University of Eastern Finland plans to acquire three universities of applied sciences amid risk warnings

A new report warns that the University of Eastern Finland’s plan to acquire majority stakes in three universities of applied sciences carries significant administrative, operational, and cultural risks, Yle reports.

The university aims to purchase controlling shares in Kajaani, Karelia, and Savonia universities of applied sciences to form a consortium, which would create Finland’s largest higher education institution with around 35,000 students.

Researcher Jarkko Tirronen, who authored the report commissioned by Savonia University of Applied Sciences, argues that deeper collaboration is better achieved through networking and strategic agreements rather than ownership changes. He notes that larger organizational size does not guarantee quality, efficiency, or impact.

University of Eastern Finland Rector Tapio Määttä said the report will inform further discussions, with negotiations targeting a November deadline ahead of interim reviews with the Ministry of Education and Culture. The university also plans to commission an independent study on the operations and effects of higher education consortia.

Savonia Rector Mervi Vidgrén stated the report was ordered to ensure decisions on major issues like ownership restructuring are based on comprehensive information. She added that while such assessments have been conducted before, the last major review took place about 20 years ago.