Decision-making and Advisory Bodies

The Administration of the School

All universities in Finland, Hanken among them, are primarily regulated by the Universities Act (558/2009) and the Universities Decree (770/2009). The most important internal rules for the School are found under Rules and Regulations.

The University Council

The University Council has 18 members representing the different personnel groups at Hanken and the students. The Council appoints the external members of the Board, the auditors for the School and the Academic Council. It approves the financial statement and grants the Board and the rector a discharge from liability.

• Read more about the University Council

The Board

The Board is the highest decision-making body of the School. It consists of 10 members, four of whom are employed by the School, four are external members while two represent the student body. The elected Chair is always external; at present Christoph Vitzthum is chair of the Board.

The Board decides on most issues of a strategic nature, such as the activity and economic plan as well as the budget. The Board is responsible for the economy of the School and the allocation of its funds. The Board must approve the performance agreement with the Ministry for Education. The Board appoints the Rector and decides on admissions. The Rector is not a member of the Board but is responsible for the preparation and presentation of matters which come before the Board .

• Read more about the Board of Hanken

The Rector and Deans

The Board appoints the Rector for a period of maximum five years at a time. The Board appoints a minimum of two Deans proposed by the Rector.

The Rector exercises general authority as stated in the Universities Act, i.e. she heads the school, she is responsible for preparing and carrying out the decisions of the Board and takes decisions on all matters that are not expressly the business of some other body. The Rector employs most of Hanken's personnel.

• Read more about Rector and Deans

Academic Councils

Hanken has an Academic Council with two sections: the Research Council and the Education Council. When the sections convene together they form the Academic Council. The Academic Council coordinates the quality assurance regarding education and research and addresses strategic initiatives on education and research. The Rector is the chair of the AC.

The Research Council develops and evaluates research and the doctoral programme, and acts as editorial board for Hanken’s publication series. The Education Council develops and evaluates the education and pedagogy at Hanken. Both sections are chaired by a Dean.

• Read more about the Academic Council

The Board of Appeal

The Board of Appeal is a legal body, which tries claims for redress regarding completed courses. It is appointed by the Board of Hanken and consists of a professor as Chair and two other members, one of whom must hold a PhD and the other be a student.

• Read about legal protection concerning grading

The Departments and the Department Councils

Hanken's four departments are run by the respective heads of each department and a Department Council. Both are appointed by the Rector and proposed by the teachers and researchers of the department.