University’s International Advisory Board Met for the First Time in Turku

14.12.2022

The University of Turku appointed an International Advisory Board earlier this year. The term of the Advisory Board started on 1 August 2022 and ends on 31 December 2023.

In the photo, Vice Rector Piia Björn (University of Turku), VIce-Rector Stephan Schröder (University of Cologne), Professor Eva Åkesson (University of Lund), Rector Jukka Kola (University of Turku), Vice Rector Kalle-Antti Suominen (University of Turku), and Vice Rector Mika Hannula (University of Turku). In the background, Executive Vice-Rector Ludovic Thilly (University of Poitiers) and Rector Yves Flückiger (University of Geneva), who participated in the meeting remotely.

Photographer/Author

Suvi Harvisalo

The International Advisory Board will act as the University management’s partner in strategic discussions and exchange of ideas. The goal is that the International Advisory Board engages in a dialogue with the University management, gives advice, and offers especially an international perspective in the development of the University’s research and education as well as societal interaction and impact.

The Advisory Board met in Turku on 16 November 2022. In the first meeting, the members learned more about the research conducted at the University of Turku and met each other as well as the management of the University of Turku.

Professor Eva Åkesson from the University of Lund in Sweden is the chair of the Advisory Board.

“In our first meeting, we got an excellent general presentation on the Finnish education system and the University of Turku. It was also very important that we had a chance to meet each other. All in all, the day was very rewarding. Our first meeting showed that these gatherings will be beneficial learning experiences to us all. We are not here just to give advice, but to learn together,” says Professor Åkesson.

Strengthening internationality in the University’s basic missions is the key objective of the Advisory Board.

“Through constructive criticism, the Advisory Board supports this goal in particular. In the first meeting, we discussed ways to increase international research funding and how to attract international talents to our academic community – and to get them to stay in Finland.  Multidisciplinary approaches and the strategic education and research profiles were also on the agenda,” says Rector Jukka Kola, and continues:

”In our next meeting, we will continue with research and education themes and will also invite students to meet the members of the Advisory Board. Next autumn, we will focus on our activities in societal interaction and impact.”

The composition of the International Advisory Board

  • Professor Eva Åkesson, University of Lund, Chair
  • Professor Simone Buitendijk, Vice-Chancellor (President), University of Leeds
  • Professor Yves Flückiger, Rector, University of Geneva
  • Professor Alice Gast, President, Imperial College London (from 1 January 2023 onwards)
  • Professor Stephan Schröder, Vice Rector, University of Cologne
  • Professor Ludovic Thilly, Executive Vice-Rector, University of Poitiers

Director of Community Relations Leena Wahlfors and Head of International Affairs Irinja Paakkanen are the coordinators of the Advisory Board.

Created 14.12.2022 | Updated 16.12.2022