Statement: The Finnish government is undermining UAS graduates
The student union JAMKO agrees with the position taken by advocacy organisations, which calls for equal treatment of higher education students and an amendment to the Ministry of the Interior’s proposal on the reform of the Finnish law on foreigners (Aliens Act). The bill would directly allow permanent residence permits only for university graduates, but not for those with a UAS bachelor’s degree.
From the perspective of the student union, it is incomprehensible that international experts with an equal university degree are placed in a different position without a justifiable reason. This is grossly unequal, contrary to higher education policy objectives and further deepens Finland’s talent shortage.
“With this bill, they are digging the ground out from under their own feet,” says Otso Miettunen, Chairperson of the Board of the Student Union JAMKO. “This would only reinforce negative prejudices against university of applied sciences graduates, which weakens their competitiveness in the labour market. We are also concerned about what such a policy would do to the reputation of the bachelor’s degree, the status of universities of applied sciences and the attractiveness of universities of applied sciences in the Finnish higher education field,” Miettunen lists.
We summarised the shortcomings of the reform of the Aliens Act
- Unfair treatment between qualifications of the same level
In Finland, UAS bachelor’s degrees and university degrees are defined by law at the same level. Nevertheless, the draft law favours university degrees and leaves bachelor’s graduates without the same opportunity. In the draft act, a permanent residence permit could be obtained by completing a bachelor’s degree at a university in Finland and a master’s degree at a university of applied sciences. - Ignoring labour market needs
Bachelor’s degree graduates are in demand in practical fields where there is a great shortage of experts, e.g. social and health care, technology and transport. This makes it more difficult to find labour, as UAS students are required to have a longer study period in order to obtain a permanent residence permit. - Weakening of the attractiveness of UAS degrees
Because it is more difficult to stay in Finland after studies, fewer and fewer international students might want to apply for bachelor’s degrees. A university degree or studying in another country may seem like a more interesting option. - Conflict with educational migration objectives
The Finnish Government aims for 75% of international students to find employment in Finland, and universities of applied sciences have been instructed to increase the number of international students and support their employment. However, tightening the conditions for the admission of UAS students makes it more difficult to achieve these goals.
Further information, Otso Miettunen, Chairperson of the Board, pj@jamko.fi