Vigorous Collaboration with the University of Tartu
Rector of the University of Tartu Volli Kalm lectured in the University of Turku and started a joint guest lecture series. Volli spoke of the long traditions between the two universities and the future, where international networks and business collaboration play a key role.
Rectors Volli Kalm and Kalervo Väänänen answered the audience`s questions together.
In the lecture series, the top experts of the universities present current research and operations and give lectures in each other´s universities by turns.
Rector of the University of Turku Kalervo Väänänen tells that the guest lecture series is an example of the vigorous collaboration between the universities.
– The experts of our university have regularly lectured in Tartu. Granö visiting lecture series has been started nearly ten years ago and now we are expanding it to reciprocal visits.
In his lecture, Rector Kalm spoke about the long-term partnership with the University of Turku.
– We have had a special cooperation relationship since 1919, when the University of Tartu became Estonia-language university. Finns have made significant contributions to the development of our university, Kalm said.
The Future is International
Kalm told about the numerous reforms that the University of Tartu has recently seen. A new act has changed the governance structure of the university, new people have been selected to the management positions and the funding model is changing. The changes influence the operations.
The University of Tartu is Estonia´s national university and is has an obligation to sustain the Estonian language and education and research of the so called classical disciplines. According to Kalm the work among these things continues, but business collaboration and international networks are becoming increasingly important.
– We are devoted to work together with strong research universities especially from North and Central Europe. We want to concentrate on education and research collaboration, which as concrete advantages. For example, most joint publications and research projects have been made with universities that come from these areas, Kalm said.
According to Kalm national goals like the retention of the language and internationalization like providing English courses has to be kept in balance. Versatile education requires funding and it isn´t possible to carry out everything.
Collaboration Possibilities and Networks
In addition to Rector Volli Kalm, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Martin Halli, Head of Rector’s Office, Strategy Adviser Annika Tina and Head of International Co-operatios Sirje Üprus visited the University of Turku. They were hosted by Rector Kalervo Väänänen and Vice Rectors Riitta Pyykkö and Tapio Reponen in their two day visit.
Directors of the universities discussed possible new collaboration possibilities and familiarized themselves especially with teacher training and the goals and meaning of international networks like Goimbran and Baltic Sea Region University Network (BSRUN).
Also, the delegation visited the Department of Geography and Geology, the Institute of Biomedicine and the University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS).
Henna Borisoff