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At the moment, the cutting edge of Finnish economics is of high international quality, but narrow. At the same time, the amount of consumer data keeps on growing in the business world, which increases the opportunities for data-based decision-making and demand for economics experts. The health, social services and regional government reform will substantially increase the need for economic competence both at the national and regional level.

Aalto University, Hanken School of Economics, and the University of Helsinki are preparing a joint Helsinki Graduate School of Economics (Helsinki GSE) unit, which will expand the cutting edge of economic expertise in Finland. Its research activities and doctoral programmes are to cover all the key areas of economics. This will allow increase in the number of Master's and doctoral degrees and responding to the demand for experts.

Helsinki GSE will expand the cutting edge of economic expertise in Finland. Photo Aino Huovio.

Aalto considers the establishment of the Helsinki GSE as a central and necessary act for building Finnish success: both the public and private sectors need top-level expertise of international level. 

'Hubs of expertise that measure up to world standards in significance and strength are the key to maintain the competitive edge of Finland. The goal of Helsinki GSE is to function as this kind of unit which can act as a leading figure in major international networks,' Ilkka Niemelä, President of Aalto University, says.

The Helsinki GSE will be built into an international graduate school and research unit that will compete for the best researchers and students with the world's top units within the field of economics. The number of professorships would increase from the present 20 to 35. The quantity of degrees would also increase. Once the Helsinki GSE has begun to function in its full capacity by 2022, there would be approximately 50 percent more masters and twice as many doctors graduating from the universities in the Helsinki metropolitan area than today.

'With Helsinki GSE, The School of Business will widen its top-level expertise in economics. Furthermore, we can offer even more attractive possibilities in doctoral studies and research for international scholars,' Ingmar Björkman, Dean and Professor of the School of Business, says.