Common guidelines for smooth European cooperation for Finnish higher education institutions
European higher education cooperation requires solutions that work seamlessly across countries and systems. In response to this need, Finland, supported by CSC, developed joint policy recommendations for higher education institutions, providing a foundation for smooth collaboration within European University Alliances.
CSC supports Finnish higher education institutions in developing digitalisation, interoperability and shared solutions as part of the information management and architecture services that the Ministry of Education and Culture commissions from CSC. The work is guided by the idea of a shared direction: CSC helps build a comprehensive overview and broad dialogue in the development of digital services, enabling institutions to create solutions that function in both national and international environments and, above all, support the everyday work of students, teachers and researchers.
For example, CSC supports the cooperation group for higher education support services for teaching and learning and administration (KOOTuki) and its specialist network of study administration and information management experts, the Synergia group. Their task is to form and manage an overall view of the development needs and trends of digitalisation in learning and teaching, and to improve the comparability and transferability of information between different systems.
“CSC has long-standing experience in facilitating collaboration across the higher education sector. Over the years, we have developed effective ways to support interoperability and enable the work of various groups. Through shared structures and discussion forums, we can ensure that solutions do not remain isolated experiments but evolve into impactful and widely applicable operating models for the whole higher education sector,” says Minna Pylkkönen, Development Manager for Services for digitalization and collaboration of higher education at CSC.
European University Alliances introduced new requirements for cooperation
European University Alliances have in recent years become a significant element in shaping the future of higher education and research. They offer students and institutions more flexible opportunities for learning, mobility and cooperation. At the same time, they require institutions to adopt new kinds of solutions that transcend national borders and rely on interoperability.
When the European Commission introduced its initiative for a European strategy for universities and deeper cross-border cooperation in 2022, Finland brought forward a consistent view: deepening European cooperation is important, but the goal is not a uniform EU-wide higher education system. Instead, the focus should be on interoperability between systems. Finland has emphasised scalability, impactful collaboration and systemic cooperation in education and research, benefiting the entire higher education sector, not only individual alliances.
With growing international collaboration, the KOOTuki group identified in spring 2024 a need to better understand and support how Finnish higher education institutions can operate as effectively as possible within European alliances. The group established a dedicated support group for EU University Alliances to assist institutions in digital solutions and interoperability related to European alliances and to international mobility more broadly. Its task was to prepare national recommendations on operating principles to clarify division of responsibilities, governance and shared solutions in European cooperation.
The recommendations were developed through close collaboration
The operating principle recommendations were developed with CSC’s support in cooperation with higher education institutions, the Finnish National Agency for Education, and the Digivisio 2030 project. The work paid particular attention to regulatory characteristics that influence how Finnish institutions participate in university alliances. The recommendations were prepared using the EDEH Higher Education Interoperability Framework. The target audience includes those responsible for study administration, international affairs and information management.
The collaboration resulted in six policy recommendations, which provide a joint foundation for smooth cooperation within European university alliances.
The completion of the policy recommendations is a major achievement, and CSC’s support was essential for the success of the process. The recommendations give Finnish actors a shared foundation and a stronger mandate in European discussions.
Heta Koski, University of Jyväskylä
The recommendations emphasise the use of digitalisation, the interoperability of everyday processes, and the sustainability of structures. They guide institutions to consider the role of digitalisation in teaching and in services for students, teachers and administration. At the same time, they highlight interoperability, compliance and scalability – the ability to use the same solutions both within alliances and across them.
“The completion of the policy recommendations is a major achievement, and CSC’s support was essential for the success of the process. The recommendations give Finnish actors a shared foundation and a stronger mandate in European discussions. They serve as a practical tool both in the early stages of alliances and in more established cooperation,” notes Heta Koski, Chair of the KOOTuki EU University Alliances Support Group in 2025 and Head of Services for Education and Internationalisation at the University of Jyväskylä.
Although some measures require longer-term development, all steps aligned with the recommendations lead towards smoother, more interoperable services for learners, institutions and researchers.
The recommendations strengthen Finland’s position in Europe
The impact of the shared recommendations goes beyond day‑to‑day operations within alliances. They strengthen the ability of the Finnish higher education sector to influence European higher education policy and highlight Finnish expertise. A shared approach means a stronger voice at the European level and better conditions for ensuring that European development work supports Finland’s goals.
“Finland’s strong expertise in digitalisation provides an excellent foundation for implementing the recommendations. We have long been developing solutions that support interoperability and clear operating models. At the same time, Finland can contribute to European discussions by sharing experience on what kinds of digital solutions work in practice,” says Marko Wilen, member of the KOOTuki EU University Alliances Support Group from the AMK-OHA network.
At the same time, the recommendations are only the beginning. The work will continue in the coming years with further refinement of the guidelines and strengthening best practices. European cooperation is developing quickly, and Finland’s higher education sector is well positioned to help shape its future, with CSC’s support.
Author: Noora Tirkkonen, CSC
Image: Adobe Stock
CSC promotes interoperability in higher education
- CSC supports higher education institutions in developing digitalisation, interoperability and shared solutions, strengthening the operational conditions for Finnish research.
- The goal is to maintain an overall view of institutions’ system and service landscapes and ensure they support smooth teaching, learning and research.
- CSC facilitates higher education sector coordination, maintains the Digihuone discussion forum, and supports organisations in digital transformation.
- These services are part of the information management and architecture services for higher education commissioned from CSC by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Further information
More information about the policy recommendations and the digital solutions of higher education institutions: opi(at)csc.fi
Jukka Kohtanen
Jukka Kohtanen is responsible for digital services for higher education.
Minna Pylkkönen
Minna Pylkkönen is responsible for services for digitalization and collaboration of higher education.
