A controversial bill is to open the door for private sponsorships of institutions for higher learning. It has not yet been passed into law, but universities are already scouting around for potential sponsors. The Aalto University has managed to get a large share of corporate pledges.

Cocktail parties and other fundraising events are expected to increase as universities solicit outside funding. At the University of Jyväskylä, a company donating 100,000 euros will get a dedicated plaque on the wall of a lecture hall. Private individuals can get a similar plaque for just 20,000 euros.

Targets for private donations vary. The University of Lapland in Rovaniemi has not set any specific target for private sponsorships. Surprisingly, neither have the universities of Helsinki or Tampere. Jyväskylä has set 10 million euros as its sponsorship goal.

Under the rules, donors cannot earmark donations for any specific project or field of research. Nevertheless, critics are worried that donations may gravitate toward institutions focussing on technology and economics, which could lead to a gap between wealthy universities and those getting by with basic funding.