| 05.01.2018

Q&A about Helsinki GSE starting in fall 2018

Hanken, the University of Helsinki and Aalto University will launch a new unit specialising in Economics, the Helsinki Graduate School of Economics. Please find a list of frequently asked questions below.

The background and purpose of Helsinki GSE

Why is Helsinki GSE established?

Helsinki GSE will bring together experts in Economics and thus strengthen this field of research in Finland. In Helsinki GSE, Finland will gain, in international comparison, a high-level graduate school and research unit, where the research conducted is on international top-level. The research focus within the new unit will be on fundamental societal and business issues, at the core of the future success of western societies. The other main activity will be to educate experts in Economics that are be able to respond to future challenges in Economics.

What’s new?

Helsinki GSE will increase the number of professorships, PhDs and masters in Economics. Top research will be expanded to cover all core fields of Economics. The unit will strengthen fields such as macroeconomics, applied microeconomics, public economics, and data based decision making.

Where does the name stem from?

The name highlights the existing expertise in the field in the Helsinki region.

Which are the goals concerning degrees?

Once the Helsinki GSE operates in its full capacity by 2022, the number of master’s degrees awarded will be 120 (80 at present) and PhD’s 15 (8 at present). The universities will continue to be the degree awarding institutions. Helsinki GSE aims at being a cluster of experts with approx. 35 professors.

How are the students affected by the Helsinki GSE?

The unit will provide a research master programme designed to prepare students for PhD studies at Hanken, Aalto, and the University of Helsinki.
 

There has been talk about the need for experts in economics that speak Finnish, yet the aim of Helsinki GSE is to reach the international elite. How do these goals match?

Helsinki GSE will produce the majority of PhDs in Economics in Finland. A natural result of this is that most of them are Finnish speaking. To reach the international top the professorships are to be filled by recruiting excellent researchers from the international labour market.
 

The process of founding Helsinki GSE

When does Helsinki GSE start?

The boards of the founding universities have approved the establishment of the unit and the universities’ rectors have signed the Helsinki GSE Treaty in December 2017. The academic director and the board of the Helsinki GSE will be elected in early 2018. The recruitment of professors starts in spring. The activities will begin in the autumn of 2018 when the Helsinki GSE doctoral programme and PhD-oriented Research Master programme will start. Fundraising for Helsinki GSE will take place.

Who is in charge?

Helsinki GSE is in charge of establishing professorships in Economics and recruiting new professors in Economics to the universities in the Helsinki region. Preferably, international researchers on junior and senior level are recruited.

Will Helsinki GSE replace the existing HECER unit?

Yes. When the agreement on founding Helsinki GSE is signed, the Helsinki Center of Economic Research (founded in 2004) will be shut down. Aalto, Hanken and the University of Helsinki have been active in HECER that has served as a research institute.

How will Helsinki GSE differ from HECER?

Helsinki GSE’s aim is to reach the goals that were set for HECER, but weren’t reached because of the small size of the unit.

Where will the new unit be located?

The unit will be in Helsinki and Otaniemi, and anywhere where research in the field of Economics is conducted.

For further information, please contact

Helena Strandell
Planning Manager
helena.strandell@hanken.fi