1. Higher Education in Finland Orientation Program for American Fulbright Grantees August 30, Senior Adviser Eeva Kaunismaa

2. HEIs and Sectoral Research
Institutes Universities (blue) Polytecnics (green) Public research institutes (red)

3. The Finnish Higher Education System
The Finnish higher education system comprises two parallel sectors:
University sector
16 research universities, including 3 Universities of Arts
Student enrollment , annual intake ~
Independent legal persons with majority of funding through State budget
Polytechnic sector (established in the mid-1990s)
25 institutions
Student enrollment , annual intake ~
Institutions partly funded by the state, partly by municipalities
Regional development tasks
Bachelor degrees (vocational and professional degrees)
(Professional) Master’s degrees in selected fields
The whole HE system provides study places for 65-70% of an age group

4. Cohorts Entering (Upper) Secondary Education and the First Cycle of Tertiary Education in

5. Structural Development of Higher Education
Vision 2020
Maximum of 18 polytechnics
Intake in youth education of 22,500 students (in 2009 ~26 500)
Flexible and profiled higher education units and structures
Strong and dynamic interaction with the region and its employers
Well-established, high-quality R&D in priority areas
Maximum of 15 universities
Intake of students (in 2009 ~19 500)
Strong units and profiles; clear priorities in research
Internationalisation and world-class research
Four to five strategic university-polytechnic alliances
Secured access to education and diverse education provision in the area
Joint R&D and stronger (regional) impact

6. PM Jyrki Katainen's Government Program Priorities
General
Reduction of poverty, inequality and social exclusion
Consolidation of Public finances
Enhancing sustainable economic growth, employment and competitiveness
In education
Finland the most competent nation in 2020
Reduction of gender differences in learning outcomes, participation and completion of education
Equal opportunities and rights to free quality education
To ensure the availability of the workforce, especially in key educational, health and welfare services
Guidance and counselling at all levels of education
All primary school leavers will be guaranteed a study place
To adapt the network of educational institutions to demographic trends

7. Government Programme on Higher Education and Science
Quality, efficiency and internationalisation of HE
Polytechnic Reform (legal status, funding, administration)
Each province in Finland will have at least one higher education institution.
The establishment of a university for the arts will be promoted.
Access to higher education studies will be made smoother for example by reforming student selection.
Policy on the national research infrastructure will be promoted.

8. Photo: Sara Djupsund