The student movement demands: Cherish knowledge!

Declaration from the General Assembly of the National Union of University Students in Finland
Hyvinkää 19 November 2011

The General Assembly of the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) wants to put Finnish know-how first. The Government Programme defines as an objective to make Finland the most competent nation in the world by 2020. This is a grand objective, but can’t be achieved by merely churning out degrees. Given that, for instance, about 60 per cent of a generation in South Korea receives higher education, we cannot compete on numbers. Graduates in Finland are not at the top of their fields because there are many of them but because their knowledge, skills and competences are excellent.

SYL’s General Assembly finds that the emphasis for developing Finnish higher education should continue to focus on securing equal opportunities to education and achieving ambitious knowledge goals. Diverse degrees of good quality and high-quality research are the best ways to promote Finland’s competitiveness.

The 2011–2016 development plan for education and research clearly indicates a perspective where the labour market dictates how many are educated in a particular subject area. In this aspect, one should not blindly trust the direction of the labour market if we want to stick to the objective of becoming the most competent nation. Knowledge creates new jobs and opportunities that do not yet exist. It would not be the first time that Finland becomes the leading edge thanks to job opportunities stemming from new, fresh ideas. Higher education creates abilities to change the labour market, and not just follow and satisfy its need. Without diverse, broad, and qualitative education, we are just the most labour market-focused people in the world – not the most competent or creative.

Finland has excellent, as of yet untapped, opportunities to develop knowledge. Development work requires new modus operandi in teaching, willingness for co-operation in political decision making, as well as resources and support. Above all, it requires inspiring teachers, motivated students, and a will to reform and to recognise the societal value of education, not just the its cost. Making the finnish people the most competent nation in the world by 2020 is an ambitious objective, and the student movement strongly supports it.

The National Union of University Students (SYL)

Katri Korolainen-Virkajärvi    Matti Parpala
President             Secretary General

Additional information: Social Officer Suvi Eriksson
E-mail addresses: firstname.lastname(at)syl.fi

For a better tomorrow for students

The National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) is Finland’s largest interest and service organisation for university students. SYL represents about 135,000 students. SYL’s objective is to promote overall student well-being, and the status of students in the university community and in society, as well as internationally.

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