“Anyone can have sisu. It is available to everyone in the world”

What is sisu? How does it help students achieve their goals or leaders make decisions in a complex and rapidly changing world?

Sari Lindblom, Rector of the University of Helsinki, is a professor of university pedagogy and a psychologist who has studied motivation, procrastination, and student learning, among other things. In a video produced by the Universitas 21 university network, Lindblom explains the concept of sisu and how it manifests itself in individuals' lives and in society.

Lindblom's interview kicks off the U21 network's series The Leadership Atlas, a global journey into the philosophies that shape how university leaders navigate complexity, inspire their communities, and imagine the future.

"Sisu is not in the Finns' genes - it is an attitude. Anyone can have sisu. It is available to everyone in the world," says Lindblom.

Continue reading after the video.

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Strong international collaboration

The University of Helsinki joined the Universitas 21 network in 2025. The international network brings together world-leading universities around the world and offers new opportunities for global collaboration for students, researchers and other university staff.

For students, the network provides a wide range of opportunities to develop the skills required in an interconnected world. These include, for example, international programmes and networking opportunities.

For researchers, the network offers opportunities for joint research initiatives, as well as workshops supporting early-career development by expanding international networks and fostering interdisciplinary research projects.

Various platforms of expertise and collaboration forums bring together specialists from across the globe. These forums enable participants to develop their work and exchange best practices with colleagues worldwide.

For the University of Helsinki, Universitas 21 is also an attractive network because it places a strong emphasis on sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion - values to which the University of Helsinki is firmly committed.

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