The University of Eastern Finland has initiated negotiations on deepening collaboration and on potential ownership arrangements with the Kajaani, Karelia and Savonia Universities of Applied Sciences and their owner cities. The aim is to assess whether a stronger university group could be gradually established in eastern Finland to bring together the expertise of the university and the universities of applied sciences, and to promote the vitality of the entire region.
This page will contain up-to-date information on the background of the process, related news and answers to frequently asked questions.
News about preparations for the Eastern Finland University Group
The owner cities will make decisions in their administrative bodies
The negotiations are initiated by the University of Eastern Finland. The owner cities will make decisions on the matter in their own schedule. The purpose of the process is to assess options, not to decide on ready-made solutions.
Parties to the negotiations and ownership shares:
- Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK): Kajaani 100%
- Karelia University of Applied Sciences: Joensuu 100%
- Savonia University of Applied Sciences: Kuopio 51%, Iisalmi 22.76%, Varkaus 22.28%, Kiuruvesi 3.96%
The universities of applied sciences will continue as independent companies
Possible ownership arrangements will not change the statutory core tasks of the universities of applied sciences, and each university of applied sciences will continue as an independent limited liability company.
The University has invited the owner cities to a first joint meeting to be held on 7 April 2026, where the continuation of the preparations will be discussed.
Supporting the vitality and competence needs of the region
The negotiations concerning the Eastern Finland University Group will also examine how the higher education institutions could strengthen their profiles by deepening collaboration.
From the perspective of students, this could mean smoother progress of studies, stronger joint study paths and broader opportunities for cross-institutional studies. Research, development and innovation activities could be carried out in a more coordinated and impactful manner.
If established, the university group would strengthen the attraction and retention capacity of eastern Finland, supporting the competence needs of businesses and the public sector in the region.
Preparation phases
- 2025–2026: Examination phase
- March 2026: UEF will initiate negotiations with the owners of the universities of applied sciences.
- 7 April 2026: A summit for the owners of the universities of applied sciences and UEF.
- Spring–autumn 2026: Negotiations and preparation together with the cities and the universities of applied sciences
- Possible further preparations, if a common understanding is reached.
Background material: Growth strategy for higher education in eastern Finland
The growth strategy for higher education in eastern Finland brings together the starting points, studies and analyses on the basis of which negotiations will be started on the Eastern Finland University Group.
The background material examines, for example, the changes that are taking place in the operating environment of higher education, demographic trends, the shrinking age groups and national trends that guide the higher education sector. It also includes an overview of indicators that relate to the finances and operations of higher education institutions.
The purpose of the background material is to provide a common picture of the situation as a basis for decision-making, negotiations and further preparations.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
The aim is to deepen collaboration between the university and the universities of applied sciences. One way to enhance collaboration is for the university to become a majority owner of the universities of applied sciences alongside the cities. The universities of applied sciences are limited liability companies and currently fully owned by the cities. The aim is not to merge the universities of applied sciences with the university.
Options for deepening collaboration have been prepared together with the management of the universities of applied sciences. UEF has also initiated discussions on possible ownership arrangements directly with the owners, of which option the management of the universities of applied sciences has been aware at all times. Further preparations will be carried out in open collaboration with the universities of applied sciences. This is not a takeover.
It will be assessed during the negotiations how collaboration could be deepened in a manner that would create smoother study paths for students, enhance the impact of education and RDI-activities, enable higher education institutions to strengthen their profiles through collaboration, strengthen the attraction and retention capacity of eastern Finland, and support responding to arising competence needs in the region.
The universities of applied sciences will continue as independent limited liability companies and their statutory core tasks will remain unchanged.
The negotiations will assess the benefits that could be achieved through closer cooperation, such as more flexible study paths and a broader course selection.
Student representatives will be invited to take part in the preparations.
The negotiations will not affect work tasks, employment relationships or the operations of the units. The process has only just started and information will be provided openly on its progress.
