The Council of State has delivered a bill to Parliament that would give Finnish polytechnics permission to raise funds independently to support the statutory functions of vocational universities.
Jussi Halttunen, head of the Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, says he considers the bill a welcome proposition.
"Polytechnics weren't granted this right back in the day due to some technical reason. I'm glad this is getting fixed."
However, Halttunen does not believe in any big looming payoff.
"I doubt there'll be any big rush to raise funds, but I'm sure there are situations where the law would provide us with new opportunities," he says.
Two years for principal funding
In addition, the law change would allow polytechnics to organise fundraising to increase their own capital between 2017-2019. Finnish universities and the National Gallery could also capitalise assets until the end of 2019.
The new law is intended to come into effect as soon as possible.
The Ministry of the Interior is currently investigating a full reform of the Money Collection Act. It would guarantee the continuance of fundraising for polytechnics, universities and the National Gallery for the duration of the reform process.