University of Helsinki

 We are the University of Helsinki

The great challenges of our time can be solved only by changing the way people think and act. The changes individuals make are therefore key to changing the world and kindling hope in society.

Breakthroughs for life – Our pledge to people and the planet

Breakthroughs for life embody what the University of Helsinki is about: a place for both personal and scholarly advances. Whether major or minor, breakthroughs may come as personal insights, enduring friendships or academic achievements that help build a better world. Together, we create breakthroughs that influence both personal paths and the world beyond.   

Values underpin our future

Our most important contribution to the world is nurturing individuals who are passionate about the future, seek the truth, defend freedom, reinforce Bildung and foster inclusivity.

Truth is becoming increasingly elusive in a world where issues such as misinformation, algorithms and AI blur its boundaries. This makes fact-based thinking and a critical approach more essential than ever. At the University of Helsinki, truth is not a matter of opinion but the result of dedicated scholarly work. Yet truth is never final: knowledge evolves and becomes more precise as research advances, challenging prevailing notions. At the University of Helsinki, we engage in teaching and research where the pursuit of truth is continuous, critical and open-ended.

Freedom invites us to explore, question and innovate. The polarising and authoritarian developments undermining individual liberties and shrinking democratic space globally also curtail academic freedom. The University of Helsinki offers a social counterbalance to these developments, safeguarding the freedom to think critically, speak boldly and choose independently.

Bildung goes beyond the acquisition of knowledge, embracing an ethical and open-minded understanding of the world. Today’s challenges cannot be solved by any one discipline alone; they require cross-cutting skills, multidisciplinary insight and the ability to build bridges. Bildung guides us in the right direction, serves as an ethical compass and provides continuity, strengthening societal resilience. At the University of Helsinki, Bildung thrives through multidisciplinarity, combining collective learning, multiple perspectives and a forward-looking approach.

Inclusivity is not automatic – it requires nurture, particularly in a time when loneliness, discrimination and the experience of not being heard are challenges we all face. At the University of Helsinki, inclusivity means equality, equity and respect for others, made real through concrete measures supporting principles such as diversity, accessibility and safe spaces. For us, inclusivity is also about openness and collaboration. It is rooted in democratic opportunities that allow everyone to have their say and be heard. We seek to build a community where everyone can feel included.

Source: University of Helsinki