News

Finnish language studies at Summer Universities 2012

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:45:39 GMT

Finnish language courses at Summer Universities 2012

The Summer Universities in Finland have over 30 years of experience in organising Finnish language and culture courses. There are annually over 1000 non-Finnish speakers participating the courses from all over the world. More and more courses are carried out online which makes it possible to participate also from abroad.

You can find a list of all the Summer Universities that organise Finnish language courses in 2012 at www.kesayliopistot.fi

Please also see the Finnish language course calendar!

For further information, please contact the Association of Summer Universities in Finland

tel +358 (0)3 214 7626
infoa@kesayliopistot.fi

Alternatively, you may contact the Summer University of your interest directly. You can find the individual Summer Universities' contact information here.

Published 16 Feb 2012

Academy of Finland selected 15 new Centres of Excellence in Research

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 06:32:23 GMT

Academy of Finland selected 15 new Centres of Excellence in Research

The Board of the Academy of Finland has selected new Centres of Excellence (CoE) in Research for 2012‒2017. A total of 15 units, involving research teams from eleven universities or research institutes, were selected to the new Centre of Excellence Programme. The new CoEs will be conducting research in a wide spectrum of research fields, ranging from the interaction between cells and intercellular substance, molecular systems immunology and physiology and Russia’s modernisation to the history of the structures of Finnish society.

Centres of Excellence in research (CoEs) are at the cutting edge of research in their respective fields. Through Finnish programmes for CoEs, the Academy of Finland provides substantial and visible direction to Finnish science.

The Academy’s CoE programmes are a significant funding scheme in the Finnish research system. By providing six-year funding, the programmes offer an excellent opportunity for research teams and consortia to carry out research of a high international standard.

You can find a list of the new Centres of Excellence at the Academy of Finland web pages: http://www.aka.fi/en-GB/A/Academy-of-Finland/Media-services/Releases1/Academy-of-Finland-selected-15-new-Centres-of-Excellence-in-Research/

Finland does well in International Student Barometer

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:24:44 GMT

Finland does well in International Student Barometer

A total of 23 Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences have taken part in a wide-ranging international survey on how satisfied international degree students and exchange students are with their educational experience in Finland. For the first time, the International Student Barometer gives internationally comparable information at national and institutional level about Finland as a study destination for international students. The Finnish section of the survey was co-ordinated and funded by CIMO.

International students happy with Finland and their Finnish institution

According to the survey, 89 per cent of the international students are generally happy or very happy with their Finnish institution of higher education and study in Finland. The happiest students come from India, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Russia, while there is most dissatisfaction among Ukrainian, Mexican, American and Hungarian students.

Of the respondents, 83.9% would recommend their Finnish institution and Finland as a destination of study to other students. This compares well to the average European figure of 80.5%, and even more favourably to the overall average rate of 79.1%.

Student satisfaction was measured in four main areas: learning, living and accommodation, support services, and services at arrival.

Material facilities and stable Finnish society score highly

The students are especially happy with the material facilities of the institutions, such as libraries, lecture rooms, laboratories, computer facilities, IT services and support services. Finland is also identified as a safe and socially stable country.

The Finnish institutions score higher than average for services at arrival and are duly commended for these arrangements. The staff at the international offices as well as the accommodation services are recognised for their excellent levels of service.

Most criticism of careers and recruitment services and living costs

There is clearly room for improvement in employment-related services. Students are also concerned about finding a job after graduation. Similarly, Finland is an expensive country to live in: judging by the international average, this is the single biggest problem for international students.

The results show that many students seek not only a degree or a student exchange in Finland but would also like to find a job here.

– That the students need careers guidance, that they wish to find their place on the Finnish job market and perhaps make their home here is something that the Finnish institutions of higher education and working life in particular should consider, says Pasi Sahlberg, Director General of CIMO.

More than 20,000 international students in Finland

While the Finnish institutions of higher education have made great strides in internationalisation, Finland continues to have fewer international students than OECD countries on average. According to Statistics Finland, the Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences had more than 14,000 international degree students and almost 9,000 exchange students in 2009. China and Russia are the biggest countries of origin for degree students, while Germany, France, Spain and Italy send a large portion of exchange students to Finland.

The students are obviously motivated by gaining a degree but most of all by a chance to find relevant employment either internationally or in Finland.

– This need is perfectly understandable. But in order to be successful, the institutions need business life, industry and the service sector to appreciate one thing: here is a pool of graduates with singularly useful cultural capital, and it would be in the interests of any internationally active business to recruit them, Sahlberg notes.

The survey enables institutions of higher education to improve their teaching and student services

The results of the survey give the participating institutions insights into where they need to improve their teaching and student services. The survey does not produce ranking information of a single country or institution as such.

The survey is based on an online questionnaire carried out in November-December 2010 with students at all levels of study, including Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral students. Almost 158,000 international students responded to the questionnaire; of these, 6,441 were students at a university or university of applied sciences in Finland.

Participating in the survey were institutions of higher education from Britain, Canada, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States. Country packs similar to that commissioned by CIMO were compiled by at least Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands.

The survey was conducted by The International Graduate Insight Group, a British consultancy and benchmarking service.

The International Graduate Insight Group

The Centre for International Mobility CIMO provides specialist services to facilitate international interaction in education, work and culture, and among the youth. Working under the Ministry of Education and Culture, CIMO manages and implements various exchange and scholarship programmes. It is the national agency for European Union education, training and youth programmes, and the information centre for the European programmes on ‘Culture’ and ‘Europe for Citizens’. CIMO also supports the teaching of Finnish language and culture at universities outside Finland.

More foreign students than ever in Finnish higher education institutions

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:50:18 GMT

More foreign students than ever in Finnish higher education institutions

The number of foreign students in Finnish higher education institutions is increasing steadily. In 2009, there were over 14,000 foreign degree students in Finland: 7,113 in the universities of applied sciences (=UAS) and 6,984 in the universities. The universities of applied sciences have been especially active in recruiting international degree students, for 5.2 per cent of all UAS students come from abroad. The corresponding number in the university sector is 4.1 per cent.

	Year 2009	Year 2000
China	2105	1011
Russia	1595	800
Nigeria	731	108
Estonia	700	469
Nepal	615	10
Sweden	530	553
Germany	478	248
Ethiopia	467	54
Pakistan	420	66
Ghana	395	105
Vietnam	395	32
India	392	47
Bangladesh	363	121
Kenya	354	82
United States	244	191

The most common countries of origin of foreign degree students in 2009 and 2000

The biggest student flows to Finland come from China and Russia. However, the biggest growth rate during the 2000s has been in the numbers of students from Nepal, Vietnam, Ethiopia and India.

The most popular fields of education for foreign degree students are engineering/technology and business. Also popular in the university sector are natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities.

International mobility makes a difference

Student exchanges and international traineeships have become more and more popular. In 2009, almost 9,400 Finnish students headed abroad on an exchange or traineeship for at least 3 months. At the same time, almost 8,800 international exchange students or trainees came to Finland.

Almost half (48%) of all outgoing exchanges and traineeships take place through the European Union’s Erasmus programme. The corresponding figure is 74% in incoming mobility.

The biggest host countries for outgoing Finnish students are Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and Sweden, while the biggest countries of origin of incoming students are Germany, France, Spain and Italy.

Asian countries are becoming increasingly important partners of student exchanges and internships. China, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan are already big target countries for Finnish students, and China and South Korea are major countries of origin for incoming students.

Yue Shen has won This Is My Finland –competition

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 13:24:00 GMT

Yue Shen has won This Is My Finland –competition

A winner has been chosen in the “This Is My Finland”- competition which was a launched among the Chinese alumni who attended CIMO’s alumni meeting in Shanghai in the beginning of June 2010.

The quality of the photos and essays we received was good and after a serious evaluation the jury made the decision of the winners. Yue Shen was chosen as a winner thanks to his warm, funny and inventive photographs and his essay which clearly showed that he had had an opportunity to get to know Finland quite well.

Yue Shen’s photographs represent the kind of Finland which is more than just snow and Santa Claus but the very Finnish concept of nature and outdoor activities are present.

“The picture of a squirrel always reminds me of the friendly relationship between mankind and nature in Finland, otherwise this squirrel wouldn’t have been this close to me for the picture.”

Lovely Pictures and Charming Stories

Two second prizes go to Huang Ming and Wen Liping. Huang Ming was rewarded for the excellent entity of her beautiful pictures and lovely essay. Wen Liping’s essay also described a very charming Finland and we want to reward her for her writing and two pictures called “Likkojen lenkki” and “Santa Claus the Big Family” because they represent Finland in two very different ways and are good photographs.

Winners of the first and the two second prizes have been notified.

Altogether there were 16 participants in this contest. We thank you all for sharing your memories of Finland with us.

Check out the winning photos as a pdf file!

Yue Shen receiving the first prize at CIMO, January 2011

With Mr Yue Shen, from left to right: Mr Juha Tähkämaa, Liaison for the Ministry of Education and Culture; Mr Pasi Sahlberg, Director, CIMO; Ms Merja Lankinen, Communications Director, CIMO

Newsweek ranked Finland as the best country

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:50:00 GMT

Newsweek ranked Finland as the best country

Finland is number one. Not in football but as a place to live in. Check the whole study on Newsweek’s website.

Master's degree programmes with possible tuition fees

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 07:16:00 GMT

Master's degree programmes with possible tuition fees

In selected English-language Master's degree programmes it will be possible for the Finnish higher education institutions to collect tuition fees starting autumn 2010, 2011 or 2012.

Tuition fees may be charged from non-EU/EEA nationals enrolled in these programmes. Those higher education institutions that choose to collect tuition fees in their English-language Master’s programmes will also provide scholarship options for non-EU/EEA students enrolled in tuition-fee carrying Master’s programmes.

Please find a list of the selected Master’s programmes, and more information here.

Bottlenecks in admissions to higher education institutions must be removed

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 07:15:00 GMT

Bottlenecks in admissions to higher education institutions must be removed

18 March 2010

A committee on delayed education and graduation to submit its repor to Minister of Education and Science Henna Virkkunen. More information on the web site of the Ministry of Education and Culture.

A total of 21,000 polytechnic degrees were attained in 2009

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:04:00 GMT

A total of 21,000 polytechnic degrees were attained in 2009

07 Apr 2010

According to Statistics Finland, a total of 21,000 polytechnic degrees were attained in Finland in 2009.

Completion of university degrees improved by over 10 percentage points

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Completion of university degrees improved by over 10 percentage points

20 May 2010

According to Statistics Finland, 44 per cent completed a university degree in five-and-a-half years, while the year before the figure was 12 percentage lower. See more on the Statistics Finland web site.

A total of 23,800 university degrees were attained in 2009

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:48:00 GMT

A total of 23,800 university degrees were attained in 2009

18 June 2010

According to Statistics Finland, a total of 23,800 university degrees were attained in Finland in 2009. More information is available on the Statistics Finland web site.

CIMO 16th Winter School 12-17 March, Helsinki, Finland

1^st call for applications

16^thCIMO WINTER SCHOOL

"Building blocks of life: from biomaterials to living organisms"

12 - 17 March 2012, Finland

The Centre for International Mobility CIMO invites applications from Russian and Ukrainian postgraduate students for participation in the 16^th Winter School organized during 12 - 17 March 2012 at Tvärminne zoological station of the University of Helsinki (http://luoto.tvarminne.helsinki.fi).

The goal of the Winter School is to enhance the mobility of young researchers and postgraduate students between Finland and the participating countries and to increase the cooperation between the universities. Before applying for participation in the 16^th Winter School, the applicants are expected to contact one or more scientists/research group leaders at Finnish universities to discuss a possible project with them. Expression of interest by the Finnish host will be considered an advantage during the selection process.

Those Winter School participants who will be invited to Finland after the Winter School by Finnish research teams will be offered a scholarship from the CIMO Fellowship programme. The invited participants of the Winter School will be expected to come to work or study in Finland for 3 to 18 months. In 2011, the monthly amount of scholarship was 1200 euro.

The 16^th CIMO Winter School is multidisciplinary - not for a particular, narrow field of science, but rather for a scientific topic. This time, the school focuses on biomolecules and biomaterials in their many aspectsembracing topics from biochemistry, structural biology, molecular and cell biology, imaging, neuroscience, medicine and molecular medicine.

Applications from related fields, such as biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, physiology, bioenergetics, mitochondrial functions and diseases, imaging of cells, neuroscience, molecular medicine and medicine, etc. are welcome.

The school tends to stimulate active participation and discussion. The untraditional working method has been specially developed for the Winter School and it aims at enhancing the strength of participants’ own personal expertise, problem-solving capabilities, scientific presentation skills and creative mind.

Tentative themes of the days:

Biomaterials
Mitochondria, mitochondrial function and diseases
Imaging of cells and organs
Epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment of diabetes

More detailed information about the scientific programme as well as teachers will be published in September.

Applications for participation

Written applications for participation are welcome from Russian and Ukrainian postgraduate students.The applicants must be citizens of Russia or Ukraine and not over 35 years of age. Applications are not accepted from those who have participated in one of the previous Winter Schools.

The application form (doc)

Application deadline

The deadline for applications is 21 October 2011. The complete paper versions of applications should reach CIMO by that date.

Financial assistance/grants

No participation fee is charged from the participants. Accommodation in student halls of residence and meals at course site are covered by CIMO. CIMO will also award a travel grant covering partial expense of the participants’ travel between their home town and Helsinki.

Contact persons at CIMO

Tarja Mäkelä, Programme Coordinator: tarja.makela(at)cimo.fi
Hannele Ahti, Programme Manager>: hannele.ahti(at)cimo.fi

Centre for International Mobility CIMO
P.O. Box 343 (Hakaniemenranta 6)
00531 Helsinki
FINLAND

Phone +358 207 868 500 (switchboard)
Fax +358 207 868 601

News

Finnish language studies at Summer Universities 2012

Finnish language courses at Summer Universities 2012

For further information, please contact the Association of Summer Universities in Finland

tel +358 (0)3 214 7626

infoa@kesayliopistot.fi

Academy of Finland selected 15 new Centres of Excellence in Research

Academy of Finland selected 15 new Centres of Excellence in Research

Finland does well in International Student Barometer

Finland does well in International Student Barometer

International students happy with Finland and their Finnish institution

Material facilities and stable Finnish society score highly

Most criticism of careers and recruitment services and living costs

More than 20,000 international students in Finland

The survey enables institutions of higher education to improve their teaching and student services

More foreign students than ever in Finnish higher education institutions

More foreign students than ever in Finnish higher education institutions

The most common countries of origin of foreign degree students in 2009 and 2000

International mobility makes a difference

Yue Shen has won This Is My Finland –competition

Check out the winning photos as a pdf file!

Newsweek ranked Finland as the best country

Newsweek ranked Finland as the best country

Master's degree programmes with possible tuition fees

Master's degree programmes with possible tuition fees

Bottlenecks in admissions to higher education institutions must be removed

Bottlenecks in admissions to higher education institutions must be removed

A total of 21,000 polytechnic degrees were attained in 2009

A total of 21,000 polytechnic degrees were attained in 2009

Completion of university degrees improved by over 10 percentage points

Completion of university degrees improved by over 10 percentage points

A total of 23,800 university degrees were attained in 2009

A total of 23,800 university degrees were attained in 2009

CIMO 16th Winter School 12-17 March, Helsinki, Finland

16thCIMO WINTER SCHOOL

"Building blocks of life: from biomaterials to living organisms"

Tentative themes of the days:

Applications for participation

Application deadline

Financial assistance/grants

Contact persons at CIMO

16^thCIMO WINTER SCHOOL