The University of Eastern Finland has taken on the role of coordinator for the Finnish University Partnership for International Development, UniPID, effective from the beginning of 2026. The coordination term will last until 2029. The network comprises ten Finnish research universities and three observer members, and its activities are guided by a board appointed by the member universities.
The Department of Geographical and Historical Studies within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies hosts the UniPID coordination unit. The coordination unit employs four people whose responsibilities include network administration and UniPID projects.
At the beginning of the year, the network’s new strategy for 2026–2030 entered into force. At the same time, UniPID adopted a new Finnish name, Yliopistojen globaalin kehityksen verkosto UniPID, and a new Swedish name, Universitätsnätverket för global utveckling UniPID. The mission of the network is to strengthen the capacity of its member universities to enhance global responsibility and Global South perspectives in their education, research and societal engagement.
UniPID encourages members of the academic community to engage in multidisciplinary, inclusive, innovative, ethical and equitable collaboration with partners in the Global South to advance global sustainable development and shared priorities.
The core functions of the network include UniPID Virtual Studies on global sustainable development, the DocNet network for early-career development researchers, the Master's Award in Development Studies, and the Essentials in Development Studies MOOC. The coordination unit also takes care of the governance of the Finnish Scholar Protection Scheme implemented by the Scholars at Risk Finland section.
UniPID has played a key role in the science policy dialogue between the European Union and the African Union and has participated in Horizon-funded EU-AU initiatives since 2008. Currently, UniPID is involved in an EU-AU project on food security and sustainable agriculture, implemented by a joint research consortium across the two continents. The University of Eastern Finland is a member of this international research consortium. Recently, Horizon Europe funding was awarded to a new UniPID project that will develop AU-EU knowledge and innovation systems for food security and sustainable agriculture.
For further information, please contact:
UniPID Director Kaisa Kurki, [email protected], tel. +358503306154
