University of Turku is an active academic community of 25 000 students and staff members – a truly international research university, a provider and developer of Finnish high-quality education and a strong bellwether of its area.
The University of Turku was established in 1920. It continues the dignified academic traditions and history initiated by the Royal Academy of Turku.
The academic history of Turku extends all the way back to the 13th century, when people from Turku went to study in the universities of Central Europe. In 1640, the first university of Finland, the Royal Academy of Turku, was established by Christina, Queen of Sweden.
The University of Turku was established in 1920 with the aid of donations from 22 040 citizens, and it became the first Finnish university in Finland.
The University’s founding years was an era of strong patriotism and Finland took its first steps as an independent country. This spirit can also be sensed in the motto of the University:
From a free people to free science and learning
University – for Everybody!
Besides the research and education, an important mission of the university is to share new information and know-how, which is rises from the research. This is done with various services and cooperation projects.
They provide their interest groups different – both tailored and ready-maid – training and research services and cooperation and development projects. They organise events and occasions and inform actively about the new achievements of the science.
Regarding services and other operations, they want genuine interaction and feedback from their interest groups.
They aim to collaborate closely with alumni, companies and organisations especially with developing education to match the work life and commercializing innovations.
Their mutual goal is to develop the whole society and especially the south-west Finland.