Time for serious action

As the Implementing Act of the new Universities Act came into force, we have moved several steps forward toward the launching of the new university. The Boards of the three universities reappointed the Board of Aalto University on August 14, in accordance with the Universities Act, and my own role as President was reaffirmed in the Aalto University Board meeting on August 17.

Now that we are fully authorized, we can continue our planning with renewed force and can soon begin to realize our plans. The first draft of Aalto University’s strategy was formulated as a result of months of preparation by the change teams and the Board. During the spring, several parts of the strategy were opened for public feedback, generating valuable ideas, criticism, and encouragement. I myself became involved in the preparations on April 1 and in July I compiled the first draft of the strategy, based on the final reports presented by the change teams. This draft has now been discussed by the Aalto University Board, the rectors, the students, the Boards of the three universities, and the cooperation councils for the first time. The strategy will be further refined throughout the fall. We have also launched discussions concerning the first draft of the ordinance and the new university’s organization.

So the preparations are gradually moving on toward implementation and we are now more ready to also make decisions. First priority is given to issues that must be ready by January 1, 2010, such as the transfer of contracts and insurances to Aalto University, as well as the transfer of academic personnel to new career systems. The specially appointed preparation teams began to plan these issues Friday, September 4. We now possess a large number of competent people at Aalto University to support concrete decision-making.

The aim is to finalize preparations for the transfer of permanent professorships by the end of the year. All other personnel will be transferred to Aalto in accordance with the existing contracts at the turn of the year and their relocation into the new career system will be carried out during the year 2010.

The confirmation of Aalto’s organization will be followed by the recruitment of university administration, vice rectors, and other administrative personnel. I am currently in the process of conducting interviews with, for example, candidates appointed by the university rectors as vice rectors. This process will continue at least until the end of September, after which I will invite proposals for suitable candidates also from other parties within the university. As for administrative personnel, we will consider all internal candidates, but will also seek for necessary expertise outside the university, if necessary.

I wish You a good fall!
Tuula