Basic research is the key to the University’s success
Minister of Education and Science Jukka Gustafsson stressed the importance of a university dedicated to the advancement of knowledge in his speech held at the opening of the academic year at the University of Turku on 5 September.
Rector Keijo Virtanen of the University of Turku contemplated in his speech the chances of success of the Finnish universities in the hardening international competition.
- Critical, long-term basic research is a critical prerequisite for the success and reputation of the university. Basic research is also essential for the applications of the information society and benefits university education.
Emphasising basic research has its pitfalls: it is often perceived as non-profitable, Humboldtian science, practiced by academics in their ivory towers. Virtanen thinks it is high time to let go of this presupposition.
Praise for a university dedicated to knowledge and education
- A knowledge university is highly dynamic because it interacts and changes with the rest of the society, said Minister of Education and Science Jukka Gustafsson in his speech.
The minister believes that it is possible to combine the two different university ideals – a university devoted to the advancement of knowledge and an enterprising university promoting economic growth.
- The dynamic knowledge university offers a space for both mental growth and the pursuit of financial interests.
Gustafsson congratulated the University of Turku for its successful combination of research and education as well as for structural development.
- University of Turku is a cutting-edge university.
Dissertation awards given by the University Society
In the opening ceremony, five dissertation awards were given by the Turku Finnish University Society (Turun Suomalainen Yliopistoseura). Satu Astala, the committee chair of the society, awarded PhD Janne Ahokas (Physics), PsD Tuomo Häikiö (Psychology), LL.D. Juha Lavapuro (Constitutional Law), D.Sc. Matti Mäntymäki (Information Systems Science) and PhD Jonna Nevo (Medical Biochemistry and Genetics).