In its meeting on 13 October, the University Board of the University of Turku decided to invite eight candidates to be interviewed for the position of the Rector.
The term of office of the University’s current Rector Jukka Kola will end by the end of July 2024. The University published the call for applications for the position of the Rector on 29 August. By the closing of the application period on 25 September, the University received applications to the position from 18 applicants.
Four of the applicants did not meet the eligibility criteria for the position in terms of the required degree or language skills. In addition to other criteria, the person selected for the position of the Rector must hold a doctoral degree and be proficient in Finnish and English.
The University Board decided to invite eight candidates to interviews on the basis of the proposal presented by the Chair of the Board Ritva Viljanen. The justifications for the selection of interviewees include especially extensive expertise in research and higher education, knowledge of the operational environment, broad national and international networks, and proven leadership skills. The candidates invited to the interviews are:
- PhD, Vice Rector Piia Björn, University of Turku
- DSc (Econ), Director General Mikael Collan, VATT Institute for Economic Research
- DSc (Tech), Vice Rector Mika Hannula, University of Turku
- PhD, Dean, Professor Jaakko Järvi, University of Turku
- PhD, Vice Rector Marjo Kaartinen, Uniarts Helsinki
- PhD, Vice Rector Kalle-Antti Suominen, University of Turku
- PhD, Professor Saara Taalas, Linnaeus University
- DDSc, Professor Pekka Vallittu, University of Turku.
The University Board interviews the candidates at the beginning of November. The University community has had the opportunity to participate in the process by submitting questions for the interviewees. The candidates will also be interviewed in an open event for the University community in November. In addition, the University Board has arranged hearing and discussions events for the Faculty Councils, management of the independent units, and the Student Union of the University of Turku.
The goal is that the University Board will make the decision regarding the Rector in January or in February 2024 the latest. The five-year term of office of the Rector starts on 1 August 2024.
Updated on 9 November 2023 at 9:22: The title of Dean added for Jaakko Järvi.
