University of Turku is continuously evolving and thriving

Today, we enjoyed our University’s Anniversary Celebration to commemorate the establishment of the University of Turku on Kalevala Day in 1920. We celebrate with pride, because we live in a time when the very value of academic knowledge and research is questioned more than it has been for a long time, perhaps ever.  

Time and again, we want to highlight the importance of research and restore confidence in academic knowledge. Basic research is the cornerstone of universities’ impact, and the foundation for all breakthroughs and innovations. The new knowledge generated by basic research constantly renews university education, which in turn ensures that breakthroughs and innovations will continue to be made in the future. 

In the natural sciences, the importance of long-term basic research is easy to understand. We know that our beloved Archipelago Sea is not doing well. The quality of water and changes in it have been monitored for a long time, and from this we know that even if miracles were performed, it would take decades for the sea to recover. However, if we did not have extensive research on the Archipelago Sea and its waters, we would not be able to develop ways to save it. 

By its very nature, the University is creative and focused on solving problems. Change based on basic research is not possible without thinking and creativity, which in turn need time and space. This requires improving the operational preconditions of universities. Within the Council of Rectors of Finnish Universities (Unifi), we have formulated a series of messages for the budget framework session of the Finnish Government. Together, we will emphasise the positive effects of academic knowledge and innovative research on long-term labour productivity and sustainable economic growth. Together with universities of applied sciences, we want to raise the education level in Finland from our shameful result in the OECD comparison, increase the number of international experts in Finland, and, above all, promote their employment opportunities. It is a question of our nation’s future. We want more funding for universities’ own RDI activities – both doctoral training and post-doctoral career require significant investment.   

Although we need to improve our operational preconditions, as a university we are doing very well and growing strongly. The amount of EU funding we have received has doubled since 2020. No fewer than seven European Research Council projects were granted funding last year. With the decision of the Research Council of Finland, we are involved in implementing eleven national research infrastructures. The number of earned credits increased last year for all student groups. Last year, our basic degree students completed a total of 607,011 credits. There was also a significant increase in the number of credits completed at the Open University, with a total of almost 55,000 credits. 

These achievements reflect the high quality of our work and also show that our growth is real and has an international dimension. In addition, they prove that a lot of work has gone into making it all happen: by students, teaching staff, researchers, and support staff. For that, a heartfelt thank you to everyone. 

Our Anniversary Celebration brought together not only members of our University community, but also friends of the University and our stakeholders who are at the forefront of promoting the importance of academic knowledge, research and education, in other words, universities. At the University of Turku, we very much hope that we and those closest to us are not the only ones who rely on research and academic knowledge and see its everyday impact and relevance.  

The University’s impact comes from its core missions of research and research-based education. While we can measure the number of degrees awarded or patents filed at our University, it is difficult to measure all impact. We just know that we are making a difference and that we are present. 

We work every day to ensure that universities are not seen as an enemy and that academic knowledge is seen as a positive and innovative force. Academic knowledge has helped us understand the world and solve many challenges. This need has not disappeared, and it is difficult to accept that there is a deliberate attempt to undermine confidence in academic knowledge and research – and to hamper, question, and even prevent universities and researchers from performing their duties. As a university, we welcome everyone to join us in the important work of strengthening the role of academic knowledge and research.   

Marjo Kaartinen

The writer is the Rector of the University of Turku. The text is based on Rector Kaartinen’s speech at the Anniversary Celebration on 27 February 2025.