A delegation from Yonsei University led by President Dong-Sup Yoon visited the University of Helsinki on 1 April 2025. The partnership agreement signed during the visit will boost research initiatives and provide new opportunities for students and staff in both universities.
The University of Helsinki and South Korea's Yonsei University have taken the next step in their collaboration by forging a strategic partnership. This landmark agreement aims to boost research initiatives, enhance academic excellence, and provide new opportunities for students and staff between the two globally renowned institutions.
Rector Sari Lindblom of the University of Helsinki emphasised the significance of this partnership.
"Yonsei University is a key partner for us due to their outstanding research capabilities and strong commitment to research excellence and innovation. We are particularly proud that initiating this strategic partnership will not only enhance our academic and research endeavors but also provide our students with invaluable international exposure," Rector Lindblom said.
The Agreement on Strategic Partnership was signed during a Yonsei University visit to Helsinki on 1 April 2025. The Yonsei University delegation was led by President Dong-Sup Yoon, who congratulated both universities.
"This Strategic Partnership with the University of Helsinki marks a significant milestone for our two institutions. I believe it will foster deeper academic exchange between our students and faculty and empower us to work together on solutions to the pressing global challenges humanity faces today," President Yoon remarked.
The University of Helsinki and Yonsei University previously signed an agreement to establish collaborative projects, which resulted in the launch of the universities' first Joint Seed Funding Call in spring 2025.
The seed funding call welcomed joint proposals on the themes of health, society, and computing, aiming to bring research groups together to prepare for Horizon Europe funding applications and strengthen research collaboration.
After the signing, the delegation also visited the Meilahti Campus - one of the best medical campuses in Europe. The delegation was warmly welcomed by Professor Johanna Arola, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and Professor Jari Koistinaho, Director of the Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE). During the visit, the delegation was introduced to some of the fields in which the Meilahti Campus engages in top research activities, such as cancer research.
