With Shared Voices: Finlandia joins UArctic network

Finlandia University has joined the University of the Arctic (UArctic), a cooperative network of higher education institutions, research institutes and other organizations across northern regions. The network focuses on research and education, building and strengthening collective resources and infrastructures that enable member institutions to better serve their constituents and their regions. 

Through cooperation in education, research, and outreach, UArctic enhances human capacity in the North, promotes viable communities and sustainable economies while forging global partnerships. Created through the Arctic Council, UArctic is committed to upholding its principles of sustainable development as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. UArctic is constituted as an international association based in Finland.

Vision
A strong, engaged, informed, and dynamic North, creating better lives and environments for all northerners.

Mission
UArctic develops knowledge to address local and global challenges of relevance to Arctic peoples and societies by providing unique educational, research, and innovation opportunities through collaboration within a powerful network of member institutions.

Motto
With Shared Voices

Dr. Hilary-Joy Virtanen, Assistant Professor of Finnish & Nordic Studies at Finlandia, is a folklorist and ethnologist specializing in Nordic and Upper Midwestern cultural practices including festivals, traditional arts, oral genres, music, folk dance, ethnic and national dress and heritage language maintenance.

“Membership in the University of the Arctic Consortium gives the Finlandia community an entirely new set of resources including teaching tools, grant opportunities, and the capacity to build exchange opportunities for our students and others from across the Arctic and Boreal regions,” Virtanen said. “This is a thrilling development, and I look forward to creating new connections and strengthening old ones through this platform.”

UArctic aims to bring northern voices and knowledge to the global stage, increasing understanding and respect towards the region. The network looks to increase human competence and capacity in the North while improving lives and communities for all northerners with focus on creating a healthy environment that serves the North and the world over generations.

Finlandia’s membership with UArctic provides the university, its students and the Hancock community with opportunities to engage and collaborate on academics and research with a network of experts and members throughout the Arctic and beyond. The partnership will cultivate new, dynamic mobility opportunities for Finlandia’s students and allow access to northern research and enriched Arctic program options that enhance and promote unique and relevant educational opportunities for northerners through academic collaboration and exchange.

RELATED ARTICLES & LINKS

University of the Arctic website
Shared Voices magazine – 2021 edition
UArctic at a glance