UEF’s campuses in Joensuu and Kuopio will be gradually reformed in the coming years. The aim is to create a campus environment that supports communality and has modern and well-functioning facilities. The extensive reform is being prepared in close collaboration with the academic community, University Properties of Finland Ltd (SYK) and other expert partners. The project is a major investment in future campuses.
The project planning phase of campus development has now been completed at the University of Eastern Finland. The university’s Board decided at its meeting of 11 June 2026 to proceed to the further planning phase of the project, which includes conceptual and preliminary design and implementation planning.
The board of University Properties of Finland Ltd (SYK), the owner of the buildings, approved the implementation of UEF’s further planning phase already on 28 May 2026.
Aiming at more effective use of the facilities
Campus development was launched at the University of Eastern Finland in 2022 in response to changes in the operating environment of universities, the renewal of working methods and the upward price pressures of facility costs. The aim is to ensure that the facility and technology solutions of the Joensuu and Kuopio campuses meet the future needs of studying, research and employment.
The aim is to use the facilities more effectively, so that in future, the university will operate in fewer and more modern facilities. Some of the buildings on the campuses are also due for renovation. During the review period 2027–2033, Natura and Haltia will be renovated in Joensuu and Canthia in Kuopio. In addition, restaurant kitchens will be renovated in Aurora (Joensuu) and Snellmania (Kuopio). The facilities of the dental clinic in Canthia are excluded from the scope of the renovations, as these were renovated 14 years ago. In the same connection, the use of certain facilities will be discontinued. The aim has also been to form clearer entities of the faculties’ functions on the campuses.
Staff and students involved in the development
"The project planning phase that has just ended has been a year of intense joint work. We have examined the campuses building by building in excellent collaboration with SYK and the design and consultancy agencies. Staff and students have played a key role in the process. All in all, the background research and expert work have been extensive," says Director of Administration Tuomo Meriläinen.
The needs of research and teaching, pedagogical perspectives, the needs of students for learning and smooth everyday life, special features of individual units and responsibility have been taken into account in the planning. The involvement of the campus community and open communication have been the key principles of the preparations throughout the project.
A major investment is progressing step by step
"This is a significant total investment that will improve the quality of the facilities and ensure their functionality in future needs. The active participation of the users has been key to the success of the project planning," says the CEO of University Properties of Finland Ltd Sanna Sianoja.
The estimated total cost of the further planning phase of the campus development project for the University Properties of Finland Ltd is EUR 9 million. The Board of the University of Eastern Finland authorised Rector Tapio Määttä to negotiate and approve agreements related to the project. After further planning, a separate decision will be made on proceeding to the construction phase.
For further information, please contact:
Tuomo Meriläinen, Director of Administration, University of Eastern Finland, [email protected], tel. +358 40 355 2299
Sanna Sianoja, CEO, University Properties of Finland Ltd, [email protected], tel. +358 50 351 2207
- Launched in 2022, the project examines the facility and operational solutions of UEF's campuses in Joensuu and Kuopio.
- The aim is to ensure that the university’s facility and technology solutions are appropriate, flexible and meet the needs of the 2030s.
- The campuses are being developed to support not only communality and interaction, but also partnerships and multi-modal working.
- The goals include improved space efficiency and flexible shared use of facilities.
- Functions will be centralised to facilities owned by University Properties of Finland Ltd (SYK).
- Whilst renovations will only affect some of the university’s buildings, the operational change will concern the entire academic community.
- The involvement of staff and students in the development work is key.
- During the review period 2027–2033, Natura and Haltia and the restaurant kitchen in Aurora will be renovated in Joensuu and Canthia and the restaurant kitchen in Snellmania in Kuopio.
- The needs of teaching and research, pedagogy, special features of individual units and responsibility will be observed in the planning.
- The project planning phase of the campus development project was completed in June 2026. Next, the project will move on to the conceptual and preliminary design and implementation planning.