Episode 25: Finland, Pharmacies and the Future for Higher Ed in Europe

Episode 25 (a bit of a landmark) features our first international guest on University Registrars Talking About Stuff. Esa Hämäläinen is Director of Administration at the University of Helsinki and also Chair of a notable European higher ed association, HUMANE, the Heads of University Management & Administration Network in Europe.

We learn about Esa's background in several Finnish universities and in a students' union, including working on research policy, organisational development, in central administration, before ending up as the equivalent of Registrar at Helsinki, a position he has held for the past 10 years.

Helsinki has historically enjoyed considerable autonomy but universities in Finland now are significantly more autonomous than a decade or so ago including in terms of finances, senior appointments and governing body membership decisions.

Esa describes the history of his University which is the oldest in Finland and was established in 1640 in the city of Turku which was at that time part of the Swedish empire. It moved to its current location almost two centuries ago and is now a large comprehensive university. According to Esa the University has important commercial activities, most significantly a national University pharmacy chain, established in the 19th Century. We also discuss the structure of the higher education system in the country, engagement with government and dealing with politicians and their HE priorities.

Unsurprisingly, the Covid response has taken up much of Esa's time over the past year with many of the issues being common to universities across the country and shared with the UK experience. Helsinki was reasonably well-prepared in terms of its digital activity according to Esa but still faces significant challenges in terms of student and staff well-being. We talk through likely changes to professional services working patterns in the post-pandemic environment and the university's planning for the future landscape and new agile work and delivery models.

Finally, considering the post-Brexit position, we hear about the role of HUMANE in terms of professional networking, residential schools and seminars and developing and supporting professional services  leaders and aspiring leaders. Esa stresses the value of the organisation in helping members learn from each other, build their own networks and identifying new areas for collaboration among other benefits.