Ministry of Education Becoming Hands Off . . .

Today marked the official first day of "class."  The day started off with exploring a cafe around the corner, Kakku & Leipa Keisari (www.kakkukeisari.fi).  They had wonderful pastries and mini quiches.  Pefect way to start a busy day.

Seppo Holtta, University of Tampere, met us at our front gate and we walked to Dr. Fairweather's hotel to pick him up.  We then jumped on the tram to meet with Timo Aarrevaara and members of the Network for Higher Education and Innovation Research (HEINE).  They shared their perspectives on the changes to the higher education system:  moving from centralized administration with the Ministry of Education to decentralized to the individual institutions (very similar to what we have in the United States.)  We then experienced their cafeteria.  Definitely not as many options as Brody (MSU), but decent food.

After lunch, we met with two representatives from the Ministry of Education and learned more of their perspectives.  An interesting fact:  students interested in attending postsecondary education submit one application and indicate what universities/polytechnics in which they are interested.  The Ministry then informs the student which ones they have enough "points" to enter.  In previous years, the students could then enroll in different programs at different institutions.  However, beginning soon, the students will only be allowed to enroll in one institution.

Universities in Helsinki are similar to the research universities here.  Polytechnic institutions are a mix between community colleges and regional universities.  Their main focus is the teaching (not research) and connection with the community.  They are not funded by the local community like our community colleges, but they provide workshops and seminars to the local community.

We are a long break between the Ministry of Education visit and the last visit with the Academy of Finland and the Fulbright Center.  So, we went to the Market close to the water and had Munkkki (Finnish donut) and coffee.  YUMMM!!!  So many pastries to experience in Finland!

The Academy of Finland is similar to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in America.  The Academy provides 327 million Euros for funding to universities.  The Fulbright Center specializes in academic exchanges between Finland and North America.  They provide grants for scholars from Finland and the United States to study in the other country.

The meetings ended around 5pm.  The group of students experienced a Finnish market (K Extra) and grabbed food for dinner and breakfast.  Much cheaper than always eating out.  Another good thing regarding Finland is that we can drink the water here . . . so far so good. :)

Stay tuned for more tomorrow . . .