90-year-old University of Turku Emphasises Criticality in Science
A celebration opened the University of Turku’s academic year on Thursday, 2 September. The main speaker was Henna Virkkunen, Minister of Education and Science.
In his opening speech, Rector Keijo Virtanen addressed the essential principle of basic research, namely criticality.
- Finland’s new university law allows the university to better participate in social dialogue and fulfil the demands of the economy. However, science must remain independent and analysis needs to be critical, Virtanen emphasises.
According to Virtanen, scientific discussion in itself requires critical thinking, as do the connections between science and society.
Henna Virkkunen, Minister of
Science and Education
Henna Virkkunen, the Finnish Minister of Science and Education, congratulated the University of Turku on its recent merger with the Turku School of Economics. The new University represents everything that the Ministry of Education and Culture encourages Finnish higher education institutions to pursue.
- The University is stronger than before. It is equipped to innovate and to interact in the society, she says.
Text: Anne Paasi
Photos: Hanna Oksanen
Translation: Jenni Perälä