Finland

  The University of Helsinki has a rich history that dates back to 1640 when it was originally established as the Academy of Turku. It used to be known as the Royal Academy of Åbo, founded by Queen Christina of Sweden in Turku. The university's predecessor, the Cathedral School of Åbo, was presumably founded in 1276 to educate boys for service in the Church. (Queen Christina of Sweden, University Founder and patron) In 1828, after the Great Fire of Turku, the university moved to Helsinki and was renamed the Imperial Alexander University in Finland. During this period, when Finland was part of the Russian Empire, the university was expanded significantly under the patronage of Grand Duke Alexander I. The primary task of the university used to be to educate civil servants for the Grand Duchy of Finland. The university adopted the Humboldtian model of education, focusing on scientific methods and the development of new disciplines. In 1917, Finland declared its independence, and the u...