Jyväskylä University Foundation

The roots of the Jyväskylä University Foundation lie in the beginning of the 20th century when plans were made to establish a university in Jyväskylä. In January 1918, the Jyväskylä University Association was founded to achieve this goal.

The establishment of the Jyväskylä College of Education in 1934 marked a major step towards achieving the goal of establishing a university. The name of the college was changed to the University of Jyväskylä in 1966, marking the fulfilment of the association’s goal. At that time, the association’s statutes were amended so that its mission became both the financial and intellectual support of the university.

At the turn of the millennium, the University Association’s assets were transferred to a foundation, and the Jyväskylä University Foundation has continued its activities since then.

Close cooperation has always been important to both the University Foundation and the University of Jyväskylä. As a foundation, we have grown alongside the university, and we are proud of the work we have done.

The purpose of the Jyväskylä University Foundation is to support the University of Jyväskylä’s activities financially and through public communication efforts.

In accordance with its statutes, the Foundation promotes the University of Jyväskylä’s mission, supports the University’s activities financially, and awards grants and scholarships for research and teaching within the University. The Foundation promotes interaction and cooperation between the University and the business community in Central Finland. The members of the Supervisory Board represent a broad range of business and municipal decision-makers.

The Jyväskylä University Foundation operates in accordance with Finnish foundation law, other laws and regulations, its own bylaws and the guidelines set by the University Foundation Board of Trustees. The Foundation’s bodies are the Supervisory Board, the Board of Trustees and the Selection Committee. The Board of Trustees represents the Foundation and manages its affairs. The day-to-day administrative affairs are handled by the Foundation’s representative. The Supervisory Board oversees the activities of the Foundation and elects the members of the Board of Trustees. The Selection Committee nominates the members of the Supervisory Board and the members of the Board of Trustees.

The University Foundation provides annual support for scientific research, teaching and other activities at the University of Jyväskylä through donations and grants. In recent years, the Foundation has supported, for example, the establishment of a company to promote the commercialisation of research results, events to mark the Finland 100 centenary celebrations, and the organisation of the Conferment of Degrees Ceremony for all faculties in May 2019.

The Foundation annually awards prizes to selected individuals from the University of Jyväskylä. The prizes are an incentive for teachers, researchers and thesis writers to reach for the highest standards of achievement.

The University Foundation of Jyväskylä also manages the funds of Rector Emerita Aino Sallinen and Professor Kari Sajavaara.

To increase interaction between the University and the business community in Central Finland, the Foundation organises cooperation seminars with the University. The seminars address current topics related to the economy and the University. The theme of the 2016 seminar was “University: The Growth Engine of Society in 2025?” and in 2017, a seminar was organised in honour of Rector Matti Manninen under the theme “Research: Alone or Together”.

The University Foundation’s financial activities are based on investment income. The University Foundation invests its assets in a long-term and prudent manner, managing investment risks. The Foundation’s assets are invested in apartment shares and diversified investment funds. The use of the assets is decided by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

The University’s grants and subsidies are mainly funded by the return on capital invested.

The University Foundation’s last fundraising event was in 2013, to mark the 150th anniversary of the University of Jyväskylä. There have been no collections since then.

The University Foundation of Jyväskylä accepts donations and bequests, which can be allocated to the various research and teaching areas of the University according to the wishes of the donor.