the University’s Viikki Campus Innovation Fund Sitra challenges the surrounding enables a new and efficient collaboration between community and businesses to join the efforts to curb the University and other organisations on the cam- climate change. pus, such as the Natural Resources Institute Finland and the Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira (from 1 The University of Helsinki wants to play a signifi- January 2019 onwards, the Finnish Food Authority). cant role in building Finland’s future welfare on the foundation of high-quality education and science. The University of Helsinki also wishes to be a pio- In 2018 the University actively lobbied ahead of the neer in making use of the opportunities offered by country’s parliamentary elections and engaged in the digitalisation for the entire academic community. #Researchmatters campaign to communicate to the In early 2018, the University published a roadmap public and decision-makers alike the importance of for digitalisation 2018–2020, and the smart campus research and research-based teaching. Science and project in Kumpula, also known as Ubikampus, is education can help solve global problems and safe- a prime example of the digital leap taking place at guard Finland’s success. We must increasingly invest the University. The aim of Ubikampus is to provide in education and top research. The academic com- workspaces supported by technology and artificial munity relies in this matter for support from a natio- intelligence on the campuses. nal consensus that extends beyond the terms held by governments. The University’s strategic partnerships enhance its impact as a global force. During 2018 the Universi- The University’s reformed Think Corner is a visib- ty launched several new projects, particularly with le forum for community interaction. During its first Peking University and Stockholm University. A new year of operations, Think Corner has claimed its spearhead project undertaken with Stockholm Uni- place as a popular venue for events, work and leis- versity focused on Arctic research, and the emphasis ure. During its first year, Think Corner hosted more of collaboration with Peking University was on the than 500 events with a total audience of more than development of doctoral education in the life scien- 600,000 individuals. ces. The educational capital generated by universities is The University of Helsinki is globally active in the the force we use to build the welfare of our society. mitigation of climate change and wants to increa- It is important to me that the University not only re- singly contribute to national and international deci- flects social values, but also sparks discussions and sion-making through research information. In early sets trends. Rector Jari Niemelä KEY FIGURES IN 2018 31,200 degree students 1,850 international degree students 5,514 degrees 1.1 million completed credits 27,741 applicants in the main admissions procedure; 3,438 admitted students 31,644 students at the Open University 7,838 staff members, of whom 4,458 teachers and researchers 1,306 international staff members 10,926 publications, of which 69% peer-reviewed 3,302 research projects 57th in the Shanghai ranking of world universities 19 Academy of Finland Centres of Excellence, of which 14 led from the University of Hel- sinki 12 Academy of Finland professors 18 University of Helsinki researchers on the Highly Cited Researchers list 103 invention disclosures and 43 patent applications 30,407 registered alumni 56 million euros in donations to the University through the For the World fundraising cam- paign between 2013 and 2018 39 million page visits on the Helsinki.fi website 18,500 international media hits 16 locations for University operations ORGANISATION 2018 UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI 1.1.2018 UNIVERSITY COLLEGIUM CHANCELLOR BOARD RECTOR UNIVERSITY SERVICES FACULTIES, SSKH AND JOINT OPERATIONAL UNITS CITY CENTER CAMPUS KUMPULA CAMPUS VIIKKI CAMPUS MEILAHTI CAMPUS FACULTY FACULTY FACULTY OF BIOLOGICAL FACULTY OF THEOLOGY OF SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES OF MEDICINE FACULTY FACULTY OF LAW OF PHARMACY FACULTY FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE OF ARTS AND FORESTRY FACULTY OF FACULTY OF EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES VETERINARY MEDICINE FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES SWEDISH SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE SSKH HELSINKI INSTITUTE OF SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE INSTITUTE FOR ATMOSPHERIC AND EARTH SYSTEM RESEARCH DEGREE PROGRAMMES: 32 DOCTORAL PROGRAMMES IN 4 DOCTORAL SCHOOLS, 60 MASTER’S PROGRAMMES AND 32 BACHELOR’S PROGRAMMES INDEPENDENT INSTITUTES RESEARCH-INTENSIVE UNITS SERVICE UNITS FINNISH MUSEUM CENTRE FOR OPEN OF NATURAL HISTORY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY HELSINKI COLLEGIUM HELSINKI UNIVERSITY NATIONAL LIBRARY FOR ADVANCED STUDIES LIBRARY OF FINLAND HELSINKI INSTITUTE OF LIFE SCIENCE LANGUAGE UNISPORT HiLIFE CENTRE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI — ANNUAL REVIEW 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION BY THE RECTOR ................................................................................ 3 ORGANISATION