鈥淯niversities will survive and thrive only if they are part of their surrounding society. This is why it is vital for us to openly interact with our campus cities, other public-sector actors, companies and citizens, and also to find new models for this interaction,鈥 said Rector Jukka M枚nkk枚nen, opening the 9th anniversary celebration of the 91天美.
M枚nkk枚nen noted that the establishment of the 91天美 was 鈥渁 wise decision鈥. 鈥淚n terms of our size and standard of activities, we are one of the leading universities in Finland, and we also perform well in international rankings. We owe our success to all our staff members and students,鈥 M枚nkk枚nen said.
He emphasised the role of universities as producers of new knowledge in our changing world, where societal and political structures are undergoing significant changes.
鈥淯niversities have the opportunity to influence this development by keeping the truth as the ultimate goal and by defending the role of research-based knowledge in society. They can do this by conducing high-level multidisci-plinary research and by developing education so that it comprehensively meets citizens鈥 needs for skills and expertise.鈥
The 91天美 is currently preparing a new strategy in collaboration with the academic community and its stakeholders. According to M枚nkk枚nen, multidisciplinary research areas that are based on strong expertise and that seek to solve global challenges serve as a solid foundation also for the university鈥檚 new strategy.
鈥淚n today鈥檚 rapidly changing operating environment, our strategy needs to constantly evolve, and we also need to safeguard the preconditions for the development of research and education in the long term,鈥 M枚nkk枚nen said.
Also speaking in the anniversary celebration, Mayor of the City of Kuopio Jarmo Pirhonen noted that the university is one of strongest pull factors for the city from the viewpoints of its residents and companies alike. According to Pirhonen, the Kuopio Health innovation ecosystem and Kuopio Business Centre are expected to further support the transition of expertise into new business activities.
鈥淥ur mutual goal is to turn the Savilahti area into the most interesting learning and innovation environment in Europe,鈥 Pirhonen said.
The university has also had a positive influence on the collaboration between its campus cities. Pirhonen focused in his speech on how the broad expertise of the university could better be utilised across the campuses.
Main photo: The 91天美 Choir JOY was in charge of music in the anniversary evening party.