STRATEGY
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Turun
yliopiston
strategia
2016–2020
FROM A FREE PEOPLE
TO FREE SCIENCE
STRATEGY 2016–2020
MISSION STATEMENT
The University of Turku is an internationally
competitive university whose operations are based
on high-quality, multidisciplinary research. We
promote education and free science and provide
higher education that is based on research. The
University is part of the international academic
community. We collaborate closely with the Finnish
society and participate actively in the development
of its region.
STRATEGIC GOALS
EFFECTIVE
RESEARCH
RESPONSIBLE
EDUCATION
VALUES
We solve today’s and
tomorrow’s complicated
problems with the help of our
basic research. We apply an
interdisciplinary approach to
research in order to increase
its quality and societal
effectiveness. We strengthen
the researcher career path,
open science and support for
research.
We are a multidisciplinary
and inspiring higher
education institution. Our
education is based on the
latest scientific knowledge and
meets the changing needs of
society. We ensure that the
study tracks are flexible and
straightforward.
SHARED
ETHICALITY
CRITICALITY
CREATIVITY
OPENNESS
COMMUNALITY
A CATALYST
FOR SOCIAL
WELL-BEING AND
THE ECONOMY
We recognise the innovations
emerging from research and
our globally competitive
education services. We
promote entrepreneurial
attitude and utilisation of
research in collaboration with
business life.
COMMUNITY
WELL-BEING
We are a responsible employer
and our operations are built
on common values. We are
building an encouraging and
interactive university, where
it is a pleasure to study and
work.
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yliopiston
strategia
2016–2020
COMPREHENSIVE THEMES
Internationality
Free, open, effective science
Responsibility
Co-operation and interaction
EFFECTIVE
RESEARCH
Research at the University of Turku is diverse and
international. Our strongest fields of research form the
basis for new and interdisciplinary projects.
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yliopiston
strategia
2016–2020
STRAIGHTFORWARD RESEARCHER CAREER PATH and the
advancement of international mobility increase the quality and
effectiveness of research. We are increasing the number of postdoctoral researchers recruited through international application
processes, and we are developing the use of the Tenure Track system further in the whole University.
OUR RESEARCH ENVIRONMENTS support the creativity of
our researchers. We allocate resources for creating versatile research communities and interdisciplinary intersections. We are
allocating support to the fields that are effective in their research
and at a good phase of development. Our research is profiled
through the following thematic collaborations:
BIOFUTURE
DIGITAL FUTURES
CULTURAL MEMORY AND SOCIAL CHANGE
CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND LEARNING
DRUG DEVELOPMENT AND DIAGNOSTICS
SEA AND MARITIME STUDIES
OUR RESEARCH IN BIOSCIENCES AND MEDICINE is at the
international top of the field, which creates a strong basis for the
further development of our thematic collaborations. In the other
disciplines that are part of the thematic collaborations, our research is significant and of high-quality on a national level. The
University has a leading role especially in futures research. Sea
and maritime studies strengthens the regional expertise cluster
in the Southwest coast of Finland.
THE FACULTIES, INDEPENDENT UNITS AND SERVICE
UNITS develop the research services together with other regional
operators. We strengthen the research infrastructure as well as
its maintenance and shared national and international use. We
advance the application process for research funding, open
science and the prerequisites of research as well as innovation
activities.
WE PROMOTE FREE, EFFECTIVE AND OPEN RESEARCH
in the scientific community as well as in society. We share new
information and encourage our researchers to take part in
societal debate.
POLICY PROGRAMMES
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Diverse and
interdisciplinary
research
Researcher
career paths
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Open science
Research support
and infrastructure
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yliopiston
strategia
2016–2020
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RESPONSIBLE
EDUCATION
The University of Turku’s multidisciplinary and
inspiring education is based on the latest scientific
knowledge and meets the changing needs of society.
WE ARE COMMITTED to a responsible learning process. This
requires careful planning of our curricula, education that is
based on the latest research, and a steady progress of studies, as
well as a correlation between education and working life.
OUR EDUCATION is organised into appropriate and sufficiently
extensive modules. We encourage our students to utilise the University’s multidisciplinary education across our different fields
of science. Our regional and national collaboration with other
higher education institutions provides opportunities for building versatile degrees.
WE HIGHLIGHT COMPETENCY in the contents of our degrees.
Education in the different fields covers the required knowledge
and skills and provides competence for working life. Our students acquire skills for lifelong learning and a positive attitude
towards the continuous development of their abilities. In addition to degree education, we offer versatile studies in the Open
University as well as other adult education. The University of
Turku is the leading developer of post-degree specialisation
training in Finland.
THE INTERNATIONALITY OF OUR EDUCATION is highlighted by our engaging English degree programmes and by including studies that support internationalisation in every degree. Together with other regional operators, we support the placement
of international students in working life.
IN OUR UNIVERSITY, every researcher teaches and every
teacher conducts research. Our training in university pedagogics and modern learning environments support the University’s
high-quality teaching. Our student feedback system covers the
entire degree programme and continues as career follow-ups.
This way, we ensure the quality of our education. The University
and the Student Union promote and support a student and study
culture where students take responsibility for their own learning
and student guidance is well timed and of a high-quality.
OUR ALUMNI are an important resource in strengthening our
contacts with working life.
Turun
yliopiston
strategia
2016–2020
POLICY PROGRAMMES
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High-quality learning
and flexible
study tracks
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Digitalisation of
teaching
and learning
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Internationality
in education
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Education
and working life
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Turun
yliopiston
strategia
2016–2020
A CATALYST
FOR SOCIAL
WELL-BEING
AND ECONOMY
The University of Turku is strengthening its
capability to meet the region’s educational
and economic needs, and its ability to respond
to national and global challenges. We are
building a strong culture of foresight for
the benefit of society.
WE HIGHLIGHT the significance of research and education in
societal development and produce new information to support
decision-making. We promote entrepreneurial thinking and activities. We educate professionals who have the desire and ability
to develop society. We are a University for Entrepreneurship that
is a contemporary academic and societal influencer.
GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE material and intellectual innovations are created from the University’s research. Our operational model is anticipatory and analyses needs and demand. We
strengthen the extensive recognition of innovation potential and
develop the transfer of information from the university to businesses and public services. We are a proactive reformer of societal functions.
WE REALISE TRANSNATIONAL EDUCATION in a sustainable manner that produces additional value. We are continuously looking for new research-based products for transnational education.
WE COLLABORATE with business life and actively participate
in national and international networks. The University communicates openly and interactively about new information and activities that promote well-being.
POLICY PROGRAMMES
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University for
entrepreneurship
Societal
interaction
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Transnational
education
Dynamic innovation
activities
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Turun
yliopiston
strategia
2016–2020
COMMUNITY
WELL-BEING
The University of Turku is an inspiring, encouraging and
interacting working and learning environment. We are a
responsible employer and educator and our operations
are built on common values.
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yliopiston
strategia
2016–2020
POLICY PROGRAMMES
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EACH MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY does
their very best to ensure the success of the University. The University supports its community in maintaining their ability to
work and study.
WE PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION to the development of leadership skills: we train supervisors and support them in their managerial tasks. We recognise that leadership primarily involves
managing change. We require that our supervisors take responsibility and are fair, consistent and interactive in their work.
THE PARTICIPATION OF THE PERSONNEL and functional
practices in the work community are the cornerstones of wellbeing at work. We encourage our community to communicate
actively and we support versatile discussion. We make sure that
our employees have the necessary professional skills and work
equipment.
OUR STUDENTS ARE EQUAL members and younger colleagues of our academic community. A straightforward beginning for the first-year studies is particularly important. We take
care of the well-being of our students together with the Student
Union and the Finnish Student Health Service. We support our
students’ ability to study with high-quality and accessible teaching and guidance.
OUR RECRUITMENT is based on thorough human resources
planning. Our recruitment process is open and fair. We provide our employees with the necessary orientation and create
opportunities for career development, internationalisation and
for achieving success in work. We encourage our community to
learn, to engage in entrepreneurial activities and to develop their
own work. In recruiting researchers, the University is committed
to advancing the principles presented in the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
Development of
administration and
support services
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Good management and
the well-being of the
work community
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The ability to study
and the well-being of
the students
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Active human resources
planning
and recruitment
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Turun
yliopiston
strategia
2016–2020
UNIVERSITY OF TURKU
FI-20014 UNIVERSITY OF TURKU
TEL. +358 2 333 51
WWW.UTU.FI/EN