Chancellor Pekka Puska stands up for critical research

Chancellor at the University of Turku since August 2010, Dr. Pekka Puska emphasises the import of scientific research and top expertise for the future of Finland. Due to the university reform, Puska finds the role of Chancellor especially interesting. 

 “The reform of the universities is remarkable and radical. No one knows yet what form the new universities will take. The State has its own objectives, mainly as regards the position of universities in the service of business and economy. There is nothing wrong with such objectives, but the ultimate task of universities is to serve society at large, and to provide neutral and critical research. They must not be harnessed to serve any short-sighted objectives. This is what I intend to bring forth.”

As Director General of the National Institute for Health and Welfare in Finland (THL), Pekka Puska, 64, agreed to serve as Chancellor of the University of Turku with some initial reserve. The representatives of the University managed to convince him that, within the reformed university, the Chancellor’s duties and tasks may be individually modified. He also wanted to ensure that the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health would not oppose to the appointment.

“It was an honour to be asked for this position. I will continue in my main office at the THL, but I will give up some of my positions of trust. Only time will show how much work is involved in the Chancellor’s position.”

Puska believes that his double role will be fruitful.

“In Finland, there is extensive co-operation between the various institutions in different sectors and the universities. Those who appreciate team play and are willing to unite their forces are the strength of Finland. The division of work is an important question, though. The universities handle research and education, while the sector institutes handle research and expert services. In light of the changing situation, it is vital that they serve Finland optimally, as a single entity, and in multifaceted interaction with society.

The tasks are taking shape

Pekka Puska has been appointed as Chancellor for a three-year period. As the job progresses, his tasks and duties are gradually taking shape. He will be involved in establishing the new Advisory Board for the University of Turku, and will serve as its chair. Powerful individuals with local and national influence will be selected to serve as members of the Board.

“Information exchange must be bidirectional. The university will receive valuable information from players in society, and we will have the opportunity to share the information in our possession with others.”

Additionally, Puska has agreed to chair the Ethical Committee. Other tasks are still being discussed. The Chancellor’s formal duties include, for example, conferment of the title of docent and decision-making regarding academic degree ceremonies.
“The role of the Chancellor is to be an éminence grise for the university, to represent stability and traditions. In my opinion, the Chancellor also plays an important supportive role in terms of the daily routines of the university. The list of the University of Turku’s former Chancellors is impressive, starting from Senator and Professor J.R. Danielsson-Kalmari.”

A convincing tour of the campus

As a young man, Pekka Puska chose to study at the University of Turku because it was nearest to his home-town of Vaasa. The Medical Faculty was, at that time, a typical choice for those who had excelled in their matriculation exam.

“At that time, career planning was minimal. I had always been interested in social issues, so I decided to study political sciences as well, first by taking courses in the summer academy. Well, this combination naturally led to the field of public health,” laughs Puska, who became nationally known for heading up an extensive public-health promotion initiative, the North Karelia Project.

He graduated from the University of Turku with both a Master’s degree in Political Sciences and a Licentiate’s degree in Medicine. In 1974, he earned Doctor’s degree in Medicine from the University of Kuopio.  

His memories from the student years in Turku are closely related to the lively university politics. Puska acted as the chair of the local student’s union in 1968–69, and later as the chair of the National Union of Students in Finland, struggling with the reform of the university administration and issues related to students’ social services. 

“The University of Turku had about 5,000 students at that time. Today, there are 21,000 students, so the growth has been phenomenal. The university has developed into a multidisciplinary entity, and physical circumstances have also changed enormously,” states Puska after an introductory tour of the campus accompanied by Rector Keijo Virtanen.

“I sensed the same type of academic ambience as I experienced in Stanford when staying there as a visiting researcher. All major universities in Finland are strong, but the University of Turku has a unique resource in its glorious history. It was the first ever Finnish-speaking university, and it was established as a result of donations from 22,000 Finns: ‘From a Free People to Free Science and Learning’, as stated in the motto on the facade of the main building.”
 
Text: Ulla Willberg
Photo: Pekka Pajuvirta