2022
Rector of University of Oulu visits UCC on UNIC Day
The Rector, and the Director of Development from the University of Oulu, Finland, visited University College Cork (UCC) on UNIC Day, November 3 to celebrate alliance between the institutions via UNIC, the European University of Post-Industrial Cities.
November 3rd marked UNIC Day on campus, when students were invited to learn more about the UNIC alliance and what the European connections can mean for them and for the university. Opportunities for students via UNIC include ERASMUS exchanges, participation in shared modules and free online language modules.
President John O’Halloran welcomed Rector Jouku Niinimäki and Dr Johanna Bluemink to UCC to explore best practices and future collaborations in sustainability, arts and culture, lifelong learning and microcredentials, as well as engaged research with staff members.
Speaking on the day, President John O’Halloran said, "We are delighted to welcome Rector Jouku Niinimäki and Dr Johanna Bluemink from our close partner the University of Oulu, Finland. The European University of Post-Industrial Cities (UNIC) connects our institutions and today on UNIC Day we celebrate this alliance. Today is an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between our universities, but also between the two cities of Cork and Oulu. International links such as these are more important than ever to address current global challenges".
Rector Jouku Niinimäki commented, “this visit has been very useful to better understand the possibilities for co-operation between our institutions. It has also been an opportunity to explore the future of the next phase of the UNIC alliance. I see a lot of similarities between our universities and cities"
UNIC Day was led by UNIC student representatives Alicia Joy O’ Sullivan and Benjamin Bolster. Alicia highlighted the benefits this alliance brings for students, saying, “UNIC Day was a celebration of all the wonderful opportunities and experiences UNIC has to offer our UCC students. Students also had their say on what they want to see from a European University and were excited by the opportunities from UNIC so far.”