UC Professor Advances Higher Education Debate in Finland

Op-eds published over the past week by University of Cincinnati Professor Kettil Cedercreutz in two major news papers (Helsingin Sanomat, published in Finnish, and Huvfudstadsbladet, published in Swedish) in Finland have generated a vivid discussion on how to organize higher education conducted with Swedish as the language of instruction in Finland.

The following quotes illustrate the discussion:

• Editorial / Kosk / Hufvudstadsbladet: Sept.10, 2013: “In an op-ed in Hufvudstadsbladet on Sept. 4, Professor Kettil Cedercreutz paints up the image of a coastal university, that through networks, would offer world-class education in all Swedish - Finnish towns located on the coast of Finland. By combining Åbo Akademi, Hanken School of Economics, Arcada, Novia and Åland University, the Swedish-speaking institutions would have a total of nearly 10,000 students and be a credible international player. A collaboration with universities in Sweden would be a central part of the network.” Kosk further calls for Helsinki University to be added to the network.
  

• Commencement speech / Åbo Akademi / Pesident Mattinen / Sept 2, 2013: “This is a very interesting idea, which is close to my own vision of the future regarding higher education conducted in Swedish in Finland.”
  

• The President of Arcada University of Applied Science Henrik Wolff welcomes the discussion, whereas the President of Hanken School of Economics Eva Liljeblom hopes that the idea soon be forgotten [YLE interviews aired Sept 5, 2013].