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.
Composition of the working groups
The task of the group is to assess the progress of the negotiations from the strategic starting points of the owner cities and to support the preparation by interacting with the steering group. The group includes representatives appointed by the owner cities of the universities of applied sciences. The monitoring group will be chaired by Aleksi Eskelinen, the Chair of the Kuopio City Board. The vice chair is Seppo Eskelinen, the Chair of the Joensuu City Board.
City of Iisalmi
- Sanna Kauppinen, chair of the city council
- Kirsi Niva, member of the city board
- Jukka Ryhänen, chair of the city board
City of Joensuu
- Seppo Eskelinen, chair of the city board
- Sari Huovinen, 2nd vice chair of the city board
- Anni Järvinen, 1st vice chair of the city board
City of Kajaani
- Auli Halonen, chair of the city board's economic development sub-committee
- Minna Leinonen, chair of the city board
- Jari Lindh, chair of the city board’s group sub-committee
City of Kiuruvesi
- Rauno Pikkarainen, vice chair of the city board
- Tommi Tikka, chair of the city board
City of Kuopio
- Aleksi Eskelinen, chair of the city board
- Tiina Kaartinen, 1st vice chair of the city board
- Sakari Pääkkö, 2nd vice chair of the city board
City of Varkaus
- Timo Suhonen, chair of the city council
- Kati Hynninen, 1st vice chair of the city board (deputy member)
University of Eastern Finland
- Tapio Määttä, Rector
The steering group coordinates the negotiations, outlines further preparatory measures, schedules the work and prepares proposals for the decision-making of the parties. The group is represented by the owner cities, the universities of applied sciences and the University of Eastern Finland.
University of Eastern Finland
- Tapio Määttä, Rector, chair of the steering group
Kajaani University of Applied Sciences
- Matti Sarén, President, CEO
Karelia University of Applied Sciences
- Petri Raivo, President, CEO
Savonia University of Applied Sciences
- Mervi Vidgrén, President, CEO
City of Iisalmi
- Jarmo Ronkainen, Mayor
- Kirsi-Tiina Ikonen, Director of Education and Welfare (deputy member)
City of Joensuu
- Jere Penttilä, Mayor
- Jenni Jokela, Permanent Secretary (deputy member)
City of Kajaani
- Terho Savolainen, Mayor
- Risto Hämäläinen, Director of Development (deputy member)
City of Kiuruvesi
- Juha-Pekka Rusanen, Mayor
- Matti Heikinmaa, School Principal of Upper Secondary Education and Director of Education and Culture (deputy member)
City of Kuopio
- Soile Lahti, Mayor
- Mikko Ripatti, Director of Education and culture (deputy member)
City of Varkaus
- Henri Tanskanen, Mayor
- Antti Mäkinen, Director of Administration (deputy member)
The task of the vision group is to refine the common situational picture, identify new collaboration opportunities in education, research and services, and plan the involvement of staff and students in the preparation. In addition, the group will prepare material for the interim reviews of the performance agreement period to be held in autumn 2026 with the Ministry of Education and Culture. The vision group reports on its work to the steering group.
The vision group includes representatives from the universities of applied sciences, the owner cities, the university and the student associations of the higher education institutions.
University of Eastern Finland
- Soili Makkonen, Director of Strategy and Development, chair of the vision group
- Laura Hirsto, Vice Rector, Education
- Jussi Pihlajamäki, Vice Rector, Research and innovation
- Anu Liikanen, Director of Research and Innovation Services (deputy member)
- Miia Turtiainen, Director of Student and Learning Services (deputy member)
Kajaani University of Applied Sciences
- Matti Sarén, President, CEO
- Tuija Postari-Kivistö, Director of Administration and Finance
Karelia University of Applied Sciences
- Marjo Nenonen, Vice President
- Anne Ilvonen, Director of Research and Development
- Liisa Timonen, Director of International Affairs (deputy member)
Savonia University of Applied Sciences
- Mikko Vuoristo, Vice President
- Esa Viklund, Director of Education
- Antti Iire, Director of International Affairs (deputy member)
- Riitta Turjamaa, Director of Continuous Learning (deputy member)
City of Iisalmi
- Eeva Suomalainen, Chief Financial Officer
- Kirsi-Tiina Ikonen, Director of Education and Welfare (deputy member)
City of Joensuu
- Jani Kaasinen, Director of Education and Welfare
- Jenni Jokela, Permanent Secretary (deputy member)
City of Kajaani
- Mari Selin, Director of Education and Culture
- Matti Sarén, President, CEO
- Pentti Malinen, chair of the board of KAMK Ltd
- Risto Hämäläinen, Director of Development (deputy member)
- Tuija Postari-Kivistö, Director of Administration and Finance (deputy member)
- Tuomo Kälkäjä, vice chair of the board of KAMK Ltd
City of Kiuruvesi
- Juha-Pekka Rusanen, Mayor
- Matti Heikinmaa, School Principal of Upper Secondary Education and Director of Education and Culture (deputy member)
City of Kuopio
- Kirsi Soininen, Director of Strategy and Communications
- Timo Antikainen, Director of Business and Economic Development (deputy member)
City of Varkaus
- Markus Vesterinen, Director of Economic Development and Growth
- Henri Tanskanen, Mayor (deputy member)
The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
- Emilia Kivikoski, chair
Kajaani University of Applied Science's Student Union KAMO
- Ella Kela, vice chair of the student council
- Venla Halonen, member of the board (deputy member)
Student Union POKA of Karelia University of Applied Sciences
- Mikko Miettinen, chair of the board
- Ville-Petteri Kujansuu, Executive Director (deputy member)
Student Union of Savonia University of Applied Sciences SAVOTTA
- Tiina Landén, chair of the board
- Roosa-Marika Hytönen, vice chair of the board (deputy member)
The task of the working group is to assess the alternative models for the progress of collaboration and negotiations from legal and financial perspectives. The group will also identify the key conditions of the parties and examine the prerequisites for decision-making as regards the structure and schedule. The working group reports on its work to the steering group. The group includes representatives from the university, the universities of applied sciences and their owner cities.
University of Eastern Finland
- Petri Rintamäki, Chief Legal Officer, chair of the working group
- Heini Koskenvuori Chief Financial Officer, vice chair of the working group
Kajaani University of Applied Sciences
- Matti Sarén, President, CEO
Karelia University of Applied Sciences
- Pia Hiltunen, Director of Administration and Finance
- Jaana Tolkki, Director of Human Resources and Corporate Responsibility
Savonia University of Applied Sciences
- Seppo Lyyra, Chief Financial Officer
- Minna Kaija-Kortelainen, Head of Human Resources
- Mikko Vuoristo, Vice President (deputy member)
- Saara Karkulahti, chair of the board (deputy member)
City of Iisalmi
- Eeva Suomalainen, Chief Financial Officer
- Kirsi-Tiina Ikonen, Director of Education and Welfare
City of Joensuu
- Mikko Kärkkäinen, City Lawyer
- Satu Huikuri, Chief Financial Officer
- Jenni Jokela, Permanent Secretary
City of Kajaani
- Joni Partanen, Chief Financial Officer
- Risto Hämäläinen, Director of Development
- Matti Sarén, President and CEO of KAMK Ltd
- Pentti Malinen, chair of the board of KAMK Ltd (deputy member)
City of Kiuruvesi
- Tiia Väänänen, Director of Administration
City of Kuopio
- Marja-Leena Martikainen, Chief Financial Officer
- Tero Oinonen, Director of Administration (deputy member)
City of Varkaus
- Antti Mäkinen, Director of Administration
- Matti Mentilä, Chief Financial Officer (deputy member)
Communications will be coordinated in collaboration with the higher education institutions and the cities. The communications working group consists of the heads of communication of the owner cities and the higher education institutions.
University of Eastern Finland
- Petri Hynynen, Director of Communication Services, chair of the working group
Kajaani University of Applied Sciences
- Tanja Keränen, Head of Communications
Karelia University of Applied Sciences
- Ville Kivihalme, Communications Manager
Savonia University of Applied Sciences
- Anne Heikkinen, Director of Communications and Impact
City of Iisalmi
- Laura Koski, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
City of Joensuu
- Petri Varis, Communications Manager
City of Kajaani
- Milja Korhonen, Communications and Marketing Manager
City of Kiuruvesi
- Tiia Väänänen, Director of Administration
City of Kuopio
- Henna Lindroos, Communications Manager
City of Varkaus
- Laura Rosenberg, Marketing and Communications Specialist
The preparations are supported by a sparring group, whose task is to bring the views of different stakeholders to the negotiations and to support the preparations from regional and business perspectives. The sparring group includes representatives from the chambers of commerce, entrepreneur organisations, regional councils, vocational colleges, the Union of Eastern Finland and other key stakeholders in the region. The sparring group is chaired by Siamäk Naghian, the Chair of the UEF Board.
- Markus Hirvonen, Region Mayor, Regional Council of North Karelia
- Tytti Määttä, Region Mayor, Regional Council of North Savo
- Riikka Pirkkalainen, Region Mayor, Regional Council of Kainuu
- Kaija Savolainen, CEO, Kuopio Region Chamber of Commerce
- Antti Toivanen, CEO, North Karelia Chamber of Commerce
- Jari Tuovinen, CEO, Kainuu Chamber of Commerce division
- Tomi Haring, CEO, Business Joensuu
- Paula Aikio-Tallgren, CEO, Federation of Finnish Entrepreneurs, Savo
- Merja Blomberg, CEO, Federation of Finnish Entrepreneurs, North Karelia
- Mari Möttönen, CEO, Federation of Finnish Entrepreneurs, Kainuu
- Harri Broman, business leader, Commercial Counsellor
- Jukka Mönkkönen, chair of the board, Union of Eastern Finland
- Heikki Helve, Director of Consortium, Savo Vocational College
- Esa Karvinen, Director of Consortium, Principal, Riveria
- Anu Kuosmanen, Principal, Kainuu Vocational College
- Ari Niiranen, Director General, Economic Development Centre of Eastern Finland
- Ari Saavalainen, vice chair of the board, Kuopio Region Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Varkaus Chamber of Commerce division
Preparation phases and schedule
Preparations for higher education collaboration in eastern Finland are progressing in stages. During the autumn of 2026, the owner cities will assess the proposal of the Board of the University of Eastern Finland for the next steps of collaboration. At the same time, the work of the working groups and bilateral discussions between the owner cities, universities of applied sciences and the university will continue.
Key steps in autumn 2026:
- 8 September 2026: The Board of the University of Eastern Finland decided to propose that negotiations be continued on the Eastern Finland University Group.
- By 4 November 2026: The owner cities are asked to state their position on further preparations and the letter of intent.
- 5 November 2026 at 10:00–12:00: An open webinar on the survey on the impact of higher education institution groups.
- 6 November 2026: The Board of the University of Eastern Finland will discuss the responses provided by the owner cities and the next steps of the preparation.
Background materials
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. Read more about the strategy (PDF).
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.
