Nordic cooperation is a gateway to the world for students, creating a shared education area and seamless mobility. The Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (SAMOK) and the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) would like to express their gratitude for the long-term cooperation that has made the Nordic and Baltic regions an increasingly unified home ground for students. The connection that young people and students feel toward the Nordic and Baltic countries is an irreplaceable asset for the future of our entire region.

Cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries is built tightly on shared values: democracy, openness, and the principles of the welfare state. Higher education students are at the heart of these values, building our future and strengthening their realization. Linking the Nordic and Baltic countries ever more strongly into student cooperation creates increasingly solid and unique attraction, education, and future expertise for our region.

SAMOK and SYL emphasize resolute support for higher education cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries. The Nordic Council of Ministers’ Nordplus program plays an important role in increasing student mobility and strengthening cooperation between higher education institutions. Currently, however, only a fraction of student exchanges between Nordic and Baltic higher education institutions take place through the Nordplus program. Therefore, awareness of the program must be raised and its resources secured for the future, making it possible for more students to benefit from its opportunities. The recognition of study credits and degrees between countries is being actively promoted at the EU level. SAMOK and SYL believe that degree recognition must be facilitated to reduce everyday bureaucracy. Shared values and consistent quality in higher education guarantee the level of expertise and make the mobility of students and experts smooth across borders, bringing innovation to the entire Nordic region.

Cross-border research, development, and innovation (RDI) activities in higher education strengthen the resilience of our societies, accelerate economic growth, and generate solutions to common challenges. SAMOK and SYL recognize the strategic importance of RDI cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic regions and call for its long-term development in the coming years. In this work, the participation and role of students as future changemakers must be safeguarded.

Students are shaping the future of the Nordic and Baltic countries, which is why close cooperation must be maintained. SAMOK and SYL hope to see strong leadership from the Minister to safeguard our shared education area and the internationalization opportunities for young people.

More information:

Saku Pesonen
Adviser in international affairs and EU-advocacy
[email protected]
040 017 4913

Johanna Fonsell
Senior Advisor in Education policy
[email protected]
050 389 1014