As part of the academic mobility programme, postgraduate students of the Institute of Higher Education of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine visited the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland in Helsinki. The young scientists from Ukraine got acquainted with the Finnish-centric model of educational policy making, which involves transparency in decision-making and the importance of trust between the government and universities.

 Speakers Maija Innola and Kaisu Piiroinen shared interesting facts that became the subject of further discussion during the meeting. In particular, the following.

Since 2010, Finnish universities have had an autonomous legal status. They have become independent institutions operating under private or public law. This allows them to manage resources more flexibly, enter into contracts and formulate their own development policy.

Financing of higher education institutions is based on a mixed model: public funding (through a formula and performance indicators), own revenues, international grants, and partnership projects with businesses.

Research activities are funded at the level of about 4% of the state budget, which is evidence of the priority of science for the country.

More than 6,200 Ukrainian students are currently studying in Finland, many of them refugees who have access to educational programmes, grants and social support.

 The young Ukrainian researchers express special gratitude to their lecturers Kateryna Suprun, Karol Leija and Jussi Kivisto for the warmth of communication, meaningful conversations and introduction to the national highlights of the country.