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At UEF, interdisciplinarity is not something we do, it's who we are. We seek to be number one in Finland when it comes to academic learning environments. We offer first-class education that is bound to make a difference. We are one of the largest universities in Finland and home to approximately 15,000 students and 2,800 members. Our campuses are located in Joensuu, Kuopio and Savonlinna. UEF is a multidisciplinary university, which offers teaching in more than 100 major subjects. We have four faculties: the Philosophical Faculty, the Faculty of Science and Forestry, the Faculty of Health Sciences, and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies. Our activities underscore multidisciplinarity. Our key interdisciplinary research areas are built around four global challenges. These challenges are Ageing, lifestyles, and health Learning in a digitized society. Cultural encounters, mobilities and borders, and Environmental change and sufficiency of natural resources. In addition to a high standard of teaching, we offer our students a modern study environment under constant development. Student well-being is among our primary concerns. We have extensive international relations and are involved in several international networks. Our teaching and research staff and students are active in participating in various mobility programs. We have concluded bilateral agreements of cooperation with approximately 100 universities abroad. Furthermore, we are involved in several international networks and discipline-specific projects. Together with our networks, we support the well-being and positive development of eastern Finland. Our goal is to be ranked among the leading 200 research universities globally and, in the vital research areas, among the world's leading 50 research universities. The preparations for the establishment of the University of Eastern Finland began in 2006. In October 2006, the Ministry of Education chose the collaboration model between the University of Joensuu and the University of Kuopio as one of the national-level spearhead projects in structural development. Led by Professor Reijo Vihko, the working group's report preparing the project was completed in February 2007. The project's objective was to establish the University of Eastern Finland, which was to be a federal university in terms of its administrative structure. Initially, the collaboration between the University of Joensuu and the University of Kuopio was rooted in their aspirations to obtain a shared right to confer degrees in economics and business administration. However, already in Vihko's working group's report, the collaboration was extended to natural sciences and social sciences. However, the federal university was never formed, as the preparations for a full merger of the universities and their activities were launched in autumn 2007. In spring 2008, the University Senates of both universities approved the merger and the scientific and administrative structures the new university was to have. In 2009, a strategy and administrative regulations were prepared for the University of Eastern Finland, and the contents of the degree programs were decided upon. The right to confer degrees in economics and business administration was obtained at the merger in 2010. In other words, the University of Eastern Finland was built on a tight schedule, and it began operations at the beginning of 2010. The University of Joensuu was established in 1969. In Finnish, it was first known as Joensuun korkeakoulu and, since 1984, as Joensuun yliopisto. In the beginning, the main focus of the university was on teacher education. Forest sciences were the first field of study not linked to teacher education that began to be taught in Joensuu after a long and colorful debate in 1982. In addition to forest sciences, the launch of education in theology was also a topic that inspired plenty of discussions. The degree program in Orthodox Theology began in 1988. Western Theology became available for subject teachers in 1997, and education in Western Theology leading to positions within the church began in 2001. Before the merger of the University of Joensuu and the University of Kuopio, Bachelor's, Master's, and doctoral level education was offered at the University of Joensuu in eight fields of study. The University of Kuopio was established in 1972, offering education in medicine, medical physics, and biochemistry. The year 1973 witnessed the launch of education in pharmacy, dentistry, and environmental hygiene. The University of Kuopio was first known in Finnish as Kuopion korkeakoulu and, since 1984, as Kuopion yliopisto. In 1984, the university began offering education in social work and clinical nutrition. In 2002, the University of Kuopio was the largest provider of medical education in Finland. Before the merger, the University of Kuopio had five faculties. Our strategy is built around global challenges for which we seek to find solutions through interdisciplinary research and education. Research and education constitute means for creating a responsible and sustainable future. The university's Board approved the updated strategy on 22 February. We have identified the development of our learning environments as one of our most important goals. The best academic learning environment in Finland is built around innovative teaching methods, research-based education, diverse use of facilities, and transparency. Under the leadership of our motivated teachers, we are creating a new culture of teaching. The teaching we offer is of a high standard and is based on the latest research findings, enabling us to train professionals for the rapidly changing working life needs. We support this process by renewing our campus facilities with flexibility, inspiration, and technology in mind. At UEF, we want to create a culture of open science and technology that enables seamless collaboration between our students' own devices and the university's devices and technology. From day one, we want to make our students feel welcome as new scientific community members. We invest in supporting flexible study paths, and to this end, we have created a new digital environment, Kamu, for our students. Our work to develop our learning environments is rooted in student-centredness. Together, we are building a university of tomorrow. View full university

Mikkeli Campus is located at a former military base with beautiful buildings and surroundings. It has a truly international atmosphere as there are over 300 international students from many different countries on campus every year. There are 3500 students and 300 staff members on the campus all together. There are two bachelor's degree programs taught entirely in English: Environmental Engineering and Information Technology on the Mikkeli campus. Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences (Kyamk) and Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences (Mark) merged at the beginning of 2017. The new university of applied sciences is South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk). Xamk is an innovative higher education institution driven by the idea of unlimited lifelong learning and study. The passion to learn is not bound to time, place, or method – it is a way of looking at the world. We promote well-being and sustainable development through global networking and by creating new digital solutions. The strategic objective is to be among the top five universities of applied sciences in Finland regarding student satisfaction, studies, and graduates' employment rate. One of the goals is to be the largest Finnish university of applied sciences in RDI activities and education provided through the Open University of Applied Sciences. The new university of applied sciences wants to be a strong and responsible partner that fully exploits its geographical location. South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences is a pioneer in digital learning, entrepreneurship, and Russian co-operation. Xamk is a higher education institution that focuses on sustainable well-being and technology. Mikkeli is a lively town with the most beautiful lake scenery, a combination of exciting history and traditions, active business, high education and research, culture, nature, and internationality. Mikkeli has approximately 50 000 inhabitants, and over 6000 students are studying in the city. Mikkeli is located in Eastern Finland in an area with many lakes and forests. The town is located not so far away from the metropolitan area, so one can quickly get there by bus or train. Mikkeli has a fascinating history since the town served as the Finnish army's headquarters during three wars. That is why you can see 'Headquarters' mentioned in many places. Mikkeli is a lively town not only in summer but also in winter. We have enjoyed beautiful ice sculptures the last winter as part of the international ice festival arranged in the center of town. In addition to different festivals, you can enjoy various happenings throughout the year, the world-famous Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra being a good example. View full university