Finland may deprive Turku of Russian language programs

Teachers of Finnish universities opposed the plans of the Abo Academy in Turku to stop training specialists in Russian language and literature. According to the publication Yle, the leadership of the university explains the possible closure by reducing the number of applicants, but scientists believe that the need for such specialists persists.

Abo Academy Honorary Professor Martina Bjerklund called the news of the possible termination of the program an unpleasant surprise. In her opinion, the complete closure of the direction would be a mistake, since knowledge of the Russian language is necessary for a number of state structures.

“The Russian language is needed everywhere: in the defense sector, the border guard and the pension and social department,” Bjerklund said.

She suggested not to abandon the training completely, but to temporarily reduce the enrollment and assess whether the interest of applicants will change. The professor stressed that it will be much more difficult to resume a closed program than to keep it with a reduced admission.

The main argument of the university leadership was the indicators of recruitment. In 2022, 63 applications were received for the master’s program, while in 2025 their number decreased to eight. At the same time, the university expected to accept only five people for training every year.

In 2026, interest in the magistracy increased slightly: 16 people applied, but four started classes. Two students were admitted to the bachelor’s program, but in fact, one began training.

Kari Liuchto, a professor at the University of Turku who specializes in Russian research and intelligence, also criticized the prospect of closing the direction. He drew attention to the need for specialists with knowledge of the Russian language in NATO structures and foreign ministries.

According to Liuchto, without knowledge of the Russian language it is impossible to study Russia in depth.

The situation in Turku is complicated by the fact that the University of Turku has already stopped training in Russian as a separate specialty. The recruitment of students was completed in 2016, and in 2021 the direction was finally closed. If the Abo Academy makes a similar decision, it will no longer be possible to get a specialized education in Russian in the city.

The rector of the Abo Academy, Gunilla Wieden, explained the position of the leadership by financial circumstances. According to her, the university depends on the number of diplomas issued, and the current number of students is not enough to continue the program. Keeping at least a bachelor’s degree is also not considered a financially feasible option: the situation of the institution is expected to become even more difficult.

A final decision to close the program has not yet been made. The implementation of these plans requires the approval of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland.

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