Come and develop the University’s operations – Register by 4 April
Three groups developing the University’s operating structure and management system will consider research infrastructures, communications, and the engagement of international staff and students.
The University of Helsinki’s operating structure and management system (TOIJO) were assessed last year, and the results were published in February.
To put the results into action, the rector has appointed a working group to outline the operating structure to be introduced at the beginning of 2026 and determine the associated management model.
This working group will focus on the development areas highlighted by the assessment group, including clear decision-making processes and a clear operating and management structure, increased opportunities for community members to influence decisions, and better conditions for research and interdisciplinarity activities.
“The task given to our working group is so extensive that we decided to establish three subgroups to tackle it. These groups will concentrate on research infrastructures, communications, and the engagement of international staff and students,” says Vice-Rector Jouni Hirvonen, who chairs the working group.
The working group will select 7–10 individuals for each of the groups based on the information applicants submit through the form. All applicants will be notified personally of the selection decision. The names of the selected group members will be published on the TOIJO site on Flamma.
Applicants not placed in any group can register to comment on the group reports. Further information on this opportunity will be provided when the group members have been selected.
The groups and their duties:
1. Research infrastructure group
- Consider how the use, maintenance and development of the University research infrastructures should be arranged and funded to strengthen interdisciplinary activities, increase the shared use of research equipment, and develop cost-effective solutions that are based on common needs and support scholarly research and the University’s pioneering role
- Produce at least one model, including descriptions of activities and management, for turning the infrastructures spread across the University into efficient and well-functioning systems
- Reflect on other infrastructure issues the group considers important
2. Engagement of international staff and students group
- Consider and propose practical ways to increase the engagement opportunities of international staff and students in the University community
- Develop solutions to promote their participation in the University’s decision-making
- Examine how the University can best strengthen its position in the international academic environment
- Reflect on other international issues relevant to the group’s work
3. Communications group
- Consider how the University’s internal communications can be clarified, and how the channels used can be made more accessible and easy to use
- Seek ways to clarify the language used in communications channels and increase trilingual (Finnish, Swedish, English) communications based on the University language policy
- Contemplate options for preparing decisions transparently and accessibly to the University community
- Reflect on courses of action to increase opportunities for community members to influence the preparation of decisions
The three groups will work from 15 April to 15 August.
Register here by submitting an application form on 4 April the latest.
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Photo: Bea Karlstedt