In her speech on 26 March at the University's anniversary celebration, Rector Lindblom highlighted the significance of the University in promoting breakthroughs, strengthening young people's confidence in the future and unwaveringly advocating European values.
Wars being waged near our borders, the sustainability crisis and geopolitical changes are shaking our confidence in the future and, surrounded by change, societal institutions are repositioning themselves. In her speech at the University of Helsinki's anniversary celebration, Rector Sari Lindblom emphasised that the great challenges of our time can be solved only by changing the way people think and act.
"Major breakthroughs in life begin with us: in our thoughts and our everyday lives. Therefore, the changes individuals make are key to changing the world and kindling hope in society," Lindblom said.
"The insights and discoveries by students and researchers bring fundamental changes to the world. Together we make scientific breakthroughs that impact the lives of every one of us across generations and disciplines," she added.
Lindblom noted that the University of Helsinki has been a gateway to the future for young people since 1640.
"Young people must be able to trust us to provide them with the relevant skills to take them through critical times in the future."
In February, the University of Helsinki published a list of 30 promising individuals aged 30 or under representing different fields.
"As a leading international university, we aim to nurture versatile talent in a range of ways. Of equal importance is to lower the threshold of university studies for all and also to reach young people from families with no academic background," pointed out Lindblom.
The University at the service of society
As society changes, it is crucial to have continuous access to state-of-the-art knowledge. This is ensured by long-term multidisciplinary research. Sari Lindblom emphasised that the University of Helsinki's strengths lie in the knowledge that brings together the humanities, life sciences and social and natural sciences.
"Broad-based scholarly expertise is a service to society as well. The fields in need of experts keep changing, and we anticipate change through research. This way, we are in a position to offer the research-based expertise currently in high demand, such as in education in the health and social services and safety and security sectors. We also have the capacity to provide solutions to the sustainability crisis and the challenges presented by the use of artificial intelligence."
In this day and age, also the role of universities as unwavering advocates of European values is of utmost importance.
"The values of the University of Helsinki - truth, Bildung, freedom and inclusivity - set an example for the wider society. Our values guide us in our active efforts to promote solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss while advancing a fair society. Every day we strive to promote equality, diversity and accessibility," said Rector Lindblom.
The Rector also highlighted the visit of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb at the University of Helsinki.
"We had the great honour of hosting the President of Ukraine and the President of the Republic of Finland here at the University for a discussion with students and other community members on the role of Europe standing with Ukraine. The presidents reminded students of the importance of remaining hopeful and of the potential of students to make a difference in the world. As President Stubb stated, young people are the leaders of the future, shaping the world. The University is a place where you can seize the future while building hope."
Best results through collaboration with various partners
Lindblom emphasised that the best way to get research knowledge and the top experts in various field to bring hope and solutions to the whole world is to collaborate with various parties in society.
"Through us, businesses can reach young experts of the future and learn about the latest research knowledge. Our partnerships can open the way for new significant initiatives that benefit the University, businesses and the wider society."
Lindblom pointed out that solving global challenges, maintaining national competitiveness and providing public and private services in the future are possible only through new insights.
"Sustainable growth is not about producing more of the same or variations of the same."
In the field of RDI activities, development and innovation draw on research. New knowledge and ideas are based on solid basic research.
"Supporting researcher-driven scholarship is the publicly funded foundation that engenders genuinely innovative and surprising solutions, services and applications. What is needed for the advancement of both research and development is funding directly earmarked for universities," the rector summed up.
