Last year, over one quarter of new students of technology and ICT had a nationality from outside Finland.
Representing a vital source of innovation, creativity and skills; the ability of international students to thrive in Finland is vital towards the future of our technology industry and economy. Increasing their retention requires Finland to do its duty in supporting them during their study years, paying back the trust they have placed in the country when moving here.
As highlighted in the recent YLE MOT investigation, this duty of care has for many been lacking, leading to significant financial difficulties, an increased risk of exploitation, food poverty and mental health crisis situations.
Amongst TEK’s membership are over 2000 international students with over 85 listed nationalities. Our potential member fields: including technology, ICT, architecture, maths and physics, constituted almost half of the total number of international university graduates in 2024.
According to TEK’s Student Survey, sent to all non-first year students, the number of non-EU/ETA student members who have significant worries about their financial situation in the near future is now 50%. The rate of those who had summer work has also fallen dramatically.
Students with serious financial worries are not students best able to thrive or to find their place in Finland. Financial concerns impact both studying ability and the ability to take part in social activities. They incentivise rapid study progression, hindering the ability to form the networks and experiences that are vital in building a work life in Finland. They may also lead to serious cases of exploitation or mental health concerns.
Our future technology industry is too reliant on international graduates for the answer simply to be a large blanket reduction of international student numbers. Instead, more must be done to support their situation both before moving to Finland, and while here, from all actors.
Employers must increase their volume of part-time and summer work positions again, including in non-native language positions. Student work is an investment in both the present and the future, and for us to have the skills we need in ten years, we need international students able to find work now.
Universities must ensure they are engaging in ethical student recruitment, avoiding the agent issues highlighted in the MOT investigation and maintaining sustainable student numbers, as well as giving students the education and opportunities that support them in finding work.
The government must adequately fund higher education institutions to ensure international student tuition fees are not a business vital to the institutions’ economic survival. There must also be sufficient support available in monitoring foreign recruitment, as well as working with cities to provide financial support for international student employment.
Finally, trade unions like TEK must do all we can to support the student and working lives of the international students of our fields. That means understanding their individual needs, with platforms in place to hear those from the members themselves.
