Boards of JYU and Jamk to consider proposal for joint higher education services

The aim of preparatory work is to safeguard high-quality, effective and financially sustainable services while curbing cost increases. Joint higher education services would support the institutions’ core activities and provide users with a seamless service experience. They would combine strong specialist expertise with close links to the institutions’ units.

Services would be developed jointly

The preparatory work is based on the idea of the University of Jyväskylä and Jamk University of Applied Sciences sharing services that serve both institutions. Most of the joint services would be provided in such a way that JYU would generally serve as the employer for joint services, but Jamk would also serve as the employer in some cases. Some services could remain institution-specific for justified reasons, while others could be provided by external service providers.

If the arrangement involves employees transferring from one employer to another, the preparatory work would proceed based on a transfer of business. In this case, the employees would transfer to the new employer while retaining their status as existing employees.

Planning would proceed in stages

If the boards approve the proposal, further planning will clarify how the services will be structured, managed and overseen, as well as the stages and timetable for implementation. The rectors will lead the planning, and the directors responsible for the

services will participate in the preparatory work. The planning process would also involve experts and service users from various service areas.

According to the preliminary timetable, the planning phase would be completed by 31 March 2027. This would be followed by service area-specific planning. The first services could be merged on 1 September 2027 at the earliest. Based on the preliminary timetable, the last services would be merged by 1 January 2029. The change would apply to both centralised services and services provided within the institutions’ units.

Staff briefings on the boards’ decisions

Teams briefings for employees of both institutions are planned for 24 November. The briefing for JYU employees is scheduled for 8.30–9.00 a.m. and the briefing for Jamk employees for 9.00–9.30 a.m.

At the briefings, Rectors Jari Ojala and Vesa Saarikoski, Finance and Service Director Päivi Seppä, and Director of Administration Mikko R. Salminen will explain the boards’ decisions and their implications for the preparatory work.

Staff can ask questions during the briefings or submit them in advance to viestinta@jyu.fi. The briefings will be recorded.