The maturing of students and the opening up of universities

• Osmo Kivinen Turun yliopisto
• Risto Rinne Turun yliopisto https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6123-8392
• Kari Hyppönen Turun yliopisto

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33336/aik.96719

Abstract

The article deals with the subject of the origin of universities’ further education centres, their tasks and current state. The existence of the said centres has made adult education the fourth most important task of universities following research, the associated instruction and the training of researchers. At the same time, the expansion of further education represents the “second wave” in regional policy connected to higher education following the regional expansion of universities which took place in the 1960s and 1970s. The functioning of these centres is also opening up our formerly closed, elitist universities to adults, to those members of society in working life, as well as to collaboration and interaction with their environment.