15 vie for post of Turku University Rector

A total of 15 teachers applied for the post f Rector of the University of Turku, said a press release on Wednesday.

The University Board will select the new Rector for a five-year term starting on 1 August 2019 as the term of the present ​Rector Kalervo Väänänen will end on 31 July 2019.

The call for applications for the position of the new Rector was published at the end of September and the University authority received 15 applications by the closing of the application period on Tuesday.

The applicants are Pro Vice Chancellor, Archie Clements (Curtin University, Australia), Professor Mikael Collan (Lappeenranta University of Technology), Professor Arvind Datye (MVJ College of Engineering, India), Professor Mika Hannula (University of Turku, Turku SciencePark Ltd), Professor Jyrki Heino (University of Turku), Professor Jukka Kola (University of Helsinki), Professor Anne Kovalainen (University of Turku), Senior Lecturer Jari Louhelainen (Liverpool John Moores University, the United Kingdom), Vice Rector Katariina Mustakallio (University of Tampere), Professor Pirjo Nuutila (University of Turku), Dean Tapio Salakoski (University of Turku), Vice Rector Juhani Soini (Turku University of Applied Sciences), Vice Rector Kalle-Antti Suominen (University of Turku).

Two of the applicants, however, do not want to publish their names.

“It was great that the position of the Rector of the University of Turku was of interest and several strong candidates applied for the position. The aim is to begin the interviews in November and that the new Rector could be selected already in the beginning of 2019. The University of Turku is a multidisciplinary university and one of the largest in Finland, and its Rector has a unique opportunity to influence the future of both Finnish and international science and education sector,” said Chair of the University Board Ritva Viljanen.

To be appointed as the Rector, the applicant is required to hold a doctoral degree, and to have knowledge of the academia as well as proven experience in high-quality scientific research and academic teaching. Additionally, the requirements include experience in leadership, showing strong strategic leadership to develop the University, being active in international networking, and being proficient in Finnish and English.