Statements
The Finnish Union of University Professors thanks the Finnish Government for investing in Finland’s research and development activities towards a 4% share of GDP. Government investments in RDI activities enable economic growth and encourage companies to invest in innovations and renewal of industries. The professoriate has participated and participates extensively in R&D activities in addition…
The draft Government proposal suggests that Academy Professors and Academy Research Fellows would no longer be mentioned in the Act on the Research Council of Finland (formerly Academy of Finland). The Finnish Union of University Professors points out that the Academy Professor position funded by the Research Council of Finland has increased in importance with…
In the view of the Finnish Union of University Professors, the multiannual plan for the use of government R&D funding and its policies includes many issues essential for R&D activities. However, the plan does not address the core funding of universities at all. Yet, raising the level of ambition of innovations and securing high-quality research…
The Finnish Union of University Professors thanks the Finnish Government for its significant allocation of R&D funding. The Union would like to emphasise, however, that the funding for RDI activities should be directed to universities in the form of basic funding for free research. Free research funding would enable universities to respond faster to the…
The Finnish Union of University Professors considers the proposed changes to the fees for open higher education to be justified. In future, it is important that universities can decide for themselves on the amount of fees for open higher education (maximum EUR 45 per credit) or on open higher education completely free of charge.
The funding model of universities in Finland currently relies on performance-based management. About three-quarters of the funding allocated by the Ministry of Education and Culture is based on how universities have succeeded in achieving the goals set by the Ministry, such as producing degrees and publications and collecting competitive research funding. In most other countries,…
According to the Finnish Union of University Professors, working life must be developed in a balanced manner, considering the views of both employees and employers. The parties must be able to agree on salary adjustments in collective agreements without the sectors enshrined in the legislation actually defining the upper limit for pay increases. Negotiations on…
The Finnish Union of University Professors supports the permanent allocation of additional funding in 2024 to the Academy of Finland’s research project mandate, currently being managed through its Flagship Programme. The Union is satisfied with the coverage of national counterpart funding for EU projects, since it increases the possibilities to apply for EU funding without…
The Finnish Union of University Professors supports the Government’s proposal on compensation for e-books and e-audiobooks being provided to the public from public libraries and university libraries. However, the inclusion, at some later stage, of the Verkkokirjahylly online bookshelf service in the scope of compensation should be investigated.
The Finnish Union of University Professors supports the strengthening of the role of the Research and Innovation Council in the management and coordination of research and innovation policy and in the monitoring and harmonisation of the implementation of the legislative act on research and development funding and the financial plan in the manner presented in…
