Talks begin on creating Finland’s largest higher education institution

Negotiations to establish Finland’s largest university through a merger of four institutions will start on Tuesday, reports national broadcaster Yle. The proposed institution would serve 35,000 students across three regions.

The University of Eastern Finland has invited the owners of Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, and Karelia University of Applied Sciences to discussions in Kuopio. The goal is to create a single higher education body covering North Savo, North Karelia, and Kainuu.

Behind the initiative is the university’s aim to restructure ownership, as it seeks to bring the universities of applied sciences under its control. While Savonia has already stated it is open to deeper cooperation but not a transfer of ownership, Kajaani remains in talks.

Minna Leinonen, chair of Kajaani’s city board, confirmed that the municipality intends to negotiate both collaboration and potential ownership changes. “A decision will be made after the talks,” she said.

Kajaani University of Applied Sciences has drawn interest from another suitor: the University of Oulu has also expressed a long-standing desire to acquire it. However, Leinonen noted that no formal negotiation request has yet been received from Oulu.

The university’s expertise in fields like gaming has been highlighted as a key asset in the potential merger.