In his opening speech, Rector Antti Syväjärvi focused on education, on the new Government Programme from the viewpoint of a cultured university, and on the capability of Lapland to retain talent in the region.

– Education has been part of the past and present of Finnish society, and surely it is to be part of our future as well. Education must be fostered and people must be reminded of it, as its position is not always self-evident, guaranteed, or expressly “insured”. Education and expertise are connected to everything: They form the foundation which our prospering university, and society in general, are built upon, Syväjärvi said.

As regards the new Government Programme, Rector Syväjärvi thinks that it contains positive elements for a cultured university in light of university education and research.

– The value of university education and the value of expertise in general for Finnish society is recognised, as the university index will not be cut and there will be investments in research, development, and innovation. The Government commits itself to increasing research and development funding to four percent of the GDP by 2030. Our university, the university consortium, and Lapland must take their share of this Syväjärvi noted.

Syväjärvi also discussed Lapland’s ability to retain talent from the viewpoint of academic education. In Lapland, the share of people with an academic education is below the national average.

– Higher education institutions are expected to increase the number of international students significantly by 2030. A large number of them should be retained and given job opportunities in Finland. We should be able to offer graduates jobs that match their education and to integrate them into Lapland and Finnish society, Syväjärvi pointed out.


The increasing value of the North is redeemed through collaboration and active engagement

The other speakers at the ceremony were Lapland’s County Governor Mika Riipi, Chair of the Board of the Student Union of the University of Lapland Viljo Vuorimäki, and Chair of the Board of the University of Lapland Hannele Niemi.

County Governor Mika Riipi emphasised the increasing value and potential of the North, which is influenced by the new geopolitical situation, the green transition, and, from the viewpoint of security of supply, the fact that Lapland shares a land border with Sweden and Norway. According to Riipi, redeeming the increase in value is largely in our own hands.

– First, we need to continue advancing regional collaboration in the Cap of the North. Second, we must seriously consider the challenges related to coordinating the use of our natural resources. The third challenge is an ancient one in all northern regions: How to avoid a future where we end up being a resource repository serving the growth of other regions or countries. We need knowledge that helps us make decisions and safeguard our interests, Riipi noted.

– The seamless cooperation of all actors enables us to achieve sustainable success in our province. The university and the whole education and research sector in Lapland are key to this cooperation, Riipi stressed.

Viljo Vuorimäki, chair of the Board of the Student Union, emphasised the importance of the Arctic regions, internationalisation, well-being, and societal influencing. He urged students to assume an active role as regards Arctic possibilities, research, and education; the activities of student communities and organisations; and participation in societal development.

Hannele Niemi, chair of the Board of the University of Lapland, addressed the significance and future of our university.

– As far as universities go, the University of Lapland is a small one. But being small is a strength when it affords something special. This spearhed has clearly become sharper in recent years: We have strong expertise and a special mission when it comes to Arctic issues, Niemi said.

Music in the opening ceremony was performed by the Meri-Lappi Quartet and the choir of our training school.