Welcome to the fifth edition of the Climate University (CU) newsletter. In this edition, you will find information on upcoming events and updates on projects relevant to the Climate University network.
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Upcoming events
ACCC Impact Week 14-17 April – CU session 14 April
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The second group of students started the Specialisation Programme in Climate Expertise
The second group of students of the Specialisation Programme in Climate Expertise begun their studies in January 2026. The application for the programme was open in October 2025, and a total of 27 students begun their studies in January 2026. As a kick-start to the 2-year degree education the group spent a few days at the Hyytiälä Forest Station in Juupajoki, Finland.
Read more about kick-start of the programme.
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New cross-study agreement on Climate Change studies
University of Helsinki, Aalto University and Hanken School of Economics have established a new network allowing students to cross-study climate change related courses at the partner universities. The new network is complimentary to Climate University and the network of Sustainability studies.
See bulletin about the new network on studies.helsinki.fi (in Finnish) and read more about the network on the Climate University blog.
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UEF chair of Climate University in 2026
New year, new Climate University Chair! The chair of Climate University in 2026 is University of Eastern Finland (UEF) represented by Professor Elina Oksanen, who is a professor in plant physiology and biotechnology, at the Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences. See the Climate University blog for an interview with Elina and learn about her thoughts on sustainability and education, and the role of the Climate University network in regards to these.
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The 4th ClUVEX Virtual Exchange Week is organised 23-27 February 2026
Dear teachers and coordinators of the Climate University network, please share the message below within your higher education institutions.
CLUVEX (1 ECTS) is a multidisciplinary international student exchange week held online. Cluvex welcomes students from all disciplines and faculties regardless of your background knowledge or the stage of your studies. During the virtual exchange course, we will introduce and discuss the latest scientific knowledge on climate change from multidisciplinary perspectives – natural sciences, social sciences and the arts. You will work with like-minded students from Denmark, Ukraine, Armenia, Finland and other EU and EU neighborhood countries.
This week-long course is suitable for higher education students eager to explore climate change and gain valuable experience collaborating in an international learning environment. Registration for the course is open until 15 February 2026.
See more information about CLUVEX project and Call-for-Students here.
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ACCC Impact Week 2026
The 5th ACCC Impact Week is organised during 14-17 April 2026 in Vuosaari, Sofia Cultural Center, Helsinki. Climate University organises a session “Ilmasto-osaaminen käytäntöön” (in Finnish) on April 14 at 10:30 to 15, followed by a session on “Distance learning opportunities in Europe-Africa collaboration” (in English) and a performance by the Climate Theatre / Ilmastoteatteri (in Finnish).
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Opportunities of distance learning in Africa-Europe collaboration
Distance learning provides opportunities for Africa-Europe collaboration in Higher Education. In this session, speakers from Finland and South Africa will share experiences from their ongoing projects and collaborations in the field of sustainability education.
Speakers: Kaisa Kurki (UniPID), Lee-Ann Modley (University of Johannesburg), Crister Nyberg (Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences), Kathija Yassim (University of Johannesburg) and Hanna Lappalainen (University of Helsinki).
The registration for the ACCC Impact Week is open.
More information about the ACCC Impact Week and registration can be found here.
The Climate University coordination team at University of Helsinki;