The Council of Rectors of Finnish Universities (Unifi)
Unifi is the collective voice and a forum for cooperation of Finnish universities.
The mission of the Council of Rectors of Finnish Universities (UNIFI) is to create and strengthen the conditions for the universities to thrive and to cooperate. Unifi actively influences science, higher education, and R&D policy and opinion, and brings issues related to research and higher education into the public discussion. Our members include all 13 universities mentioned in the Universities Act and the National Defence University.
Unifi’s Operations and Decision-Making
The highest decision-making authority at Unifi lies with the delegates elected by the member universities, who meet at least twice a year.
Unifi has a five-member Board of Directors. The Chair of the Board for the 2026–2027 term is Jari Ojala, Rector of the University of Jyväskylä. The Vice Chair of the Board is Sari Lindblom, Rector of the University of Helsinki.
Unifi’s operations are managed by the Secretariat, whose contact information can be found here.
At the heart of Unifi’s operations are the Rectors’ official meetings and the official meetings of the Vice Rectors for Research and Education. These forums bring the universities together to form shared university positions on key issues in science, higher education, and R&D policy and to advance cooperation in various issues.
The Meeting of Rectors is chaired by Jari Ojala, Chair of the Unifi Board. The Chair of the Vice-Rectors for Research for the 2025–2026 term is Anne Portaankorva, Vice-Rector for Research, Doctoral Education, and Sustainable Development at the University of Helsinki. Kai Nordlund, Vice Rector of the University of Helsinki, will serve as chair of the Vice Rectors’ for Education for the 2026–2027 term.
Unifi publishes statements and views on current issues in science, higher education, and R&D policy, and university collaboration. Unifi reports on its advocacy work to the Finnish Transparency Register.