Steering Group

The Barents Specialists -program is governed by a Steering group, which has the overall responsibility for realizing project objectives. The Steering group will convene up to three times a year in ordinary meetings or through videoconferences. The project was officially opened at a Special Starting Seminar in Murmansk, Russia 21-24.4. 2002 and the first meeting of the Steering group was held in Alta, Norway in 28-30.5. 2002.

The members of the Steering group are:

  • Eero Pekkarinen (Chairperson), Kemi-Tornio Polytechnic
  • Kyösti Kurtakko (Vice Chairperson), University of Lapland
  • Leena Leväsvirta, Kemi-Tornio Polytechnic
  • Kristiina Jokelainen, Rovaniemi Polytechnic
  • Sirkka Saranki-Rantakokko, Rovaniemi Polytechnic
  • Aini Linjakumpu, University of Lapland
  • Hilde-Gunn Londal, Finnmark University College
  • Sonni Olsen Finnmark, University College
  • Mats Engström, Luleå University of Technology
  • Margareta Strömback, Association of Higher Education
    of Eastern Norrbotten
  • Nina Kurganova, Murmansk State Pedagogical
    University
  • Galina Komarova, Arkhangelsk State Technical
    University

Deputy members of the Steering group:

  • Leena Suopajärvi, University of Lapland
  • Simo Koskinen, University of Lapland
  • Matti Lempiäinen, Rovaniemi Polytechnic

Mare Rantaniemi will perform the duties of the Secretary of the Steering Group as a part of her duties as the Programme manager. The Steering group is free to invite sector leaders, specialists or other outside experts to participate in its meetings when such input is seen necessary.

The main tasks of the Steering group:

  • Approve the Financial reports and requests for funding to the various donors
  • Follow-up of expected project outputs and achievements as detailed in the project application
  • Make decisions on the next project activities to be undertaken
  • Set up project timetables and follow their implementation
  • Make decisions on new strategies of cooperation
  • Select the virtual learning environment to be used and make decisions concerning the web portal of the project