Competence, wellbeing and education in an increasingly complex and polarised world

RECTOR KEIJO HÄMÄLÄINEN

Competence, wellbeing and education in an increasinglycomplex and polarised world

The world is changing and becoming more complex at an increasing speed. Global challenges, such as climate change, the transforming world of work, migration flows, and economic fluctuations, are difficult questions for all of humanity. Solving them requires broad and multidisciplinary international cooperation. We at the University of Jyväskylä believe that the key is in the promotion of competence and comprehensive wellbeing for people.

WE ARE A UNIVERSITY WITH SOCIETAL IMPACT Mission

JYU WANTS TO BE THE BEST EMPLOYER AND PROMOTER OF WELLBEING AMONG FINNISH UNIVERSITIES.

Our vision is to be a global leader in the study of learning, wellbeing and basic natural phenomena, reshaping competence to build a sustainable society.

Wellbeing in Finnish society is based on the equality and high quality of the school system. It has helped Finland to become one of the most successful countries – which has also been rated as the happiest country in the world.

Finnish-medium teacher education began in Jyväskylä, and this pioneering role and the tradition of education is still cherished with pride at JYU.

We have created the foundation of the Finnish school system and are now, one school at a time, renewing the competence and wellbeing of the world in Finland and abroad.

Our identity as members of the community is based on JYU’s legacy as an international university with societal impact. The valuing of diversity, multifaceted skills and a sense of togetherness are at the core of our community and everything we do. The members of the JYU community take responsibility and are societally influential and active.

Our graduates are responsible academic experts who change the world. Our education is multidisciplinary and international. It responds to regional, national and global competence requirements and the challenges of continuous learning.

We are active in the international science community and participate in influential societal dialogue. We especially foster the freedom, renewal and openness of science, and we want to restore the value of research in societal decision-making.

The University’s strategy ‘Wisdom and wellbeing forus all’ was created to answer the challenges of an increasingly complex and polarised world. The whole university community and our partners from different sectors of society have participated in the strategy work. The new strategy gives us a direction but it is the members of our community and our partners, working together, that make it a reality.