#university of helsinki

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Electric sparks are used for welding, powering electronics, killing germs or for igniting the fuel in some car engines. Despite their usefulness, they are hard to control in open space, they split into chaotic branches that tend to go towards the closest metallic objects. A recent study uncovers a way of transporting electricity through air by ultrasonic waves. The level of control of the electric sparks allows to guide the spark around obstacles, or to make it hit specific spots, even into non-conductive materials. "We observed this phenomenon more than one year ago, then it took us months to control it, and even longer to find an explanation," says Dr. Asier Marzo from the Public University of Spain, lead researcher of the work.

Read more.

[sistersorrow]

Fun fact: someone at the University of Helsinki wrote a paperabout 4chan's /lgbt/ board and its terminology

[pianonoita]

Help preserve the teaching of ancient material culture at the University of Helsinki!

If you're a student, a researcher or a teacher of Latin, Greek, or classical archaeology, or just generally interested in classics, this is for you!

University of Helsinki is planning to disband the teaching of Ancient Culture, starting from the summer of 2024. This includes the subjects of Greek and Roman archaeology and material culture of the ancient world; a discipline previously known as classical archaeology. The signatories of this petition demand that the regular contact teaching of Ancient Culture or classical archaeology will continue at the University of Helsinki, and this way in Finland. The optimal solution to this would be the re-opening of the position of university lecturer of classical archaeology, and selecting a new lecturer to this position. This way the continuation of teaching will be ensured in a discipline that ultimately is one of the cornerstones of European civilisation.

The teaching of material cultures of the ancient world supports the studies of philology, other humanistic disciplines, and the understanding of European history of civilisation and cultural heritage. Competent teaching has been a requirement for the high-profile projects taking place at the University of Helsinki, and the research at Finnish Institutes in Rome, Athens, and Middle East. The experts of the field have made it possible to organise various popular exhibitions that have brought research of antiquity and its legacy into the knowledge of larger audiences.  

The teaching of classical archaeology first began in Finland in the 1780s. At the University of Helsinki, the basic studies (15 study points) have been available for students since the early 1980s, and the intermediate studies (30 study points) since the early 1990s. After the discontinuation of the lectureship of classical archaeology in Oulu, the University of Helsinki offered regular contact teaching of classical archaeology as the only instance in the country between 2014-2018. Until 2018, classical archaeology also had the status of an independent discipline. Since then, teaching has been organised with multiple projects from different disciplines, and students have been able to complete two study modules of 15 and 30 study points, or 3-6 courses respectively.

Now the university plans to disband the teaching and discontinue the study modules. The courses have been extremely popular among the students. The arguments used in support of not opening the position of lecturer of classical archaeology in 2018 included the excellent resources of the discipline in relation to number of students. Now the decision to discontinue the teaching is supported by claims that the discipline is unable to provide a long-term solution to the unstable teaching situation, and students do not complete the entire study modules, only isolated courses. Re-opening the position of lecturer of classical archaeology is the only long-term solution that benefits both students and the university; it secures competent teaching, enables the completion of study modules, and brings stability to the uncertain situation that has lasted for years.

By discontinuing the teaching of ancient material culture and disbanding the study modules, the University of Helsinki debases both teaching and research, and erodes its own status as a European elite university that regards sophistication and civilisation as its key values. This decision will drive away both students and international experts, as well as funding for research projects. By opening the position of lecturer of classical archaeology and selecting a new lecturer to this position, University of Helsinki can ensure the continuation of expertise appreciated in the academic world, in Finland, and in the international arenas.

More information on the history of teaching ancient material culture and classical archaeology in Finland: http://www.taidehistorianseura.fi/tiedotteet/taidehistoriallisia-tutkimuksia-50/

Statement by the student organisation of Ancient Languages and Cultures, Symposion ry: https://rostrasymposion.wixsite.com/rostra/post/symposion-ry-n-kannanotto-antiikin-kulttuurin-opetuksen-puolesta

Please consider signing the petition and spread the word! This would be a huge tragedy for the teaching of classical philology and archaeology in Finland! The decision is not yet final, so we still have a chance to make a difference!

The petition site is unfortunately only in Finnish. The site will ask your name and email address to sign the petition, but you can choose not to share your name publicly. Your email address will not be published anywhere. You can also leave your own comments.

Thank you so much for helping! <3

-Sofia, the chair of Symposion, student organisation of classics at the University of Helsinki

[10bmnews]

Penguin poo plays a surprising role in Antarctic climate cooling: Study - The Times of India

This is an AI-generated image, used for representational purposes only. In an unexpected discovery, scientists have found that penguin droppings or guano may be helping cool Antarctica by triggering cloud formation that reflects sunlight away from Earth. The new study, published in Communications Earth & Environment, shows that ammonia released from penguin colonies significantly boosts the…

[akannuoli-aatteet]

Students For Palestine Finland have had an encampment in front of one of the uni buildings for a while before the uni came out with this news. The protestors think that what the University did is not enough.

studentsforpalestinefinland on Instagram:

Also an additional video of the protesters reacting to the news, if you are interested (spoken English, no subtitles):

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @studentsforpalestinefinland

Also the encampment was harshly disbanded using police force later:

If you want more information, I recommend Students For Palestine Finland's Instagram account, they also have a lot of posts in English or in English and Finnish!

Finland's University of Helsinki has suspended all student exchange programmes with Israeli institutions, according to Yle News.

The university made this decision as a result of the

"catastrophic deterioration" of the humanitarian situation due to Israel's war on Gaza.

The university went further to emphasise that it is ready to help rebuild Gaza's higher education and research system once it becomes possible.

Source: Mintpress

[escinsight]

Politics and Fun at Junior Eurovision: Interviewing Academic Zoë Jay

Politics and Fun at Junior Eurovision. We speak to Zoë Jay who has just published "Be Creative, Be Friends and Share Cultural Experiences": Genre, Politics, and Fun at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, to understand how politics flows through the EBU's signature children's competition.

“Well, um, because no one else seems to be.” These were the first words that Zoë Jay, a researcher at the University of Helsinki, gave as we sat down to talk about her latest research. My first question was the obvious one, why would one research this niche topic within a niche topic? That topic was Junior Eurovision. “There just wasn’t anything that looked at it as an event in its own right,”…

[mehilaiselokuva]

Finnish university unspoken social rules (+ handy rules for exchange here)

Because someone gave me this idea in my first unspoken rules post! Same disclaimers as before: these might vary or not be true at all. Just what I and others have observed! Some of these might also be pretty universal so take what you need!

If you get a pair of student overalls, you might need to know the "unspoken written rules", a.k.a. these rules that apply to overall wearing. You might not be told what these rules are or that they even exist but you Must Not break them. Read up!

The faculty are your equals. You can drop Mr. Mrs. and Professor when speaking about them (unless you are in an especially formal situation). It varies from person to person what the students call them so listen in on the Finnish students; they usually copy what they hear the most. Some of my professors are called by their first name and some by their last name.

More on above: you are expected to email your teachers/professors as soon as you have a question. Email etiquette is usually very relaxed. Teachers will generally not care if you send a "Hi (last name). How do I open this file. Thanks" type message.

You might think of the finns as very shy people, but university might be one of the big expectations. Usually, during orientation week, everyone is looking for friends. Do not be shy to interrupt anyone and ask for directions! We have been there once too!

Studying at the campuses and libraries is common, but remember to check if your university labels study spots by type. Our university has different types depending on how loud you can be and if you can eat snacks there or not. It's a big no-no to bring your friends to chat at the no-food-no-eating-no-keyboard-noise spot!

You might come from a country where university is still done on paper, but here everything is digital. You usually need some kind of digital device to access files and stuff. I myself write my notes on paper but have my phone with me and access anything through that. (You might come across mysterious and cool if you handwrite your notes as digitally typing your notes is more common!)

Most exams are digital, so if you have an exam coming, check what kind it is (paper or computer) and bring what applies. Not bringing in the correct medium might automatically fail your course if your teacher is strict!

Depending on what kind of course you are taking, review the conventions for citing things & essay forming. I have found that the Finnish standard is different to some other western conventions I have come across. Ask your instructors right away if you have questions. Some instructors want you to use different citing styles or require certain font sizes!

Faculty generally do not care if you can't make that 10am lecture on monday. They are tired too. They had a few sunday afternoon drinks just like you did. Take notes on the first day of the course on this! You do not need to email or contact your teacher for being late or not showing up. (varies greatly by teacher and course so remember to check what each instructor wants)

Student organizations hold many types of events, many of which include drinking. Inquire from your organization if they offer alcohol-free drinks at a function if you need to. Often, some alcoholic beverage might be included for free in the ticket cost you pay. Be ready to be around drunk people if you decide to enter such event.

I could go on and on honestly! I wish I was informed about some of these rules when I first entered the university world...

[sitting-on-me-bum]

"Slime mold (Cribraria cancellata)."

Henri Koskinen

Helsinki University Helsinki, Uudenmaan lääni, Finland

Nikon Small World Photomicrography Contest

[hel-looks]

Paulina, 28

“I’m wearing an aviator coat and leather vest, both are second hand. Dress is from Samsøe Samsøe. My style tip for cold weather is to wear oversized clothes that can be used as a body bag when you freeze to death.”

18 November 2023, Otaniemi

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Researchers develop increasingly sustainable methods for dissolving gold, silver and copper from recycled materials

Waste from computers and cell phones, solar panels and other discarded electronics are becoming an important source of noble metals alongside mining. Researchers at the University of Helsinki have developed sustainable dissolution methods for noble metals. The extraction methods currently in use consume a lot of energy and are detrimental to the environment. The method of roasting is particularly dangerous for its practitioners and the environment because it releases hazardous chemicals. In developing countries, noble metals are to this day extracted under crude conditions in landfills. Even though advanced hydrometallurgical processes are safer and able to dissolve noble metals, the result is metal mixtures that require further processing. The findings of the Catalysis and Green Chemistry research group headed by Professor of Chemistry Timo Repo have been published in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

Read more.

[nando161mando]

▶️ Finnish police suppress a student sit-in outside the University of Helsinki in protest against the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

[news4dzhozhar]

[vilequarter]

I haven't seen much talk about this but there's a small group of students starting up a similar protest to the ones going on around the world. I figured it'd be good to try to spread the word as much as possible to help this gain momentum.

[outlying-hyppocrate]

did you know homonculus-argument speaks finnish?

well. i mean. i knew they were finnish!! and normally when someone is finnish they. speak finnish. also. 👍 (<- an outlier and should not be counted)

[the-acid-pear]

Money Heist is kinda funny bc their whole thing was that they wanted to NOT hurt the hostages because they wanted to appear LIKEABLE but both tokyo and berlin fucking raped someone, well, for tokyo it was more like sexual harassment, but she was a FUCKING MINOR, so you know. Like imagine getting out of this whole situation and these ppl are being painted out as heroes i think i'd become the joker or something man.

[laulappa]