University of Helsinki
As a result of the government decisions, on 16th of September the University of Helsinki communicated the large saving measures that will be launched at the university. Because the cuts will strike heavily on those who work for science in Finland, the board of the Association of Doctoral Students at the University of Helsinki has decided to support the workers‘ demonstration that is to be held tomorrow, Friday 19th September at the Railway square at 11 am.
In practice the saving measures will result in co-determination negotiations that will concern the entire staff. The goal is to reduce the staff by a maximum of 1200 persons by the year 2020. The university is also preparing to introduce tuition fees for students from non EU and EEA countries. The basic funding of the universities is likely to be permanently cut which means research results will be increasingly controlled by business interests as the pressure to commercialize results increases.
The entire message is available on the intranet Flamma
Despite the cuts, the goal is for the University of Helsinki to remain a top university. However, the measures the university is now forced to take are completely inconsistent with this goal as it is clear that cuts of this magnitude will jeopardize both teaching and research. For example LERU’s recent report pointed out that universities have a key role in creating jobs also outside the public sector and that they thus contribute to the welfare of society and therefore should not be seen only as an expense for the state.
By participating in the demonstration, the association wants to show its opposition towards the government’s short-sighted and ill-judged cuts.
The board of the Association will meet up at the entrance of Kirjasto 10 (Library 10, Elielinaukio 2) at 10.30 – you are most welcome to join us!