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In his speech in the opening ceremonies of the academic year, Rector Jari Ojala discussed how the transition of technology influences work and the education requirements of the future.

“Technologies are changing the ways of work as well as the need for work, perhaps resulting even in unexpected changes,” Ojala says. “At the same time, demographic development is changing the world and especially Finland. The university does not only adapt to changes around it, but we are the force that changes society. JYU educates experts for the needs of future decades and researches the pivotal technologies of the future.” 

According to Ojala, Finland has fallen far behind its peer countries in terms of the share of population with higher education.

“Innovative research at the forefront of science is the best guarantee for Finland’s long-term competitiveness,” he says. “To raise the educational level, we need a long-term plan and commitment that extend beyond the Government’s terms of office.” 

Ojala states that the increased national investment in doctoral education is the right thing to do: “Based on estimations, 2,000 new PhDs will be needed every year for research and development duties in 2024–2030. The number of students who completed a doctoral degree in Finland in 2022 was 1,623, so more doctoral candidates come from outside Finland. We must ensure that these experts will stay in Finland after completing their doctorates and help to build and strengthen Finnish society.”

“The key is to develop cooperation with different stakeholders and partners,” Ojala says. “Our quality and impact are based on cooperation.”