UniPID is concerned over the introduction of tuition fees

UniPID- network is concerned over the proposal to introduce tuition fees to non-EU/EEA students. In a comment delivered to the Ministry of Education and Culture, UniPID especially raised concerns over the initiatives influence to the internationalization of the teaching and research of the Finnish universities, the initiatives limited consideration of universities global responsibility and the inadequate consideration of financial effects the initiative will have on the universities and the Finnish society and economic life at large.

UniPID network is concerned over the proposal to introduce tuition fees to non-EU/EEA students. In a comment delivered to the Ministry of Education and Culture, UniPID raised several concerns over the effects the introduction of the tuition fees will have on the universities internationalization and global responsibility. The comment acknowledges four major concerns: 1) The bills effects on the internationalization needs of the teaching and research of the Finnish universities; 2) the initiatives limited consideration of universities global responsibility aims; 3) the inadequate consideration of financial effects the initiative will have on the universities, and 4) the lack of research on the financial consequences the initiative may have on the Finnish society and economic life at large.

You can access the full comment in Finnish here, and read the more detailed summary in English below.

1) The bill does not take into account the internationalization needs of the universities’ teaching and research

UniPID is concerned that the bill does not sufficiently take account the internationalization needs of the universities teaching and research.  First of all, framing the tuition fees through education export is problematic. UniPID emphasizes that initiatives that influence Finnish HEI’s basic activities should be analyzed from the perspective of the HEI’s core functions i.e. education, research and societal impact. UniPID is supportive of initiatives directed for promoting education export. However, UniPID wants to emphasize that the economic ramifications (including possible tuition fees) of the education export should be covered by the importing government/universities in the receiver country and not on individual students coming to Finland.  

Tuition fees on non-EU/EEA students will also limit the Universities international competitiveness, both in research and in providing education. New ideas and innovations are born in a heterogenic environment. Tuition fees to non-EU/EEA students will complicate the universities’ internationalization and development of competitiveness on a global scale. Additionally, global problems require global solutions. Addressing these solutions requires cooperation outside of the EU’s borders. Studying in Finland provides a natural avenue for networking and integration of international students and researchers into the Finnish academia and better enables participation of international voices in the planning and implementation of research projects.

Finally, an international learning environment is both a source of cultural and social capital but also of professional proficiency. International students and international master’s programs are an invaluable source for building global competency for both international and Finnish students. Tuition free higher education is one key aspect in attaining high quality international students to Finland. Introducing a tuition fee to non-EU/EEA student will weaken Finnish universities ability to recruit the best master’s and doctoral students and will have ramifications also on recruiting international talent to Finnish research groups.

UniPID is also concerned that the tuition fees will put smaller universities and disciplines in a disadvantaged position. UniPID wants to promote the equality of all Finnish universities and support the internationalization of the universities.

2) The bill does not sufficiently acknowledge global responsibility

UniPID’s want to emphasize global responsibility and equality. Introduction of tuition fees may further worsen the prospects of talented students from low income backgrounds to study in a university. We are also concerned over the plans of using development cooperation funds for a scholarship-system, as this is not in line with the current development policy.

We are also concerned that the tuition fees will increase inequality in the class rooms. A situation where some students are paying for studies that others are receiving for free is not sustainable and does not promote high quality learning and teaching.

3) The financial effects of the bill have not been evaluated enough

Under the current economic constrains, Finnish universities are cautious over reforms that will require additional economic resources from the universities. The bill has not provided an accurate enough estimation either of the financial implications of designing a system of collecting the tuition fees, nor the costs accruing from the administration of the scholarship system. Additionally, the bill assigns the funding and designing of the scholarship system on the universities. This raises concerns that there will be no additional financial resources assigned to the universities to implement this. UniPID’s is concerned that the income from the tuition fees will not be able to cover the administrative costs caused by the implementation of the system.

4) The impact of the tuition fees to the globalization of the Finnish economic life has not been evaluated sufficiently

We believe that it is crucial that whether tuition free education repays its costs in the long run is researched. We need to research what has happened in the countries (for example Sweden) that have adopted tuition fees in the recent years. We believe that international students are a significant source of internationalization for the whole Finnish society as well as the Finnish economy. Students from non-EU/EEA countries have an especially potential role in promoting Finland and Finnish companies in the developing markets. This can be a huge resource to Finnish companies and economy.