President Ilkka Niemelä explains what the new vision for higher education and research means for Finland and Aalto
The new vision for higher education and research was published on 15 June 2026. Now, President Ilkka Niemelä, who served on the vision’s steering group, answers questions about what it means for Finland and for Aalto.
1. What is the new vision about?
‘The vision extends to 2040, and the development programs it outlines run until 2035, so we are talking about long-term plans.
The vision is built around five goals. First, the aim is to secure Finland’s position as a forerunner in education, democracy, and academic freedom. Second, it emphasizes that education is for everyone, with a particular focus on increasing opportunities for young people to pursue studies. Third, research and creative experts are envisioned as key engines for renewing society. Fourth, higher education institutions are challenged to undertake bold renewal. Universities are expected to specialize and to collaborate more with one another. Fifth, it states that to realize the vision, the funding base for higher education and research must be diversified.
The most important numerical targets are that by 2040, as many as 60 percent of young people in Finland will have completed a higher education degree, and that R&D expenditure will be stabilized at 4 percent of GDP.’
2. Did the previous vision change anything? And how does this new one differ?
‘The vision published in 2017 set targets of raising R&D expenditure to 4 percent of GDP and increasing the share of young adults with higher education to 50 percent by 2030. We are making good progress on the first target, but we will not reach the second within the target timeframe, even though at Aalto we have significantly increased our intake. The growth in R&D funding is also clearly visible in Aalto’s activities.
The earlier vision also aimed for there to be fewer, more differentiated higher education institutions by 2030. That part has not materialized, and new overlaps have even been created.
The new vision brings out very well the importance of educational opportunities for young people. As Finland ages and the birth rate declines, increasing the share of young people with higher education is essential. Without skilled people, we cannot create new innovations, jobs, and well-being.
What the vision does not consider sufficiently are the conditions for Finnish research and education to succeed in an increasingly tough international competition.’
3. What does the vision mean for Aalto? Will anything at Aalto change because of it?
‘The vision sets a shared direction and goal, but it does not in itself change anything directly. Concrete measures and resources are needed for that. Aalto will continue to decide on its own strategy and its implementation. As for sector-wide development measures, we will agree on Aalto’s part in performance agreement negotiations with the ministry, and the new vision will certainly influence preparations for the 2029–2032 agreement period.
In preparing the vision, members of the Aalto community have especially emphasized the importance of quality and resourcing in research and education. In our own strategy work, we have prepared well for growing demands and are ready to act as trailblazers in implementing the new vision.’
4. What does the future of higher education and research look like in Finland?
‘It is clear that the difficult state of public finances will complicate the implementation of the vision. However, the vision also recognizes the need to broaden the funding base and proposes bold structural reforms, through which it is possible to find new solutions to resourcing challenges as well.
I see the future as relatively bright. Decision-makers and stakeholders understand the importance of education and research for society and competitiveness much better than when I started as President of Aalto almost ten years ago. Aalto’s attractiveness is strong, and we have precisely the expertise, capacity for renewal, and entrepreneurship that Finland needs for growth and success.
I am also happy and proud of how our Aalto community has wanted to contribute to developing the nationwide vision for higher education and research—spending the time and effort it takes. My warm thanks for this work!’
(in Finnish)
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