Board Q&A session opened up the importance of the University of Oulu and the work of the Board

The Board members arrived to the event directly from the Board meeting. After a brief introduction of the Board, Communications Manager Leena Hirvonen, who chaired the session, led the Board members in a discussion of both the questions received in advance and the issues raised during the event.

In their speeches, the Board members highlighted the value and importance of research and education and the need to safeguard their role in the long term. Several comments were made on the question of how much of the total funding should be allocated to research and education. Mikko Ayub, Chair of the Board, summed up: "As much as possible. We need to make sure that we succeed in both".

Speakers also emphasised that, ultimately, all university activities are about enabling research and education. The role of Board was seen as particularly important in securing funding, facilities and other resources. In addition to strategic research and research responding to funding instruments, the importance of academic freedom in enabling innovative research was also stressed.

The allocation of resources was the subject of debate, and the question was raised from the audience whether the current structures and allocation of resources at the university allow for optimal performance in education and research. The Board saw a need to recognise the different practices and needs of different faculties.

The Board highlighted the strengths

Decreasing young age cohorts and the questioning of scientific knowledge in society were recognised as challenges for the future. The Board also noted that the University of Oulu has many strengths for the future, including, for example, a strong economy, good performance and success in national and international comparisons. Multidisciplinarity was also seen as a potential and strength of the University of Oulu. The Board was also pleased with the high interest in recruitments: the University of Oulu is a place where people want to come. The University of Oulu's special value in northern Finland was recognised and its preservation was seen as important.

The recording of the Board Q&A session (in Finnish) is available for viewing until 14 March. You can access the recording by logging into Panopto with your university credentials.