Rector’s speech for the opening ceremony on 2 September 2024

Rector's speech for the opening ceremony on 2 September 2024

Arvoisa kansleri, hyvät yliopistolaiset ja yliopiston ystävät, kära medlemmar av universitets gemenskapen, dear members of the University community, dear excellencies,

In recent years, we have witnessed significant worldwide social disruptions. At critical junctures in world politics, it is evident that global power structures, economic systems and political ideologies are in a state of flux.

These junctures can involve both perils and prospects. Conflict amplifies feelings of uncertainty and insecurity. At the same time, every transformation carries the potential for something new.

International transformations resonate in the conversations taking place at universities and in research contexts. As society around us changes, the University has an active role through scholarship and research as a partner in conversation and a seeker of solutions.

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Honoured guests,

Values are the basis of all we pursue and deem good or bad. One of the four values of our University is Bildung, a broad concept emphasising moral and ethical growth alongside academic learning. This value steers us in the right direction. Currently, this means our commitment to fostering positive change in Finland and the world.

For almost 385 years, the University of Helsinki has been educating experts in the service of Finnish society. We have helped to construct a Finnish identity, championed equality, contributed to building our welfare society, advanced economic and technological development, and fostered Finland's international interaction and global relations.

One of the most significant developments for Finland in recent decades has been the growing importance of its international activity. Next year will mark 30 years since Finland became a member of the European Union, and it has now been about 18 months since we joined NATO. Our economy increasingly relies on international trade and economic engagement. Furthermore, internationalisation has led to a surge in immigration, making our society more diverse and multicultural.

Our identities too are being substantially shaped by global developments. Culturally, economically and politically, we belong to multiple groups simultaneously. Traditional concepts of citizenship are being challenged and reshaped.

Universities are key places for us to redefine our identities in a changing world. Here, a variety of cultures, nationalities and generations come together. We engage in socially prominent critical conversations, conduct scholarly research and influence society by unlocking opportunities for new insights.

Within the academic community, we hold different views about international crises and about how the University should respond to them. The key is to make everyone heard. We can do this through ongoing constructive dialogue incorporating a range of opinions. Universities' duty is to promote peace and dialogue through science and research. We condemn all violence and wars.

Social values, norms and practices change, and academic communities change them. We are in the process of defining who we are as a nation, both now and in the years ahead.

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Universities are also beacons of hope, and hope is rooted in solutions. Our solutions are based on another of our University's values: truth. We seek new knowledge, reflect critically on issues and provide high-quality research and education.

Our research helps, for example, in developing ethical artificial intelligence and precise diagnostics. We conduct cutting-edge genetic research and educate the best teachers in the world. Our University is known as a pioneer in climate research and a champion of expertise in the rule of law.

During times of global turmoil, it is particularly important to defend an open society, in which research helps explain and shed light on events in the world around us.

In pursuing the truth, we develop solutions for all and create welfare in our own country and abroad. We work for a fairer, healthier and safer world.

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Dear listeners,

Our third value is freedom. It entails the understanding that the autonomy of universities is paired with responsibility. While independent organisations, universities are not separate from society.

We can exercise our freedom to leverage opportunities as we choose. Researchers have the academic freedom to choose the topics they wish to explore, and students can decide what studies to pursue. The freedom of research involves compliance with research ethics, as freedom comes with responsibility.

Universities also serve the needs of society. This means the opportunity to work for a society that we consider worthy of pursuit. By educating broad-minded experts in a wide range of fields, we are also promoting equality.

As a university, we can decide whether we wish to expand access to higher education. We have defined one of our strategic choices as follows: Knowledge and learning are for everyone. This is why we make choices to ensure that more and more people have the opportunity to complete a university degree.

In the coming decades, Finland will increasingly need high-level competencies. The distinctive strength of higher education lies in its extensive range. In addition to producing experts with the required skills, universities train well-rounded individuals capable of expansive thinking and equipped with cultural and social insight.

We have called on the government to commit to increasing the share of higher education graduates among young people to 50% and ensuring that universities have the necessary resources. In its programme, the current government has pledged to raise the educational level of the population. Moreover, it has agreed to permanently increase student intake in medicine and veterinary medicine and begun to address the acute staff shortage in early childhood education.

Improving education levels requires both long-term government investment and a capacity for renewal at universities. The University has bold talent and diverse expertise for putting research-based knowledge increasingly effectively into practice. We must ensure that our education is relevant and that we are able to meet the needs of society.

Research conducted today helps solve the challenges of tomorrow. The closer our ties with our surrounding society, the better we can make our voices heard and keep pace with the needs of the world around us. Collaboration with cities, companies and other social institutions provides graduates with specialist jobs and makes research knowledge available to society. Vibrant universities collaborate with companies, educate experts, carry out research despite any risks involved, and generate new business activities and new innovations.

To increase access to education, it is important to support individual learning paths, enabling students to complete higher education degrees flexibly based on personal needs and interests. Universities must reimagine teaching and learning approaches, deliver more effective guidance and supervision, and use the opportunities afforded by AI in teaching as well.

When faculties begin redesigning curricula this academic year, we will be better equipped to deliver optional and flexible studies. The national admissions reform is also nearing completion and is likely to be implemented next spring. This reform will increase students' flexible opportunities to apply to several programmes.

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Distinguished guests,

The fourth value of the University is inclusivity. It is based on equality, equity and respect for others. These provide the basis for trust, open interaction and cooperation.

Together, we are a large and influential community able to genuinely and effectively contribute for a better society. We all live in the middle of societal transformations, creating the future through the power of knowledge - for the world.

May the new academic year bring us inquisitiveness, enthusiasm and new encounters.

I wish you a great new academic year!