University of Oulu Annual Report 2011

Year | 2011

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h e a lt h

entrepreneurship

lifelong learning

internationality

information technology

natural resources

environment i n n ovat i o n s

multidisciplinary

mater ials

research

life sciences development science

clean technology

interaction

cultur al identit y

An international community of researchers and teachers, the University of Oulu aims at promoting new knowledge, wellbeing and culture. Its open-minded approach to combining natural, human and technological sciences forms a unique foundation for multidisciplinary research, innovation and education. In addition to providing high standard education for all its students, the university seeks to reach an international top level in selected focus areas.

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LAURI LAJUNEN Rector

Rector’s Preview Continuing to implement its strategy, the University of Oulu proceeded to align its practices with the new Universities Act. However, as it became apparent that the strategy needed updating, an effort to that effect was launched in spring 2011.

Feedback received from the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture was largely positive. The ministry was particularly impressed with the revised strategy and the attendant measures to strengthen education and research and to raise their overall quality, together with the structural development initiatives designed to support these objectives.

Also applauded were the university’s role in promoting innovation cooperation within the Oulu Region and its intense contacts to leading research institutes.

Owing to the newly instituted PhD support measures, a record number of doctorates, 182 in all, were awarded during the reporting year. This brought the three-year average up to the target level, increasing the university’s proportion of all PhDs awarded in Finland to 9.9 per cent.

A total of 1314 Master’s degrees were completed in 2011. Although that figure falls short of the target, Oulu’s output, relative to all completed Master’s degrees during the three-year period in Finland, rose from 9.3 per cent in 2010 to 10.4 per cent in 2011. In addition, 1177 students earned a Bachelor’s degree.

Also on the increase was the number of scientific publications and that of foreign students.

In terms of the Finland Distinguished Professor (FiDiPro) Programme, offered jointly by the Academy of Finland and Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, it is safe to say that the university has been successful. Besides eight FiDiPro professors, two FiDiPro fellows also worked at the 4

“At their core, all these activities are multi- and cross-disciplinary in nature, with an international focus throughout.” university last year. Six of the professors and both fellows were active in the Faculty of Technology, while the remaining two worked in the Faculty of Science.

Another major development is the fact that the university has succeeded in balancing its economy according to plan. One significant step in this effort, discontinuing the activities of the Kajaani Department of Teacher Education, has entered a transition phase, and all remaining measures, such as personnel transfers and reductions as well as handing over presently occupied premises, will be implemented in 2013.

Regional activities have been collected under the banner of the Kajaani University Consor tium, whose key cooperation par tners include the Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, University of Eastern Finland, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Centre for Metrology and Accreditation.

Operational units of the consor tium are CEMIS, a contract-based joint research and training centre specializing in measurement and information systems, and Aikopa, whose focus lies on adult and continuing education.

Construction of five innovation clusters, commenced in 2008 under guidance of the Oulu Innovation Alliance, was finally completed during the year under review.

These clusters center around internet research (Center for Internet Excellence CIE), printable electronics (Center for Printed Intelligence PrintoCent) and international business (Martti Ahtisaari Institute MAI).

In addition, the university participated in the establishment of an innovation cluster for health, medical technology and biosciences (Centre for Health and Technology CHT) and a cluster for environment and energy (Centre for Environment and Energy

CEE). Run as three-year programmes, these clusters, drawing on the combined strengths of the university and the Oulu University of Applied Sciences, as well as regional research institutes and businesses, are intended to produce spin-off companies and create employment opportunities.

Several initiatives were taken to boost international programmes and activities. Collaboration with Japanese par tners was extended by setting up a research unit in Yokohama, Japan. Known as CWC Nippon, this unit strives to ensure further collaboration, encourage multidisciplinary research and create international collaboration models with business partners. According to plan, the wheels will be set in motion during 2012.

Finnish-American cooperation will be enhanced in future by the WiFiUS Institute, focusing on research and development in wireless network technologies.

The institute will be directed and coordinated by the university’s Centre for Wireless Communications (CWC).

The year also witnessed implementation of the first education export initiatives. Teacher training expertise was transferred to Armenia and Namibia, and a Medical Faculty was founded at the University of Namibia based on the Oulu model.

June 30, 2011 marked the closing of the university’s first ever fundraising campaign. Returns on the assets go toward suppor ting multidisciplinary focus areas in research and teaching, for example, by recruiting top-notch researchers, strengthening postgraduate education, launching new research and education programmes and developing innovative research and teaching environments. At their core, all these activities are multi- and cross-disciplinary in nature, with an international focus throughout.

HANS SÖDERLUND Chairman of the University Board

Chairman’s Overview Being knowledge intensive, the economic structure of the Oulu Region leans heavily on innovative businesses. A multidisciplinary scientific university adds value to its operating environment through research and education, while indirectly strengthening its cultural diversity. Cooperation between the university and society is constructive and rich in content.

Innovator status, however, is not permanent, but requires constant renewal. Global competition is ruthless among the creators of knowledge, i.e., universities, and consumers thereof, i.e., high-tech companies. One of the chief aims of the university is to make every effort to assure and solidify the quality and impact of its activities. In this environment, only highstandard, internationally significant research matters.

Quality of the teaching offered by the university must assure that graduates have a competitive edge on the global employment market. This is not intended to elevate above others faculties that are able to directly utilize their research findings – positive indirect results, too, can only be achieved by reliable quality in all activities. It is very gratifying to note that, as far as the University of Oulu is concerned, all relevant indicators point in the right direction.

In the course of 2011, the university elaborated its strategy. The intention was not so much to overhaul the strategy of 2010, but rather to refine it to better address the essential strategic goals of the university.

One such central goal is to enable further quality assurance of research and education.

A fundamental value of the university is academic freedom. Researchers should be completely free to select their research topics and methodologies. In terms of quality assurance, however, it is vital that they possess sufficient knowledge and skills and that the equipment at their disposal is up to scratch. This leads to the emergence of research focus areas. And by intensifying cross-disciplinary ties within the focus areas, we increase their overall impact, while leaving room for academic freedom.

New teaching methods impose different requirements on facilities. As a result, the use of lecture rooms will diminish, while the demand for co-operative instruction facilities and ICT increases.

Both national economy and university finances depend on and benefit from shorter graduation times and a higher output of degrees. To remove unnecessary obstacles from study paths, the university reviews its teaching processes and ensures that all programmes promote faster study completion. More extensive Bachelor programmes and more advanced Master’s programmes allow students an improved overview of the possibilities within their chosen field and, consequently, enable them to make more informed choices when selecting a major subject for Master’s degree.

A core strength of the university is a good and enthusiastic student population. We can attract talented students by offering high-class programmes, but it is equally important to provide an active and pleasant academic environment. International attractiveness hinges on these very same factors. The entire university community, researchers, teachers, support service staff and students all have their part to play in creating an atmosphere that the good reputation of the university is built on.

Teaching methods are undergoing steady evolution.

Because simple ex cathedr a lec tures are not compatible with modern ideas about high-quality teaching, interactive methods and creative problemoriented teaching are rising to the fore. Also the University of Oulu is developing its teaching and learning methods along these lines, starting with the programmes in its focus areas.

As it is, the University of Oulu has a thriving Department of Education and a strong information technology base. We thus have all the attributes necessar y to drive teaching development and promote our education export.

“In this environment, only highstandard, internationally significant research matters.”

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TAINA PIHLAJANIEMI Vice Rector – Provost for Science and Research

Networking to Strengthen Research Honing its profile as a science-based university with an international reputation for high-quality, the University of Oulu pursues its goal of further raising its research quality and international attractiveness.

Research in selected focus areas is well-established, extensive in scope and multi-disciplinary in character.

At the core of research are the university’s focus areas: Biosciences and Health, Information Technology, Cultural Identity and Interaction, as well as Environment, Natural Resources and Materials. Development areas, on the other hand, are up-and-coming research areas with a narrower range of coverage, and whose research profile and structure are only being forged.

Current development areas are Mining and Mineral Engineering, Advanced Steels Research, Business Studies and Economics as well as Research-Based Teacher Education.

The goal is to create internationally competitive research programmes that draw on the synergistic interactions of the various research groups. Focus and development areas already boast extensive multidisciplinary research centres, focused research units and networks, researcher training and international Master’s programmes and research infrastructures. Research networks emerge through regional and international partnerships.

Research infrastructures have been identified by focus and development area, and they have been allocated resources from the university’s strategic funds as well as financing derived from the European Regional Development Fund. Strategic funding was directed primarily to endeavours characterized by joint use of resources and comprehensive and effective planning.

To foster research and international contacts in key focus area, so-called recruitment packages were introduced to enable the establishment of junior research groups with an active publishing record.

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Successful completion of this programme will result in the addition of about 30 research personnel.

Moreover, plans were laid to set up a tenure track programme in the course of 2012.

Another major initiative, the University of Oulu Graduate School, UniOGS, opened its doors in August. Charged with drafting the university’s postgraduate policy, the school determines student intake, sets its seal of approval on curricula and awards earned degrees. This makes it possible to better harmonize education processes while promoting planning and equal treatment of students.

Crucial goals of the school include graduation in four years and lowering the average age at graduation for doctoral students.

Centre of Excellence in Inverse Problems as well as in the activities of two other centres of excellence for 2008–2013.

Marking a first, the University of Oulu received an Advanced Grant from the European Research Council.

This grant was awarded to Professor Heli Jantunen for her work in microelectronics and material physics.

“Research networks emerge through regional and international partnerships.”

Research on wireless communications received a boost with the founding of the WiFiUS Institute (Vir tual Institute for Wireless Research between Finland and USA). Operating under the auspices of the Centre for Wireless Communications (CWC), the institute derives its funding from the Academy of Finland, Finnish Funding Agency for Technology & Innovation and National Science Foundation. WiFiUS, coordinated by the University of Oulu, is one three virtual institutes set up by the foundation.

Oulu Innovation Alliance brings together institutes of higher education, businesses, research institutes and the City of Oulu, allowing a more systematic approach to cooperation, setting of concrete of goals and allocation of resources to key network development areas. Among these clusters are the Center for Internet Excellence CIE, Mar tti Ahtisaari Institute MAI, run by the University of Oulu, and the Center of Printed Intelligence, PrintoCent, coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.

By establishing the CWC-Nippon research unit in Yokohama, Japan, towards the end of the year, research and education cooperation with Japanese partners was commenced in the field of wireless technology. This unit, due to begin its activities in 2012, represents the first initiative of its kind by a Finnish university in Japan.

Under guidance of the alliance, innovation clusters were organized around health, medical technology and biosciences as well as environment and energy.

Oulu Innovation Alliance strives to create employment oppor tunities and ser vices, attract substantial supplementary funding and start-up new businesses.

Cell-Extracellular Matrix Research Group was selected by the Academy of Finland as a Centre of Excellence in Research 2012–2017. In addition, several Oulu-based researchers participate in research conducted by the University of Helsinki under the umbrella of the Finnish

A national research network, coordinated by Oulu Mining School, was established under the banner of the Finnish Mining Cluster. Research in the field will be enhanced by recruiting professors and intensifying multidisciplinary cooperation.

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Professor Riitta Keiski 8

Cleaner Technology

Riitta Keiski, Professor in Mass and Heat Transfer, says that, although her major interest in high school was chemistr y, she nonetheless opted to study process engineering. She is currently involved in catalyst research, an impor tant developing area of environmental science and technology.

A central research issue for Keiski’s team has been management of environmental emissions; how to use cataly tes to either prevent the formation of pollutants or to make them harmless. “We also investigate the utilization of different combinations of industrial flue and recycled gases.”

“Research on environmental technology produces benefits that are easy to see and understand even on a global scale.”

“It is fully possible to recover carbon dioxide from flue gases and reuse it in, say, soft drinks.” Carbon dioxide and hydrogen can also ser ve as fuel components.

Practical research in environmental technology involves a lot of testing and modelling. “We also keep an eye on the sustainability of our research.

We aim at getting as much detailed knowledge as possible, while minimizing the number of tests.”

Environmental technology research is international in char ac ter. Keisk i’s team is wor k ing with universities in France, Morocco, India and Peru, among others. “Worldwide cooperation helps to increase critical mass by putting together complementary competences. Having said that, it must be noted that we also have an excellent national knowledge base, and that collaborative research initiatives can be launched at university level as well.”

Environmental concerns often cast a shadow over technology research. Keiski is keen to introduce cleaner technologies and emphasizes that green values are deeply rooted in research conducted at the University of Oulu. “We want to be known as developers of sustainable production and energy.”

Riitta Keiski has received numerous awards for her research. For example, the Finnish Union of University Professors named her Professor of the Year for 2011. ”I want to do good things. Research on environmental technology produces benefits that are easy to see and understand even on a global scale.”

JUHO KARJALAINEN

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OLLI SILVÉN Vice Rector – Provost for Education

Study Support Measures Yielded Results During the past year, the University of Oulu continued implementing its strategic policy programme to improve the fluency of studies and to facilitate the acquisition of degrees. Students nearing the end of their studies were able to speed up their progress by a range of support measures, helping the university to substantially increase its production of completed Master’s degrees.

Thus, in 2009–2011, the university increased its proportion of awarded Master’s degrees in Finland from 9.3 per cent to 10.4 per cent relative to the previous three-year period.

“In terms of student retention, academic achievement and degree completion time, the first year of studies is crucial. ” In terms of student retention, academic achievement and degree completion time, the first year of studies is crucial. As a result, all programmes and subjects were placed under obligation to assign each student their own teacher tutor for at least the freshman year.

An audit was conducted on the first-year implementation of each degree programme and subject. It turned out that success is based on regular internal reviews

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which underlie subsequent development efforts. To reinforce this approach, all programmes and subjects designated a person to take charge of them.

As a means of facilitating studies, summer school was established to lengthen the academic year.

Specific focus was placed on offering courses that have tended to cause a backlog of studies. As the results obtained were excellent, this initiative will be further strengthened in the coming years.

Studies should progress without undue hindrance.

To that end, preparations were undertaken to offer students curricula grounded on centrally planned, typical study paths. Appropriate scheduling is of utmost importance also for student economy, since the student allowance is now a two-tier system and minimum requirements have been tightened.

Nearly half of all programmes offered by the University of Oulu are able to boast so-called flexible study paths. This means that having completed a Bachelor’s degree, a student is free to transfer to another programme or subject without any complementary studies. These paths have been selected on the basis of their working life relevance.

The proportion of students following flexible study paths is expected to increase significantly. When the student selection procedure will be renewed in 2014, students who have already gained a university place will no longer be eligible for admission to other programmes.

During the reporting year, the university supported the establishment of three international Master’s programmes, while six existing programmes were fur ther enhanced. It is likely that these measures serve to double the number of degrees awarded to international students in 2012.

To increase student exchange from North-Western Russia, the Education Council set up a mobility allowance system akin the Erasmus system.

Agreements were signed with several Chinese universities to encourage reciprocal student exchange.

Open University, continuing education, employment services, as well as language and communication education were strengthened by bringing them under the umbrella of a new organization, Extension School.

In addition to of fering education packages for undergraduate and postgraduate students, Extension School coordinates on-the-job training.

An overarching goal is to take account of working life needs in education planning processes.

Yet another initiative launched in 2011 involved concentrating student services in a new Student Center. Also some of the university’s cooperation par tners intend to locate service points in this center. At the same time, the organization of educational administration was also clarified.

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Doctoral student Jan Hermes 12

In a Humane Environment

“The University of Oulu is an outstanding place for an international student.”

has an open and friendly atmosphere, everyone speaks English, and you don’t feel like a stranger at all.”

While employed as an industrial engineer in his native country of Germany, Jan Hermes started entertaining the idea of an extensive study package in economics. Exploring various alternatives both in Germany and abroad, Hermes came across the Master’s programme in International Business offered by Oulu Business School.

After completing his two-year Master’s programme, Hermes briefly considered returning to working life, but then his supervisor recommended that he continue his studies. “When my professor encouraged me to pursue a PhD, I started thinking about an academic career.” At the moment, Hermes is busy researching network theory and business ethics.

”My background in engineering did not lend itself to most of these programmes, but the one in Oulu required no prior degree in economics,” Hermes recalls. And, although he is German, a streak of Finnish blood runs through the family.

Jan Hermes maintains that the University of Oulu is an outstanding place for an international student.

“There are several organizations here that take care of international students. Teaching is provided in English, and all people are so welcoming.”

Oulu was not really familiar to him, but everything he heard about the town was positive. He began his studies here in 2009. ”The University of Oulu

He is particularly taken by the genuine sense of communality that prevails at the university. “There is less hierarchy here than in Germany. Students

and professors can work together to promote teaching and research. We’re all equal in a humane environment.”

Uncertain though his future plans may be, one thing Hermes is sure of. “Finland will always be a part of me. And who knows, maybe I’ll end up staying here”, he laughs.

JUHO KARJALAINEN

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SAKARI JUSSI-PEKKA Head of External Relations

Active Forging of Community Relations Completing its first fundraising campaign on 30 June 2011, the University of Oulu collected EUR 11.4 million for the benefit science and the future of Northern Finland. This entitled it to national cofinancing to the tune of EUR 23.1 million.

At the end of the year, the University Fund was wor th EUR 34.6 million. Through investment returns, this capital provides a solid foundation for conducting research and education in fields that are vital for the whole of Nor thern Finland.

To ensure the continuity of fundraising, it was incorporated into the university organization as a function of community relations.

of Oulu as an international scientific forum for the mining industr y and bringing the strong Finnish mining-related technological competence into the international limelight.

Nor thern collaboration on environmental research was taken to a new level as a number of research ins titutes moved under the same roof on the Linnanmaa campus. In one swell swoop, the Building of the Environmental Sciences became a focal point for environment-oriented activities. Thus, functions of MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Finnish Forest Research Institute, Game and Fisheries Research, Finnish Environment Institute and the university’s Thule Institute converged in a unique setting.

Adding its own spice to the mix, Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira moved to a location nearby.

“To ensure the continuity of fundraising, it was incorporated into the university organization as a function of community relations.”

In addition, the University of Oulu and Geological Survey of Finland entered a strategic par tnership to promote domestic and international networking.

As their focus areas, the partners selected collaboration within the Oulu Mining School, mineral resources and their sustainable use as well as mining environments and ground water. Included in the partnership agreement is the establishment of a professorship in enrichment technology.

The Mining Oulu – Know How internationalization initiative was f inanced by the European Regional Development Fund, national co-f inancing and resources allocated by the Council of Oulu Region. This initiative aims at promoting the role 14

August 2011 witnessed launching of the Centre for Health and Technology (CHT), an innovation center, which seeks to promote individual health and well-being, develop ser vices and improve health care processes.

Important tasks of CHT include advancing networking among research and innovation actors, creating attractive testing and piloting environments and transferring innovations from R & D to production. It also serves as a channel between researchers on one hand and companies and research funders on the other.

Under the banner of CHT, the university joins forces with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Northern Ostrobothnia Hospital District and Technopolis, Plc. Moreover, the university introduced a further education programme on nuclear power engineering in par tnership with the Lappeenranta University of

Technology, Oulu University of Applied Sciences and other organizations engaged in this field. Initially, the programme trains specialists for the construction and use of the planned nuclear power plant in Pyhäjoki.

Service offerings to interest groups were enhanced by organizational restructuring. The thus established Extension School comprises such functions as alumni relationships and economic cooperation, the SME sector in par ticular.

Scientists on the payroll submitted 53 invention disclosures, 20 of which went on to have their commercial application potential investigated. Four priority patent applications and one utility model application were f iled during the year. All in all, the university has 68 licence, option, transfer or technology sale contracts. Six new contracts were signed during the repor ting year, and one new spin-off company saw the light of day.

On 16 November 2011, the first national Ahtisaari Day was held to celebrate President Martti Ahtisaari, an honorary alumnus of the university. This event, organized by Mar tti Ahtisaari Institute and the University of Oulu, was honoured by the presence of the President himself.

Ahtisaari Day is intended to increase general awareness of Finnish conflict resolution exper tise by spotlighting the signif icance of education, knowledge and communication.

Student of logopedics Ilona Niemel채 15

Executive Director Juha Ala-Mursula 16

Entrepreneurship As First Alternative Geared to enhance the economic life of New Oulu, Business Oulu represents the voice of local businesses and entrepreneurs, when the university plans its spearhead initiatives and programmes. On the other hand, without the university, the economic and business life of Oulu would be a mere shadow of its present self. Mutual collaboration is crucial for success.

Executive Director Juha Ala-Mursula from Business Oulu has the highest respect for the role the university plays as the engine of regional development.

Ala-Mursula’s contends that, without the university, the Oulu region would have 30.000 jobs less.

Business Oulu is an active participant in an innovation alliance that unites the economic sector, university, university of applied sciences and sector research institutes in a unique way, allowing the development of high-quality research centers.

According to Ala-Mursula, the alliance has laid the foundation for cross-disciplinary research, forming a prime breeding ground for the greatest innovations.

“In a range of successful business activity, the university is a real pillar of strength.” ”In a range of successful business activity, the university is a real pillar of strength. Without it, there would be no ICT cluster, no welfare regime of the current type, no medical technology to speak of. Not to mention the environment sector, which showcases top-flight research within an international arena.

Practically all factors that impact competitiveness emerge from research conducted at the university.”

“The alliance is a fully-f ledged functional tool for creating added value for companies, when their own resources are not yet sufficient and they are waiting for financiers to come along.”

Another activity where Business Oulu and the university join forces for mutual benefit is marketing. If Oulu is to draw students and teachers of the first order, the city itself must be appealing.

experiences in Oulu. These clips have also been shown as movie trailers and can be viewed at oulu.dom. If all fields of science were able to bring an entrepreneurial perspective to their learning programmes, it would open up whole new vistas of possibilities, believes Ala-Mursula.

“Low-cost, international distribution of digital content provides an excellent means of developing entrepreneurship in new areas of enterprise. Creative fields, in particular, are experiencing a massive surge now.

In the same vein, there are endless possibilities in the programming and telecommunication fields to accomplish something big, and similar opportunities exist even in humanities.”

“With us, entrepreneurship is often the last career option, while in many other countries it is the first.”

RAIJA TUOMINEN

One recent marketing idea involves making funny video clips, in which foreign students describe their

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LIISA ROSSI Human Resources Director

Core Tasks Strengthened by International Recruits Human resources policy and management are guided by the university’s strategy and human resources policy plan. All activities in this area are geared toward making the university a success and a good work community for employees and students alike. Each and every section of the plan emphasizes the significance of good human resources management and supports unit heads in implementing changes and carrying out managerial tasks and responsibilities.

Human resources planning strives to anticipate changes in the number and quality of staff to develop the university’s personnel structure. Particular emphasis is placed on promoting research careers and pooling support functions in specific service units for universitywide access.

By regrouping its functions and activities, the university strives to set up a productive and stimulating task structure for teachers and researchers, to facilitate their career progress and to enhance the university’s international prominence. Turning fixed-term employment contracts into permanent ones is expressly important for support functions. The starting point for all these initiatives is balanced development of personnel structure at all levels.

Reorganizing the task structure of research and teaching personnel continued all through the year.

A working group on research careers defined criteria for different career levels and proposed piloting a new tenure track system. This model was endorsed by the University Board in June 2011.

Individual depar tments drafted their own human

resources plans to ensure that research activities are appropriately managed and available at all stages of a researcher’s career.

Another move to advance research careers and international collaboration involved allocating

“All activities in this area are geared toward making the university a success and a good work community.” strategic funding to create recruiting packages and post-doc fellowships in targeted focus areas. This recruiting was accomplished through extensive international application rounds and led to the recruitment of 16 researchers: two par t-time professors, 8 researchers and 6 post-doc researchers.

Eight of the successful applicants were foreigners.

As these applicants hired post-doc researchers or post-graduate students to work in their teams, this initiative had a significant multiplicative effect.

turned out to be management, particularly as regards strategic awareness and communication.

The university adopted an early intervention model to enable quick detection of problems and possible solutions. Department heads and other unit managers were then provided training in the use of the model.

In addition, the Equality Committee updated the university’s Equality and Equal Opportunities Plan.

Competence development practices were evolved by drafting a Personnel Competency Development Plan. Moreover, guidelines for in-service training were upgraded and employee induction methods were polished.

To keep the momentum going, a range of training events were arranged on a number of topics related to management and managerial work. One new measure undertaken last autumn was the introduction of the Manager Forum.

Another novel way of acknowledging achievement is the incentive bonus system, intended to encourage individuals and groups to strive for excellence.

High priority goals identified within the university’s welfare plan are management and welfare in the work community. To this end, a work welfare survey was conducted during the autumn term, the results of which were similar to those obtained at other Finnish universities. One key area of development

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Natural Talent Falls Short in Managerial Work A true measure of managerial skills is great upheavals in the operating environment. Päivi Kytömäki, head of the University Library, faced the greatest challenges of her 30-year managerial career with the introduction of the new Universities Act, management system and funding model coupled with the structural reorganization of the library. Managerial skills have been in great demand, to say the least. ”The change from the 1980s to the present day is overwhelming, as the university is increasingly run like a business organization. Efficiency and productivity are all important now, and each department and section is compared to other similar units in the country.”

”Clear structures and goals release energy to do useful work.”

Although requiring planning and leadership skills, as well as knowledge of employment relationships and financial issues, the core task for any manager is personnel management. ”People are at the core of this job. Without interaction and mutual understanding there won’t be any results. The greatest challenge is dealing with people.”

In Kytömäki’s view, the standard of managerial work at the university has become more robust over the last few years. ”It’s had to, out of necessity to effect these all-pervasive changes.”

Clear structures and goals release energy to do useful work. Ensuring that this happens is a key element in managerial work, says Kytömäki.

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In her own work, she has promoted steering group participation, for example, by introducing regular staff sessions. Thus, library personnel gather together four times a year for a ”where are we now” review of activities.

Managing an academic department is not merely a matter of natural talent; managerial skills must be constantly honed and sharpened. Kytömäki maintains that the university provides good support and necessary, targeted training with peer forums. ”The manager training programmes on offer are diverse, and you can always get personal counselling, discussion support and academic consultation.”

In Kytömäki’s view, training is particularly important for new managers, including researchers who suddenly find themselves in a managerial position. As a result of the recent library reorganization process, she now has three new junior managers working under her and, being head librarian, her duties include supporting them in their work.

“I’m really pleased to be able to meet other department heads via these training programmes. It strengthens the feeling that I’m not on a sidetrack, and the peer group discussions provide me with the insight and support needed to do my job.”

Personal renewal is critical for a manager. Päivi Kytömäki enjoys the professional revitalization that domestic and international expert assignments and positions of trust offer.

ANNA-MARIA RAUDASKOSKI

Chief librarian Päivi Kytömäki 21

PIRJO KYTÖSALMI Chief Financial Officer

Economy Remained in Balance Since the outset of 2010, Finnish universities have been responsible for maintaining their liquidity and financial solvency. With a net profit of EUR 3.9 million, the economy of the University of Oulu was well balanced in 2011. Solvency remained strong, as the university’s equity ratio rose from 79.1 per cent to 83.1 per cent. Also liquidity stayed at good level.

Government funding for 2011, agreed-on by the university and the Ministry of Education and Culture, was EUR 144.9 million. In addition, the ministry paid out EUR 4.9 million in the form liquidity funding.

Another EUR 10.9 million were received from the state on the basis of the so-called VAT compensation agreement.

The university’s investment policy is geared to producing a good total return in the long run. In 2011, investment and financial activities generated a net loss of EUR 855,000. The investment and

“The university’s investment policy is geared to producing a good total return in the long run.”

Income from ordinar y operations for 2011 was EUR 80.4 million. Competitive research funding totalled EUR 71.8 million, corresponding to 30.3 % of total funding. This funding came mainly from the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, Academy of Finland and project funding provided by the EU. Expenses from the ordinary operations for the fiscal year were EUR 231.8 million euro, of which personnel expenses, the largest component, accounted for EUR 144.8 million, or 62.9 % .

The funds derived from fundraising campaign and government co-financing that were booked to equity (basic capital) raised the balance sheet value

by EUR 26.4 million. Donations received after the fundraising campaign was closed brought in EUR 68,200. Thus, the total value of assets held in the University Fund amounted to EUR 34.6 million at the end of the year. Most of these assets are

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invested in funds, bonds and shares. The total equity in the balance sheet totalled EUR 134.8 million.

Faculty of Medicine, Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Systems and Control Engineering Laborator y, Depar tment of Information Processing Science and Depar tment of Mathematical Sciences. Alteration work was carried out in the Geo and Water Engineering Laboratory and Student Center.

Still undergoing alteration work is the Lynet Laborator y of the Research Consor tium for Natural Resources and the Environment. Project planning was initiated and implemented in several other places. Thus, the univer sity’s wor king, learning and research environments are constantly evolving to stay in stride with the world around us.

Since campus improvements tend to raise the rent, the effect must be counterbalanced by enhanced functionality and efficiency of use.

financing activities in the income statement include an unrealized loss from investments that amounted to EUR 3.7 million.

Management of the investment por tfolio was entrusted to three investment managers with full power of attorney. In compliance with the investment policy, investments are diversif ied in terms of instruments and geographical areas. The book value of the portfolio at the balance sheet date was EUR 63.9 million, and the minimum objective is to preserve the assets’ real value.

2011 was the second year of operation of University Properties of Finland Ltd. During the year, the company structure was f inalized, and jointly negotiated policies and contractual practices were adopted.

Renovations or alterations to proper ty or facilities rented by the university affected an area of about 9000 m 2 . Renovation work was conducted in the

Structure of expenditure

Personnel expenditure 62,9 % Premises costs 14,3 % Other expenditure 22,8 %

Total number of students

Completed master’s degrees

Doctoral degrees

20 000 17 500

182

15 000

154 130

12 500

123

141

10 000 7500 5000 2500

2011 Faculties Faculty of Humanities Faculty of Education Faculty of Science Faculty of Medicine Faculty of Economics and Business Administration Faculty of Technology

Publications Fields of study Humanities Education Science Medicine Dentistry Health Sciences Economics and Business Technology

Total students First-year students

15864 1811

Total degrees awarded Bachelor’s degrees Master’s degrees Doctoral degrees Other degrees

2768 1177 1314 182 95

Total staff (person years) Professors

2790 228

Total university funding (M€) Core funding Supplementary funding Compensations to training school Other general subsidies/VAT compensation

237,3 144,9 71,8 4,9 12

Publications Total publications Scientific publications

Faculty or unit

Scientific publication

Other publications

Total

Faculty of Humanities

309

137

446

Faculty of Education

117

132

249

Faculty of Science

498

104

602

Faculty of Medicine

712

102

814

Faculty of Economics and Business Administration

106

20

126

Faculty of Technology

646

117

763

Other units (incl. separate departments)

135

88

223

Total

2523

700

3223

Not included are translations, edited publications or printed abstracts.

Person-years of employment

person-years professors 228 researchers 964 teachers 396 library personnel 74 448 administrative personnel other personnel 573

8%

21 %

17 % 3223 2523

36 % 3%

15 %

Figures for teacher training schools are not included in the charts.

teachers other personnel

Oulu 72 13

Kajaani 19 3

Outgoing and incoming exchange students by country Outgoing students Germany Spain USA Austria China France Great Britain Sweden Japan Thailand Denmark Other Total

48 29 29 23 21 18 16 13 11 11 10 121 350

Incoming students France Spain Germany USA Italy Poland Czech Republic Mexico South Korea China Turkey Other Total

56 51 42 22 19 17 17 15 14 11 11 125 400

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January

Professor Riitta Keiski named Professor of the Year Professor Mikko Siponen elected as best European in AIS 2012 ranking

February

Notables within construction industry donate professorship in Earthworks and Foundation Engineering Entrepreneurs and university open challenge campaign to raise funds for University Fund

March

New FiDiPro Professor Valery V. Tuchin joins Optoelectronics and Measurement Techniques Laboratory

May

Professor Tatu Juvonen named Alumnus of the Year

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June

Academy of Finland selects Cell-Extracellular Matrix Research Group, led by Professor Taina Pihlajaniemi, as a Centre of Excellence in Research 2012–2017 Decision taken to launch nuclear engineering programme at University of Oulu University of Oulu and Shanghai Jiao Tong University sign agreement on student exchange

August

University of Oulu Graduate School, UniOGS, starts its activities Centre for Health and Technology innovation cluster launched

October

Building of the Environmental Sciences inaugurated Professor Heli Jantunen receives ERC’s Advanced Grant for her work in microelectronics and material physics CWC begins coordinating Finnish-American cooperation in wireless communication at WiFiUS virtual institute

November

First national Ahtisaari Day organized at University of Oulu

December

University of Oulu and Luleå University of Technology agree on qualifications for double degrees from Nordic Mining School

FACULTIES Faculty of Humanities Subjects Information Studies Logopedics Finnish Language Sámi Language Sámi Culture English Philology German Philology Scandinavian Philology Literature History History of Ideas and Science Cultural Anthropology Archaeology Undergraduate students First year students Postgraduate students Degrees awarded

Bachelor’s degrees Master’s degrees Doctoral degrees Personnel Teaching and research personnel Other personnel Publications Academic publications Other publications

1971 275 239 424 201 208 13 133 119 18 446 309 137

Faculty of Medicine Subjects Dental Specialist Medical Specialist Dentistry Nursing Science Welfare Technology Clinical Laboratory Science Medicine Radiography Health Care Administration Health Science Teacher Undergraduate students First-year students Postgraduate students Professional post-graduate students Degrees awarded Bachelor’s degrees Professional postgraduate degrees Doctoral degrees Professional postgraduate degrees Personnel Teaching and research personnel Other personnel Publications Academic publications Other publications

Faculty of Education

Faculty of Science

Subjects Education Music Education Early-Childhood Education Primary Teacher Education Master of Education, Intercultural Teacher Education Technology Oriented Primary Teacher Education Arts and Craft Oriented Primary Teacher Education Pedagogical Studies for Teaching Certificate Undergraduate students 1679 First-year students 299 Postgraduate students 120 Degrees awarded

407 Bachelor’s degrees 226 Master’s degrees 208 Doctoral degrees 8 Personnel 163 Teaching and research personnel 128 Other personnel 35 Publications 249 Academic publications 117 Other publications 132

Faculty of Economics and Business Administration

1476 255 328 563 362 57 214 59 88 376 243 133 814 712 102

Subjects Management and Organization Economics Accounting Marketing Finance International Business Business Law Undergraduate students First-year students Postgraduate students Degrees awarded

Bachelor’s degrees Master’s degrees Doctoral degrees Personnel Teaching and research personnel Other personnel Publications Academic publications Other publications

1608 328 93 307 122 170 4 89 66 23 126 106 20

Subjects Biochemistry Animal Ecology, Animal Physiology, Plant Ecology, Plant Physiology, Genetics Biophysics, Physics, Geophysics, Theoretical Physics, Astronomy Geology and Mineralogy, Surficial Geology, Geochemistry Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Structural Chemistry Geography Mathematics, Statistics, Applied Mathematics Information Processing Science Undergraduate students 3552 First-year students 602 Postgraduate students 353 Degrees awarded 608 Bachelor’s degrees 267 Master’s degrees 282 Doctoral degrees 56 Personnel 488 Teaching and research personnel 357 Other personnel 131 Publications 602 Academic publications 498 Other publications 104

Faculty of Technology Subjects Architecture Mechanical Engineering Process Engineering Electronics Information Engineering Industrial Engineering and Management Environmental Engineering Undergraduate students First-year students Postgraduate students Degrees awarded

Bachelor’s degrees Master’s degrees Doctoral degrees Personnel Teaching and research personnel Other personnel Publications Academic publications Other publications

3340 452 542 580 304 232 42 643 482 161 763 646 117

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University Board 31.12.2011 Hans Söderlund, Research Professor, Chairman Pekka Erkkilä, Executive Vice President Lea Kauppi, Director General Leena Mör ttinen, Director Erkki Ormala, Vice President Sanna Järvelä, Professor Markku Mäkivuoti, Chief Administrative Officer Markku Savolainen, Professor Milja Seppälä, Undergraduate Student Raija Ukkola, Head Attendant, In-House Services

Rectors Lauri Lajunen, Rector Olli Silvén, Vice Rector, Education Taina Pihlajaniemi, Vice Rector, Research

University Collegium 31.12.2011 Petri Sahlström, Professor Kalervo Hiltunen, Professor Juha Kostamovaara, Professor Juhani Niskanen, Professor Jouni Pursiainen, Professor Kyösti Oikarinen, Professor Paula Rossi, Professor Hannu Soini, Professor Henrik Hedberg, Senior Assistant Matti Isohookana, Project Manager Juha Jaako, Senior Lecturer, Chairman Eila Keränen, Library Secretary Gordon Rober ts, Lecturer Vesa Vir tanen, Director Elina Honkala, Undergraduate Student Petra Junno, Undergraduate Student Matti Kemi, Undergraduate Student Miikka Saukko, Undergraduate Student, Vice Chairman Aino-Maija Toppi, Undergraduate Student Anssi Tuohino, Bachelor of Medicine 26

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Edited by: University Communica | Photos: Juha Sarkkinen and Ilpo Okkonen | Graphic design: Pakkahuone | Printing house: Erweko | ISSN 0787-4227

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