University of Oulu opens a new learning and meeting hub in Oulu city centre

The premises cover a total of 700 square metres and will serve as a setting for public lectures and discussions, as well as a place for university students to study independently and work in groups. The aim of the hub is to support learning and community, and to increase the visibility and accessibility of science for the city's residents.

"We want to bring the University of Oulu into the heart of a vibrant city centre and lower the threshold for participating in science and meeting academics. We are also responding to students' wishes for high-quality study facilities in the city centre. This opening will serve as a pilot and testing ground for the university's activities in the city centre," says Marja Jokinen, the university's Communications and Marketing Director.

A multi-purpose venue for studying and events

The ground floor of the two-storey premises will function as a public area where events can be held for around 40 participants and streamed to a wider audience. The venue will be open to everyone during its opening hours.

The upper floor will feature areas suitable for independent study, group work and meetings, for use by University of Oulu students and staff.

"The learning and meeting hub opening in autumn is the first concrete step in implementing the university's real estate strategy. The Isokatu premises were the best option for our needs in Oulu city centre — ready for use quickly. Over the next years, we will gather experience of what kind of premises the university will need in the city centre in the future," says Vesa-Heikki Kemppainen, the university's Real Estate Director.

The landlord is LähiTapiola, a long-standing partner of the university.

Bringing discussion into the heart of the city

Planned event concepts include public lectures, researcher and alumni interviews, discussion series, and workshops open to the public. Seasonally, the hub may host presentations of study offerings, science education activities or short-term science exhibitions.

Event content will be created in collaboration between various actors at the University of Oulu, and the hub will be used to experiment with and develop new ways of engaging with audiences and making the university's work visible.

The new venue will be called learning and meeting hub Ydin.

"The key point is that the university is coming into the city centre, closer to people. It is therefore not our plan to pursue a separate brand for the venue that detaches it from the university. A practical name is nonetheless needed, and Ydin — meaning core, or nucleus in physics — lends itself to many meanings. The venue sits at the core of the city, and within it, you are at the core of learning and knowledge. Ultimately, however, it is the users of the venue who will decide how the name is used in everyday life," explains Marja Jokinen.

Planning of the hub's functions and interior design is currently in its final stages. The exact opening date will depend on confirmation of furniture delivery times.

Architectural visualisations: ARCO Architecture Company