Finnish universities can't match Harvard's resources, debate over rankings heats up

Helsingin yliopisto's fall from the top 100 in the Shanghai university ranking has ignited a discussion about the fairness of such comparisons. While aiming for the top is commendable, the article questions the basis of these comparisons, particularly when pitting Finnish universities against global giants like Harvard or Stanford.

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When we compare a Finnish university to Harvard, Stanford, or other top universities in the world, we are comparing organizations whose resources are on a completely different scale.

The core issue, according to the piece, lies in the vastly different resource levels. Comparing a Finnish university, primarily funded by public money and offering free tuition, to institutions that charge substantial fees and manage large private endowments is likened to expecting a local football club to consistently compete in the Champions League finals. This disparity in financial backing significantly impacts research capabilities and global standing.

The article points out that a key strength of the Finnish university system is its commitment to free education for all students. This is a valuable asset that should be preserved. However, this public funding model inherently limits resources compared to the world's wealthiest universities. If rankings were adjusted to only include universities with primarily free tuition, Helsingin yliopisto would rank among the top 20-30 globally.

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If the Shanghai ranking only considered universities where degree education is largely free for students, Helsingin yliopisto would rank among the top 20–30.

Furthermore, the current funding model in Finland heavily incentivizes rapid degree production over research. While education is a central task, increasing student numbers without proportional increases in staff and resources inevitably reduces time available for research. The article uses the example of ecological sciences at Helsingin yliopisto, which ranks eighth globally, to show that world-class research is achievable. However, this success relies on competitive national and international research funding, creating a fragile system where excellence must be constantly re-earned through grant applications, hindering long-term research continuity. Building top-tier research takes decades, not just a few years of project funding.

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Top research is not built in a couple of years.