University of Kuopio

The University of Kuopio has an international reputation in the fields of health, environment and well-being, with particular strengths in biotechnology, biosciences and molecular medicine. The University's latest fields of expertise are business administration and technology education.

On the national level, the University contributes to the improvement of well-being and quality of life through its operations of an internationally high quality. On the regional level, the University promotes the vitality of Eastern Finland in particular as well as the development of the Kuopio region and the entire region of Northern Savo as a growth centre.

Five faculties, over 60 teaching and reseach institutions

The University contains five faculties:

• Business and Information Technology,
• Medicine,
• Natural and Environmental Sciences,
• Pharmacy, and
• Social Sciences.

The A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences can be considered equal to the faculties. Altogether, there are 60 teaching and research institutions within the faculties. This number includes 14 clinics operating within Kuopio University Hospital.

The growth continues

The University's Foundation Act was passed in 1966, and teaching started in 1972. Today the University has 6,135 students of which 968 are postgraduate students. Annually 1,000 new students start their studies. The University of Kuopio offers more than 140 learning pathways.

The University is the third largest employer in Kuopio after the City of Kuopio and Kuopio University Hospital. The number of staff is 1,762 of which 109 are professors.

High quality research and education

The University boasts several world class research units, for example in the fields of diabetes, atherosclerosis and climate change research. The degree programme in medicine was designated one of the high quality units of Finnish university education for the period 2004 – 2006. The University of Kuopio is also the most prolific postgraduate research training centre in Finland.

Kuopio Science Park is a focal point of innovative education, creative research and expertise projects managed by the University, University Hospital, Polytechnic, national research institutes, Technology Centre Teknia Ltd., and over 160 private companies.

University of Eastern Finland 2010

The University of Kuopio will merge with the University of Joensuu and together they will form the University of Eastern Finland, starting 1st January 2010. With altogether 14 000 students on campuses in Kuopio, Joensuu and Savonlinna the university will be one of the top international research intensive universities in Finland.

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