Jyväskylä Universities
The group strengthens both JYU and Jamk, as well as the position of Jyväskylä and Central Finland as an educational hub. Our community leverages the mutually reinforcing potential of an international research university and a working life oriented university of applied sciences.
Through university research and the RDI activities of the university of applied science, we will work together to create solutions that benefit society.
We offer students high-quality, flexible education and create solutions for businesses and public organisations to meet the needs of a changing world. The university group will be implemented through six development programmes in 2026–2030. The core tasks of the higher education institutions will remain as defined in the Universities Act and the Universities of Applied Sciences Act.
The Internationally Attractive, Impactful and Innovative Education development programme aims to build an internationally attractive education system that transforms learning and enhances its impact, alongside a coherent degree portfolio where the higher education institutions collaborate to provide clear pathways from undergraduate to postgraduate studies, including international students.
The Vibrant RDI Ecosystem development programme aims to strengthen the international connections and competitiveness of Jyväskylä Universities while building a strong innovation ecosystem that supports business growth, fosters new entrepreneurial activity and enhances regional vitality.
The Management Structure and Identity development programme reinforces the shared strategic goals of the higher education group in order to increase the group’s competitiveness, attractiveness, and impact. Agile management structures and a collaborative organisational culture support success in a rapidly changing operating environment. The goal is to establish a clear profile and a strong international brand for Jyväskylä Universities.
The Capable and Thriving Higher Education Community development programme seeks to foster a thriving higher education community rich in opportunities, where up-to-date expertise and learning, continuous development, and community wellbeing support one another.
The goal of the Effective and Financially Sustainable Services development programme is to ensure that the services of the higher education institutions form a high-quality, cost-efficient whole that leverages the group’s expertise and strengthens competitiveness. These services support the institutions’ core mission and enable sustainable renewal, a positive student and staff experience, and long-term success.
The ICT and Technologies development programme aims to build a shared, controlled and cost-efficient digital environment that supports the higher education institutions’ teaching, research and other core activities. The goal is to establish unified operating models, services and technological solutions that enable seamless collaboration, a high-quality user experience and effective development. A shared data and architecture platform supports data-driven management, while a purposefully integrated cloud and on-premises infrastructure ensures operational security and continuity.
The preparation phase, concluding at the end of 2025, has included changes to the ownership arrangements (letter of intent, shareholder agreement, sale), negotiations with the Ministry of Education and Culture, and the drafting of a preliminary implementation plan for the new university group (Jyväskylä model).
At the beginning of 2026, the orientation phase (January– June 2026) will begin, during which the plan will be further refined in cooperation with staff and the student unions JYY and JAMKO.
At the concept development phase (June–October 2026), a more detailed picture of the transition will be created, and the resources and a more specific timetable for the development projects will be defined. Subsequently, the long-term plan will be further refined through, among other means, the universities’ strategy work and in preparation for contract negotiations with the Ministry of Education and Culture during 2026–2027.
The implementation phase will be carried out according to the phased concept plan through the development programmes, primarily during 2026–2030. There will also be continuous dialogue with staff and students throughout the implementation phase.
The group includes
- rectors Jari Ojala and Vesa Saarikoski
- vice rectors Marja-Leena Laakso, Pasi Raiskinmäki, Minna-Maaria Hiekkataipale, Mika Karjalainen
- Finance and Service Director Päivi Seppä
- Director of Administration Mikko R. Salminen
Internal steering groups from JYU and Jamk will support the internal coordination and decision-making within the institutions.
The transition will be further supported by a coordination group responsible for the operational management of the preparatory work and change communication, as well as for supporting, developing, and maintaining a situational overview. The coordination group is led by Development Manager Piia Honkanen from Jamk and Development Director Jarkko Pirkkalainen from JYU and Project Manager Anu Kettunen. Group also includes leaders of the development programmes, communications directors and executive directors of JYY and JAMKO.
