Finnish universities of technology strengthen collaboration
23.02.2011
The presidents of Tampere University of Technology (TUT), Aalto University and Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) agreed to establish closer collaboration between the three universities on Wednesday, 23 February.
The universities are looking into the possibility of making more effective use of shared research equipment and environments. They are also exploring how the universities could identify their strengths in order to improve the quality of Finnish education and research even further.
Aalto University has already carried out an international evaluation of its research activities called Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). TUT is currently conducting the same evaluation and LUT will launch the evaluation process later this year. Based on the results of RAE, the universities will prepare a proposal in 2012 with the purpose of improving the quality of research and education in the field of technology in Finland.
The presidents of the three universities, Markku Kivikoski (TUT), Ilkka Pöyhönen (LUT) and Tuula Teeri (Aalto) point out that Finland’s well-being and economic success are based on advanced technological competence and the export of high-tech products. If Finland intends to continue building its success on competence and new knowledge, we must make further investments in research, education and technological innovations in the future.
The presidents emphasize that in addition to the universities' own initiatives, national measures are also needed: the funding system of universities should be fine-tuned to increasigly acknowledge the importance of quality.
The presidents are pleased that the new Universities Act, effective since the beginning of 2010, has provided universities with more operational leeway and enabled this kind of collaboration and the introduction of, among others, a tenure track system.
Further information:
Markku Kivikoski, tel. +358 (0) 40 849 0094, markku.kivikoski(at)tut.fi
Ilkka Pöyhönen, Tel. +358 (0) 40 571 8970, ilkka.poyhonen(at)lut.fi
Tuula Teeri, Tel. +358 (0) 50 512 4194, president(at)aalto.fi
